What Does It Cost to Sell a House in Georgia? A Line-by-Line Guide for Atlanta Sellers

"What's my house worth?" is the question most sellers start with. The better question is "What will I keep?" Between the sale price and the check you receive sit a handful of costs — some fixed by Georgia law, some negotiable, and some that depend entirely on the route you choose.

Here's every line, what drives it, and how to estimate it for your own Atlanta-area home. We won't give you a single "average" percentage, because the honest answer depends on your price, your home's condition, your mortgage and how you sell.

1. Mortgage payoff (and any other liens)

Not a "cost of selling," but it's usually the biggest deduction. Request a payoff statement from your lender — it's different from your current balance because it includes interest through the payoff date and any fees. Home equity lines, tax liens or judgment liens also get paid at closing.

How to estimate: call your servicer or check your online account for a payoff quote dated near your expected closing.

2. Agent compensation (if you list)

Commissions are not set by law; they're negotiable between you and the agent you hire (National Association of REALTORS®). Since the 2024 practice changes, sellers also decide whether to offer any compensation toward a buyer's agent — that's a negotiation point, not a rule.

How to estimate: ask two or three agents for their listing fee in writing and what, if anything, they recommend offering buyer-side. Plug each scenario into your net.

3. Georgia real estate transfer tax

Georgia charges a transfer tax based on the sale price: $1 for the first $1,000 (or fraction) plus 10 cents for each additional $100 (or fraction). By statute the seller is liable, although buyer and seller can agree otherwise in the contract (Georgia Department of Revenue; O.C.G.A. § 48-6-1).

Worked example (from the published rate): on a $400,000 sale, that's $1 + (3,990 × $0.10) = $400. On $300,000, $300. It works out to about $1 per $1,000 of price.

4. Closing attorney and title-related fees

In Georgia, closings are handled by attorneys: the Supreme Court of Georgia held that only a licensed Georgia attorney may prepare or facilitate the execution of a deed of conveyance (State Bar of Georgia, UPL Advisory Opinion 2003-2). Sellers commonly pay for deed preparation and some closing services; the buyer usually pays for their lender's requirements. Exactly who pays what is set by your purchase contract.

How to estimate: ask the closing attorney (or your agent) for a seller fee quote early. Don't guess.

5. Prorated property taxes and HOA dues

Property taxes and HOA dues are typically prorated to the closing date. Depending on when taxes were last paid, you may owe a credit to the buyer or receive one. Some HOAs also charge transfer or statement fees.

How to estimate: look at your last tax bill and HOA statement; your attorney will do the exact math on the settlement statement.

6. Repairs, prep and buyer credits

This is the most variable line. It covers:

• Pre-listing prep: paint, cleaning, landscaping, small fixes, staging.
• Post-inspection repairs or credits: negotiated after the buyer's inspection.
• Concessions: e.g., helping with a buyer's closing costs to make a deal work.

With a cash sale, you typically skip prep, but the buyer may deduct for condition. Opendoor, for example, shows repair costs as a line in its offer breakdown (Opendoor).

How to estimate: walk the house with a skeptical buyer's eye; get quotes for anything obvious (roof, HVAC, water intrusion) before you list, so an inspection doesn't set the price for you.

7. Carrying costs while you wait

Every month between "decide to sell" and "close" costs you: mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, utilities, HOA dues, lawn care — and, if you've already moved, a second housing payment.

How to estimate: add up one month of those costs, then multiply by a realistic number of months for your route. For a listing, ask a local agent what's realistic for your price point; for a cash sale, use the buyer's stated closing window.

8. Cash-sale fees or discounts (if you sell for cash)

Cash buyers price their costs in different ways:

• Stated service fee: Offerpad publishes a 5% service fee plus about 1% in closing costs (Offerpad).
• Variable fee shown in the offer: Opendoor says its service charge varies and appears in your offer breakdown (Opendoor).
• "No fees," lower price: many local cash buyers advertise no fees or commissions; their margin is in the purchase price.

The only fair comparison is the net amount after everything.

9. Moving and overlap costs

Movers, storage, a short-term rental if dates don't line up. Some cash buyers include extras — Offerpad advertises a free local move within 80 miles (Offerpad Atlanta) — so count those when comparing.

Put it together: a Georgia seller net sheet

The same two columns and rows as BrickDelta's own estimate. Then subtract what only you know: your mortgage payoff and liens, carrying costs while the home is for sale (months × monthly cost), and moving or overlap costs, and compare the two nets alongside how long each would take.

Common mistakes

• Comparing a cash offer to a list price instead of net to net.
• Forgetting carrying costs, which grow with every extra month.
• Treating an instant estimate as a firm number.
• Not getting fee quotes in writing before choosing a route.

Get your numbers in minutes

BrickDelta shows Atlanta-metro homeowners a modeled cash-offer range and a data-backed listing-price range, plus estimated net proceeds and timing for each route, side by side. On a cash sale, you pay the brokerage commission in your listing agreement with our brokerage partner (6% standard, negotiable); BrickDelta charges no separate fee. If you list, standard selling costs apply and are reflected in your estimated net (BrickDelta pricing). A licensed agent reviews the numbers before any list price is recommended.

Estimates are non-binding and are not offers.

See what you'd likely net →

Brokerage services: Homecraft Realty, Inc., GA firm lic. #77161, (770) 282-7850. Equal Housing Opportunity. This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice; confirm figures with your closing attorney and tax advisor.