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

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  Written by Greg Isaacson

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  Edited by Steve Nicastro

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

The average cost to sell a house in Wisconsin is 6.61% of a home’s final sale price, which includes realtor commission (5.67% of the sale price) and seller closing costs (0.9%). 

It costs home sellers in the Badger State an average of $16,596 to sell a home priced at $250,226 (Wisconsin’s average home price).

However, Wisconsin realtor commission and seller closing cost figures vary widely by market, and 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% – far lower than the average Wisconsin rate of 3.12%.

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

Cost of selling a house in Wisconsin

*Costs assume a sale price of $250,226. Numbers are rounded off and may not be 100% precise.

The cost of selling a home in Wisconsin is about average for the U.S. The table above shows that it costs 6.61% of the home’s purchase price when factoring in realtor commissions and seller closing costs.

That’s slightly higher than the national average of 6.53%. And with Wisconsin’s relatively low home values, it’s significantly cheaper to sell on a total cost basis compared to the national average.

Overall home prices in Wisconsin are roughly average for the region. Michigan and Iowa have lower home prices, while Minnesota and Illinois are higher. 

Wisconsin’s cost to sell as a percentage of the home price is also about average at 6.61%. Sellers pay an average of $16,596 in Wisconsin.

Home values vary quite a bit across Wisconsin, so your total home sale costs will also vary. Among Wisconsin’s five largest counties by population, the median sale price in July ranged from $188,250 in Racine County to $392,000 in Dane County, according to Redfin data.

To determine the current market value of your home, you can ask a real estate agent for a comparative market analysis (CMA). Many realtors are happy to provide a free CMA report when you contact them about listing your home. (It’s a way for them to show they’re knowledgeable about the local market and hopefully earn your future business.)

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

The main factors impacting your Wisconsin home sale costs include: 

Typical real estate agent commission in your area

While the state-wide average rate is 5.67%, 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 3.12%.

Optional costs

The estimated total cost to sell of 6.61% in Wisconsin 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

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

Sellers may also be responsible for home preparation costs, a pre-listing appraisal and inspection, attorney fees, homeowners association (HOA) fees, and a mortgage payoff.

Buyers take on the other expenses, which generally include appraisal and inspection fees, lender’s title insurance, a home warranty, and buyer closing costs for the mortgage such as an origination fee.

Sellers may offer to cover certain buyer closing costs to motivate potential buyers to submit an offer. This practice is more likely if your housing market currently favors buyers over sellers.

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

1. Wisconsin realtor commission (5.67%)

Wisconsin home sellers pay an average of 5.67% of the home’s sale price on realtor commissions, which is deducted from the seller’s net proceeds at closing. The 5.67% fee covers both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent commission.

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

*Median sale prices as of July 2022 according to Redfin. Commission costs assume an average realtor commission of 5.67%.

How to save on Wisconsin realtor fees

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

Use a discount broker

A discount real estate broker offers sellers a reduced commission fee with no strings attached. The broker’s listing agents charge less than the average rate, such as a 1-2% listing fee vs. the typical 2.5%-3% rate.

For example, Clever offers listing fees of just 1.5%, compared to the average Wisconsin listing commission rate of 3.12%.

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 here. 

» MORE: The Best Discount Brokers for Every Budget

List your home without a realtor

You can avoid paying Wisconsin listing commission entirely by selling without a realtor. Expect to save 3.12% off of your home sale, since you avoid paying the listing agent commission.

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 listing agent.

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 Wisconsin, so you can try to negotiate a lower commission rate with your realtor.

You may have more luck reducing the commission rate if you plan to buy a new home with the same agent that’s helping you sell since the agent will earn a commission on both transactions.

Negotiating commission may also work on a high-value property, since the agent will still earn a substantial commission on the home sale, despite the lower rate.

2. Closing costs for sellers in Wisconsin (0.9%)

Seller closing costs typically add another cost of 0.9% or more to the home’s final sale price, according to our data. (Closing costs do not include realtor commission.)

Based on the average Wisconsin home value of $250,226, the typical home seller pays $2,408 in closing costs.

Wisconsin seller closing costs typically include an owner’s title insurance premium, transfer taxes, prorated property taxes, title service fees, and recording fees.

The seller might also be responsible for attorney fees, home preparation costs, a pre-listing appraisal and inspection, a land survey, HOA fees, and a mortgage payoff.

Buyers are on the hook for everything else, which could include appraisal and inspection fees, lender’s title insurance, a home warranty, and buyer closing costs for the mortgage.

The exact breakdown of closing costs between the buyer and seller varies with each transaction. The purchase and sale agreement spells out who is responsible for paying each cost.

If the local market is more favorable to buyers, the seller may agree to cover certain buyer closing costs, such as the attorney’s fee, inspection fee, or title insurance cost.

Owner’s title insurance

Title insurance protects home buyers or lenders from possible losses arising after the transaction due to issues with the property’s ownership or title. An owner’s policy protects the buyer’s interest in the property, whereas a lender’s policy protects the lending institution.

