Cost to Sell a House in Oregon: Seller Closing Costs Revealed

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  Written by Greg Isaacson

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  Edited by Steve Nicastro

Cost to sell in Oregon | Realtor commission | How to save | Closing cost calculator | FAQs

The average cost to sell a house in Oregon is 5.64% of a home’s final sale price, which includes realtor commission (4.99% of the sale price) and seller closing costs (0.7%). 

That means it costs home sellers in the Beaver State an average of $26,617 to sell a home priced at $474,360 (Oregon’s average home price).

However, Oregon realtor commission and seller closing cost figures vary widely by market.

You can also save big by using an agent-matching service to sell your home. For example, Clever Real Estate has negotiated a reduced listing commission of 1.5% for Oregon sellers – far lower than the statewide average rate of 2.54%.

Here’s a complete breakdown of the costs of selling a house in Oregon, including tips on how to save on your sale.

Cost of selling a house in Oregon

*Costs assume a sale price of $474,360. Numbers are rounded off and may not be 100% precise.

It’s relatively expensive to sell a house in Oregon. The table above shows that it costs 5.64% when factoring in realtor commissions and closing costs.

That’s lower than the national average of 6.53%. But given Oregon’s lofty home values, it’s significantly more expensive to sell on a total cost basis compared to the national average.

Overall home prices in Oregon are in the mid-range compared to neighboring states — higher than in Idaho and Nevada but lower than in California and Washington State.

Oregon’s cost to sell as a percentage of the home price is low, but the state’s average cost to sell in dollars at $26,617 is still higher than in Idaho and Nevada.

Home values vary quite a bit across Oregon, so your total home sale costs will also vary. Among Oregon’s five largest counties by population, median sale prices ranged from $440,900 in Marion County to $620,000 in Clackamas County, according to the most recent figures from Redfin. Get a free CMA from a local real estate agent now!

Here’s an example of your potential costs at various price points, including realtor fees and seller closing costs.

Here are the main factors impacting your Oregon home sale costs. 

Typical Oregon realtor fees in your area

While the state-wide average rate is 4.99%, rates may be higher or lower depending on what’s normal in your area. 

Your success (or failure) in negotiating rates

Realtor fees aren’t fixed — they are completely negotiable. You may be able to negotiate a rate lower than what’s typical in your area. 

How you find a realtor

You can potentially save thousands in realtor fees by using an agent-matching service like Clever Real Estate to find a realtor. Clever has pre-negotiated a 1.5% listing agent fee with agents in its network, much lower than the typical listing agent commission rate of 2.54%.

Optional costs

The estimated total cost to sell of 5.64% in Oregon does not include other potential costs like home staging, deep cleaning, and pre-listing repairs, which could add thousands more to your home sale costs. 

Your negotiated contract

Oregon closing costs are split between the buyer and seller in most transactions. Sellers typically pay all commissions, owner’s title insurance, title transfer fees, recording fees, and prorated property taxes.

Home sellers may also be on the hook for attorney fees, home preparation costs, homeowners association (HOA) fees, a mortgage payoff, and any concessions to the buyer.

Buyers take on most of the other expenses including inspection costs, appraisal and due diligence costs, lender’s title insurance, and buyer closing costs for their mortgage.

Here’s a deeper look at your expected home sale costs.

1. Oregon realtor commission (4.99%)

Oregon home sellers pay an average of 4.99% of the home’s sale price on realtor commissions, which is deducted from the seller’s net proceeds at closing. That fee covers both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent commission.

Your actual cost depends on your home’s value. Here’s what you might expect to pay in realtor fees at various price points. 

*Median sale prices as of June 2022 according to Redfin. Commission costs assume an average realtor commission of 4.99%.

How to save on Oregon realtor fees

Here are some tips on how to save money on your home sale. 

Use a discount broker

A discount real estate broker is a company that offers sellers a reduced commission fee with no strings attached. The broker’s listing agents charge less than the average rate, such as a 1% listing fee vs. the typical 2.5%-3% rate. 

Selling at a higher price point leads to even bigger commission savings using a discount broker vs. finding a realtor through traditional sources, like through a family member or friend. 

For example, Clever offers listing fees of just 1.5%, compared to the average Oregon listing commission rate of 2.54%. That could save you more than $13,000 on a $500,000 home sale.

Agents that partner with these firms also provide all of the services you’d expect to receive from a traditional realtor. The service is free to try with no obligation, so it’s worth starting out here. 

