Selling Your Home? Make Sure You Plan For These Costs

When you think of selling your home, chances are you think of making money, not spending money. But the truth is, there are costs associated with selling a home, and if you (and your budget!) don’t want to be caught off guard, it’s important to know what those costs are and plan for them ahead of time.

So what, exactly, are the costs associated with selling your home? A recent video from realtor.com outlined some home selling costs you may incur while selling your home, including:

• Professional photos. In today’s digital-first world, when so many buyers look at properties online, having high-quality photos of your home is a must. And, in many cases, that means hiring a professional photographer. The cost of a real estate photographer will vary based on where you live and how large your property is, but you can expect to pay, on average, somewhere between $500 and $1000.
• Landscaping. You only get to make a first impression once—and if your home is lacking curb appeal, it’s going to be tough to get buyers in the door. Improving your landscaping can be pricey (according to the video, on average, a full landscape costs an average of $3200)—but because it’s such a visible part of your property, it may be worth the investment.
• Closing costs. Once your home is sold, there are some major costs you’ll need to account for—and that’s closing costs. Expect to pay about 2 percent of your home’s total sale price at closing (which covers costs like mortgage processing fees, transfer tax, escrow fees, and notary fees).