Both policies are issued at closing. The home seller generally pays for owner’s title insurance in Wisconsin, while the buyer pays for lender’s title insurance. Title insurance costs Wisconsin sellers an average of $1,131, according to our data.

Transfer taxes

Wisconsin charges a transfer tax on every home sale. The statewide transfer tax rate is $0.30 for every $100 of the purchase price. Thus, you’d owe a $750 transfer tax on a home that sells for $250,000.

Sellers pay their transfer taxes by submitting an Electronic Real Estate Transfer Return (eRETR) through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The local county government accepts the property transfer (conveyance of recording) upon collection of this fee.

Prorated property taxes

Wisconsin home sellers must 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 realtor or attorney for more details on what you might owe in prorated taxes.

Title service fees

A title company provides several services to facilitate your home sale in Wisconsin, including a title search and title transfer.

A title search involves a title inspector checking county and state records and documenting the property’s chain of ownership before the property transfers from the seller to the buyer.

The cost of the services varies in Wisconsin, but Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund charges a $275 closing fee that includes the preparation of the closing statement, deed, and transfer return form. The company bundles the cost of a full title search with the owner’s title insurance premium.

Recording fees

Each county’s Register of Deeds keeps track of home ownership records and charges a recording fee when a property changes hands. The standard recording fee in Wisconsin is $30 per document, regardless of the number of pages.

3. Other potential costs

Attorney fees

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

For a home sale involving any legal issues — such as easements, liens, title defects, or zoning restrictions — it’s advisable to hire a real estate attorney. An attorney can offer legal advice, review your documents, and help you avoid costly mistakes.

The average hourly rate for real estate attorneys in Wisconsin is $279, according to legal technology firm Clio. Some Wisconsin law firms charge a flat fee service for home sellers that covers the entire process from the offer through closing.

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

Home preparation costs 

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

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

Regardless of your choice, you need high-quality photos of your house to display online. Professional photos can cost $100–300, but your real estate agent will likely arrange and pay for this.

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 to your budget, depending on your home’s condition.

Pre-listing appraisal and inspection

An appraisal is a professional estimation of a home’s value. Buyers usually pay for appraisals in Wisconsin, but obtaining a pre-sale appraisal can give you a more accurate starting point for pricing your home.

The cost of an appraisal for a single-family home in Wisconsin ranges from $232–367, averaging $300, according to ProMatcher.

You may also want to consider ordering a pre-listing inspection to identify any problems with the house before the buyer can discover them, so there are fewer surprises during negotiations.

Home inspection services in Wisconsin typically range from $242–338 for a 2,000-square-foot house, averaging $290, according to ProMatcher. Mad City Dream Homes reports that most home inspections in Madison cost between $300-500.

Land survey

A land survey defines the legal boundaries of your property. It’s a good idea to hire a surveyor if you’re unsure about the precise location of your property’s lot lines. In many cases, the buyer’s lender requires a land survey for the mortgage loan.

In Wisconsin, the party requesting the land survey typically pays for it, but it’s negotiable. The cost of a survey varies based on the surveyor and the individual property. Waunakee-based Williamson Surveying & Associates charges approximately $700–1,200 to survey a residential subdivision.

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 $150-500. Check with your agent, attorney, or HOA board for more information on what you might owe.

Buyer’s closing costs

In addition to the above costs, buyers may request that sellers cover some of their closing costs. Seller concessions include anything 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 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.

Appraisal and inspection fees

Most home buyers in Wisconsin pay for an appraisal and inspection to determine the value and condition of the property. 

Lenders require an appraisal as part of the approval process for most home purchase loans. Appraisals for single-family homes in Wisconsin range in cost from $232-367, according to ProMatcher.

Prospective buyers in Wisconsin also conduct a general home inspection to uncover any serious issues with the property, from a cracking foundation to a leaky roof. The home inspection results could lead to further visits by other professionals such as engineers, electricians, or exterminators.

Sellers may offer to pay for inspections as a buyer incentive, and some sellers purchase their own pre-listing inspections. Wisconsin home inspections range from $242–338 for a 2,000-square foot house, with an average of $290, according to ProMatcher.

Lender’s title insurance

Most lenders require home buyers to purchase lender’s title insurance as a condition of receiving a mortgage loan.

Attorneys’ Title Guaranty fund charges $400 for a lender’s title insurance premium in Wisconsin when the policy is issued simultaneously with the owner’s title insurance policy.

Home warranty

A home warranty offers 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.

Homebuyers can purchase a home warranty for themselves, but some sellers offer to buy a home warranty plan for the buyer as an incentive. Annual premiums for a home warranty in Wisconsin average $543 for a single-family home, according to Review Home Warranties.

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 Wisconsin 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.

For more accurate numbers, 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.

Wisconsin seller closing costs: FAQs

Recommended reading

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

How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in Wisconsin: Selling a home For Sale by Owner (FSBO) in Wisconsin means you avoid paying a listing commission, but there are 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.