» MORE: The Best Discount Brokers for Every Budget

List your home without a realtor

You can avoid paying Oregon listing commission entirely by selling without a realtor. Expect to save 2.54% off of your home sale. 

However, the typical FSBO home sells for close to $60,000 less than agent-listed homes, according to the National Association of Realtors, so you might lose money on the sale. You’ll also be on the hook for all of the tasks normally handled by a real estate professional.

Negotiate a lower rate

Agent commissions aren’t set in stone. There’s no law setting a fixed realtor fee in any part of the country, including Oregon, so you can try to negotiate a lower commission rate with your realtor.

Negotiating commission is more likely to work on a high-value property, since the agent will still earn a substantial commission on the home sale, despite the lower rate.

You also have more wiggle room to reduce the commission rate if you plan to buy a new home with the same agent that’s helping you sell.

» LEARN: How to choose the right listing agent 

2. Closing costs for sellers in Oregon (0.7%)

Seller closing costs typically add another cost of 0.7% or more to the home’s final sale price, according to our data. (Closing costs do not include realtor commission.)

Based on the average Oregon home value of $474,360, the typical home sellers pays $2,946 in closing costs.

Oregon seller closing costs typically include owner’s title insurance, title transfer fees, recording fees, transfer tax (in Washington County only), and prorated property taxes.

Other seller fees could include attorney fees, Homeowners Association (HOA) fees, and mortgage payoff and/or prepayment penalties.

Buyers are generally on the hook for the appraisal fee, survey fee, and — if they are taking out a mortgage — lender’s title insurance and loan origination fees.

They may also be paying for homeowners insurance, a home warranty, and their own attorney’s fees.

Oregon owner’s title insurance

Title insurance protects home buyers or lenders from losses arising after the transaction due to previously unknown issues with the property’s ownership or title.

Owner’s title insurance protects the owner’s interest in the property, whereas lender’s title insurance protects the financial institution. Oregon home sellers need to purchase an owner’s title insurance policy to cover the home’s transfer of ownership to the buyer.

Title insurance rates vary, but the seller can expect to pay roughly $1,350 for a $500,000 home, according to an article by Stephen FitzMaurice, a principal broker with eXp Realty in Oregon. FitzMaurice adds that this cost generally cannot be passed on to the buyer.

Title transfer fees

A title search must also be conducted before the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer. In a title search, a title inspector checks county and state records and documents the property’s chain of ownership.

Title searches are recommended for every real estate transaction and required for any transaction with a mortgage. Your Oregon real estate agent can recommend a good title company to perform the title search. Title search fees are usually no more than $200, according to Oregon Home Team.

A third party, typically a title company, will also charge a fee to open an escrow account. The escrow fee is traditionally split down the middle by the seller and the buyer in Oregon.

FitzMaurice reports that the current escrow formula is $1 per $1,000 of the home price, plus $1,200. So for a $500,000 home, escrow closets would total approximately $1,700, with the seller and the buyer each paying $850.

Recording fees

Government agencies charge recording fees to register the purchase or sale of a piece of real estate. Oregon home sellers face average recording fees of $335, much higher the national average of $0.

Recording fees vary by county. For example, in Multnomah County, the fee for deeds and mortgages is $86 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. In Polk County, the recording fee for documents is $91 for the first page and $5 for each subsequent page.

Transfer taxes

There are no transfer taxes in the state of Oregon, with the exception of Washington County. In that location, real estate transactions are subject to a transfer tax rate of $1 for every $1,000 of the sale price.

For example, a $500,000 home merits a transfer tax of $500 and is traditionally split between the buyer and seller.

Prorated property taxes

Oregon home sellers are required to pay property taxes on the days they’ve owned their home in the calendar year. Taxes are prorated and split between the seller and buyer. 

The tax is due at closing. Actual costs depend on your annual taxes, and how many days you live in your home up until the closing date. 

Speak with your agent or attorney for more details on what you might owe in prorated taxes. 

3. Other potential costs

Attorney fees

Oregon law does not require home sellers to hire an attorney to handle the closing, but it may be a good idea to have a lawyer on your side if you have any questions about the transaction or your responsibilities as a seller.

Real estate attorneys review all of your contracts and legal documents and protect you from potential issues that may arise during your sale. A good attorney can help you navigate a complex transaction and provide some peace of mind.

Each law firm sets its own legal fees. Real estate attorneys charge an average of $262 per hour in Oregon, according to legal technology firm Clio.

