Net Proceeds From Selling a Home in San Diego: What You Walk Away With

by Trevor Landress

Your net proceeds from selling a home in San Diego are what is left after you subtract your loan payoff, commissions, taxes, fees and prep costs from the sale price. In a made-up example with a $1,099,000 sale and a $450,000 loan balance, a seller could walk away with about $570,851 to $592,831 before any income tax, depending on the commission rate (my math).

The short answer

Net proceeds = sale price minus loan payoff, commission, transfer tax, escrow and title fees, and prep costs.
Each 1% of commission on $1,099,000 is $10,990, so the commission rate moves your result more than any other single line.
Income tax is separate. IRS rules may let some sellers exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 on a joint return) from a main home sale.
California may withhold part of your proceeds at closing as a prepayment of tax. That affects the cash you receive at closing, not necessarily your final tax bill.

A worked example

Every number below is an assumption chosen for the example, not a quote. The $1,099,000 price matches the July 2026 San Diego County median for an existing single-family home reported by C.A.R. The loan balance, escrow and title amount, and prep spending are my made-up figures. The transfer tax uses the county rate of $0.55 per $500.

Line	4% commission	5% commission	6% commission
Sale price	$1,099,000	$1,099,000	$1,099,000
Loan payoff (assumed)	-$450,000	-$450,000	-$450,000
Total commission	-$43,960	-$54,950	-$65,940
County transfer tax	-$1,208.90	-$1,208.90	-$1,208.90
Escrow, title and other fees (assumed)	-$6,000	-$6,000	-$6,000
Prep, repairs, staging (assumed)	-$5,000	-$5,000	-$5,000
Estimated net before income tax	$592,831	$581,841	$570,851

My math, rounded to the dollar. The difference between the 4% and 6% columns is $21,980, which is the commission difference on this price. Real sales also include prorated property taxes and HOA dues, possible repair credits and other items that can move the number up or down.

Costs that are easy to miss

Prorations. Property taxes and HOA dues are split between you and the buyer based on the closing date.
Repair credits. A buyer may ask for a credit after the inspection. See how to prepare your home to sell for ways to reduce surprises.
Payoff details. Your lender's payoff amount includes interest through the payoff date, so it is not the same as your balance on your last statement. Ask for a payoff statement.
Moving and overlap costs. Storage, a temporary rental or paying two housing costs at once are not in the table.

For a full list of line items, read what it costs to sell a home in San Diego.

Tax withholding at closing

FTB Publication 1016 (revised February 2026) says California real estate withholding is normally 3 1/3% of the total sales price, unless an exemption applies. On $1,099,000 that would be about $36,633 (my math). The publication calls it a prepayment of income tax, not an additional tax, and says a seller can certify an exemption on Form 593, for example under a two-year principal residence test. This is a cash-flow issue at closing. This is general information, not tax advice. Ask a CPA or tax professional whether it applies to you and what to expect on your return.

The federal home sale exclusion

The IRS says on Topic 701 that you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of gain from your income when you sell your main home, or up to $500,000 if you file a joint return with your spouse. You generally must have owned the home and used it as your residence for at least 24 months out of the last 5 years before the sale. There is also a limit on using the exclusion again within two years. Your gain depends on your purchase price, improvements and selling costs, so a CPA can tell you what applies. Rules change, and exceptions exist. This is general information, not tax advice, and I am not a tax professional.

How to estimate your own net proceeds

Get a realistic price range. Start with how much your home is worth.
Ask your lender for a payoff statement.
Use your listing agreement to calculate commission.
Add the county transfer tax of $0.55 per $500.
Ask your escrow officer or agent for an estimated seller's closing statement.
Subtract planned prep costs, then ask a CPA what tax to expect.

Plan for what comes next

If you plan to buy again, your proceeds may become your next down payment. See how much down payment you need to buy a home in San Diego, and keep an eye on how long it takes to sell so your timelines line up.

This is not a guarantee

The numbers above are illustrations. Your sale price, loan balance, commission, fees and taxes will differ. Treat the example as a template for your own math.

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

Run your own net proceeds before you list, using three commission rates and a range of prices.
Request a payoff statement and an estimated closing statement early.
Talk to a CPA before you sell about any tax on the gain and about withholding.
Keep records of your purchase, improvements and selling costs.
Leave a cushion for repair credits and timing changes.

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 money will I get from selling my house?

Your net proceeds are the sale price minus your loan payoff, commissions, transfer tax, escrow and title fees, and prep costs. In my made-up example, a $1,099,000 sale with a $450,000 loan nets about $570,851 to $592,831 before income tax (my math).

Do I have to pay capital gains tax when I sell my home?

Not always. The IRS says some sellers can exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 on a joint return, if they meet ownership and use tests. Your result depends on your facts, so ask a CPA or tax professional.

Does California withhold money when I sell my home?

It may. FTB Publication 1016 says the default is 3 1/3% of the total sales price unless you certify an exemption on Form 593. It is a prepayment of tax, not an extra tax. Ask a CPA whether you qualify.

What is a seller's net sheet?

A net sheet is an estimate of the costs of a sale and the cash you would receive. Ask your agent or escrow officer for an estimated seller's closing statement.

Are property taxes prorated when I sell?

Yes. Property taxes and HOA dues are generally split between buyer and seller based on the closing date, so they adjust your proceeds slightly. Escrow calculates the exact amounts.

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.