How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Home in San Diego? Fees, Taxes and Commissions

by Trevor Landress

The cost to sell a home in San Diego is mostly agent compensation, which is negotiable and set in writing, plus county transfer tax, escrow and title charges, and whatever you spend getting the home ready. The county transfer tax alone is $1,208.90 on a $1,099,000 sale. The biggest line is usually commission, so this guide starts there.

The short answer

Commissions are negotiable. No law sets a standard rate, and your listing agreement spells out what you will pay.
San Diego County's documentary transfer tax is $0.55 per $500, which is $1.10 per $1,000. On $1,099,000 that is $1,208.90 (county recorder fee schedule, my math).
Escrow, title and other fees vary. Ask for a written estimate before you list.
Preparation, repairs and staging are optional, but most sellers spend something. See my home prep checklist.

The main costs of selling

Cost	How it is set	What to know
Agent compensation	Negotiated and written in your listing agreement	Redfin reported the average buyer's agent commission was 2.43% in Q2 2025. A seller's own agent fee is separate and negotiated.
County transfer tax	$0.55 per $500 of value	$1,208.90 on $1,099,000. Your contract and escrow instructions show who pays.
Escrow and title fees	Quotes from the escrow and title companies	Charges vary by company and price. Ask for an estimate and ask what is negotiable.
Prep, repairs, staging	Your choice	Varies widely. Get quotes first.
Mortgage payoff and prorations	Your loan balance and the closing date	Not a fee, but it comes out of your proceeds. Taxes and HOA dues are split by closing date.

Agent commissions

Commission is the largest cost for most sellers. After the NAR settlement changed industry rules, Redfin reported in August 2025 that the average buyer's agent commission was 2.43% for homes sold in the second quarter of 2025, up from 2.38% a year earlier. That figure covers only the buyer's side, and it is a national average, not a San Diego rate. Your own agent's fee is set between you and your agent.

Commissions are negotiable. In a Redfin-commissioned Ipsos survey done in March and April 2025, 37.4% of recent sellers said they negotiated or tried to negotiate the commission. When you interview agents, ask what services the fee covers, who pays the buyer's agent, and how that is written into the listing agreement.

To show the scale, here is what different total commission rates would cost on three sale prices. These are made-up scenarios, my math, not averages.

Sale price	4% total	5% total	6% total
$750,000	$30,000	$37,500	$45,000
$1,099,000	$43,960	$54,950	$65,940
$1,500,000	$60,000	$75,000	$90,000

San Diego County transfer tax

The county's recorder fee schedule lists the documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500 or fraction thereof. That works out to $1.10 per $1,000 of value. On a sale at $1,099,000 the tax is $1,208.90. Your purchase contract and escrow instructions show who pays it. Some cities charge their own transfer taxes, so ask your escrow officer to confirm what applies to your address.

Escrow, title and other closing charges

An escrow company holds the money and documents until the sale closes. A title company researches ownership and issues title insurance. Both charge fees, and the amounts depend on the company and the price. Ask for an estimated seller's closing statement early. The buyer side has its own charges, which I cover in closing costs for home buyers in San Diego.

Tax withholding at closing is not a fee

California can require withholding from a seller's proceeds. FTB Publication 1016 (revised February 2026) says the default is 3 1/3% of the total sales price, about $36,600 on $1,099,000 (my math). The same publication says withholding is a prepayment of income tax, not an additional tax. A seller can claim an exemption on Form 593 if certain tests are met, such as the home being the seller's principal residence under the two-year test. Whether you qualify depends on your facts. This is general information, not tax advice, so talk with a CPA or tax professional before closing.

Costs that show up late

Some costs do not appear on the first estimate. A buyer may ask for a repair credit after the inspection. Your closing date can add a few days of prorated property tax or HOA dues. If you must vacate before closing, moving and storage add up too. Build a small cushion into your budget so a late item does not change your plan.

How to keep selling costs in check

Interview more than one agent and compare what each fee includes.
Ask for written estimates from escrow and title before you list.
Spend on repairs and prep that match your price range, and get two quotes on larger jobs.
Learn your net proceeds before you decide to list, not after you accept an offer.
Start with an honest value estimate so your plan fits the market.

This is not a guarantee

Every sale is different. The commission rates, tax figures and examples above are illustrations or reported data, not quotes. Your actual costs depend on your price, your agreements and your closing date.

Important notice: This guide is general information about San Diego real estate. It is not legal, tax, accounting, financial, lending or insurance advice, and it is not an appraisal. Trevor Landress is a REALTOR®, not an attorney, CPA, tax advisor, lender or insurance agent. Laws, tax rules, fees and programs change and depend on your facts. Before you make a decision, talk with a licensed real estate attorney, a CPA or tax professional, your lender or an insurance agent, as needed.

My advice for San Diego sellers

Treat commission as negotiable, and get the terms in writing before you sign.
Ask your escrow officer for a seller's estimated closing statement.
Plan for the tax withholding rules with a CPA before closing.
Budget for prep and repairs separately from selling costs.
Compare your total cost to your expected price, not just one line item.

Call or text me at (619) 402-4614 or send me a message.

Call or text (619) 402-4614 Contact Trevor Landress

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to sell a house in San Diego?

Costs depend on your price and agreements. The main items are agent compensation, county transfer tax, escrow and title fees, and any prep or repair costs. On a $1,099,000 sale, the transfer tax is $1,208.90, and each 1% of commission is $10,990 (my math).

Is real estate commission negotiable in California?

Yes. No law sets a standard commission. Redfin reported that 37.4% of recent sellers in a spring 2025 survey negotiated or tried to negotiate the commission. The rate is agreed in your listing agreement, so read it before you sign.

Is there a transfer tax when you sell a home in San Diego?

San Diego County's documentary transfer tax is $0.55 per $500, or $1.10 per $1,000 of value. Your contract and escrow instructions show who pays it, and some cities charge extra taxes, so ask your escrow officer.

Does California withhold money from a home sale?

It can. FTB Publication 1016 says the default is 3 1/3% of the total sales price unless an exemption applies, and that it is a prepayment of tax rather than an extra tax. Ask a CPA or tax professional whether you qualify for an exemption.

Who pays the escrow and title fees when selling?

It depends on your purchase contract and local custom, and some of it is negotiable. Ask your agent and your escrow officer for an estimated seller's closing statement before you list.

About the author

Trevor Landress is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker West (DRE# 02126901), born and raised in San Diego and licensed since 2021. He is part of the Campbell Group, a three-generation real estate team. Call or text (619) 402-4614 or visit trevorlandressrealtor.com.

Sources

This article is for general information only. It is not legal, tax, financial, lending or insurance advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client, advisor or agency relationship. Figures are examples or reported data as of the dates shown, are not guaranteed, and may change. Consult a qualified professional about your own situation.