» LEARN: Do I Need a Lawyer to Sell My House?

Home preparation costs 

Preparing your home for sale could add thousands more to your total upfront costs.

Home staging costs between $745 to $2,659 on average in the U.S., according to HomeAdvisor. Actual costs vary widely depending on location, the size of the home, and the number of rooms being furnished.

Expect to spend at least $300 for a deep cleaning, if required. Finally, pre-listing home repairs and improvements could add hundreds, if not thousands more to your budget, depending on your home’s condition.

Homeowners association dues

You may owe homeowners association (HOA) dues if your home is located in an HOA community. Sellers are typically responsible for covering a prorated amount of their annual membership dues at closing.

If the HOA charges fees to transfer homeownership records to the buyer at closing, the seller usually pays them. Costs vary between communities, but they commonly range from $150 to $500. Check with your agent, attorney, or HOA board for more information on what you might owe.

Buyer’s closing costs

In addition to the costs outlined above, buyers may request that sellers cover some of their closing costs. Seller concessions include anything that the seller gives the buyer to close the deal.

Seller concessions often come in the form of seller credits towards the buyer’s closing costs — 2-3% of the home’s sale price is common — or home warranty policies. However, they can also include compromises that don’t hold monetary value, such as an agreement to close on a date that’s preferable to the buyer.

Lender’s title insurance

Lender’s title insurance is required for buyers taking out a mortgage and protects the financial institution from any losses that arise from a fault in the title.

Title insurance is paid up front at the closing and usually appears in the loan documentation as a “title service fee,” according to FitzMaurice.

Home warranty

A home warranty offers the homeowner protection from high repair costs on major appliances and electrical and plumbing systems. The homeowner pays an annual or semi-annual premium and enjoys reduced service rates when a technician comes to evaluate or fix a problem.

The annual premium for a home warranty in Oregon averages around $562 for a single-family home, according to Review Home Warranties. Premiums for townhomes and condos are lower at about $484 and $568, while premiums for multi-family homes average $1,051.

Sellers may offer to pay for a home warranty premium as a buyer incentive in Oregon. Covering this cost provides some peace of mind to potential buyers, which could sweeten the deal and result in a faster sale or more lucrative sale.

Inspection fees

The cost of a standard home inspection averages $460 in Oregon, according to PacWest Home Inspections, which serves the Portland metro area. Costs vary based on the size of the property — ranging from $300 or less for a house or condo that’s under 1,000 square feet, to $500-600 or more for a house that’s over 2,000 square feet.

A standard home inspection includes checking appliances, plumbing systems, the foundation, roof, and attic, the general condition of the house, and other basic items. Radon testing, mold, asbestos, lead paint inspections, and sewer scope inspections incur additional costs.

Buyers generally pay for inspections, but it may be helpful for you to order a home inspection before listing your property. Pre-listing inspections allow you to identify any problems with the house before the buyer can discover them, so there are fewer surprises during negotiations.

Capital gains tax

The IRS offers a tax break on capital gains from the sale of your primary residence, as long as you meet certain requirements:

• Single homeowners can deduct up to $250,000 of gains from the sale of their property;
• Married couples can deduct up to $500,000 of gains. 
• You must have occupied the property for at least two of the past five years. 
• You can also deduct certain repairs and improvements from your home’s cost basis. 

» LEARN: How to avoid capital gains on a home sale

Cost of selling a house in Oregon calculator

Use our calculator to get a rough estimate of what you might walk away with in your home sale. Change the home sale price and closing costs to fit your particular situation. If you’re not sure what your home is worth, use a free home value estimator or contact a local realtor for more help.

For more accurate closing cost figures, we recommend finding a local realtor to provide you with a free seller’s net sheet: a personalized document that estimates how much you may earn in your home sale. 

Oregon closing costs: FAQs

Recommended reading

The True Costs of Selling a Home Revealed: What does it really cost to sell a house in the U.S.? We explore all of the common expenses in a home sale, and how you can save thousands.

How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in Oregon: Selling a home For Sale by Owner (FSBO) in Oregon means you won’t have to pay a listing commission, but there are major challenges you should learn about first.

How to Find a Realtor: Find out how you can connect with a great real estate agent. We help you zero in on the best approach, whether you’re selling or buying.

Seller Net Sheet Guide: Learn how a net sheet can help you estimate your potential home sale proceeds, and how to get one for free.

Negotiating Realtor Commission: Knocking your real estate commission down just one percentage point could save you a ton of money on your home sale.