Understanding Closing Costs When Selling a Home in Florida

When homeowners think about selling, their focus often lands on the sale price—but that’s only half the equation. The other half involves closing costs, which can take sellers by surprise if they’re not prepared.

At Fee Simple Realty, we believe in transparency. Understanding your closing costs upfront helps you make informed decisions and prevents unwanted surprises on closing day.

Simple Explanation and Takeaway

Closing costs are the fees and expenses you pay to complete your home sale. In Florida, they typically total 1–3% of the home’s sale price and include title fees, taxes, and settlement costs.

1. What’s Included in Closing Costs?

Florida closing costs may include:

Title Search and Title Insurance – Ensures the property is free from liens or ownership disputes.
Recording and Transfer Fees – Charged by the county to record the new deed.
Documentary Stamp Taxes – A state tax on the sale of real property.
HOA Estoppel Fees – If your property is in an HOA, this covers providing necessary documents.
Attorney or Settlement Fees – For preparing closing documents and coordinating the transfer.

Together, these can easily add up to $5,000–$10,000, depending on the home’s value.

2. Who Pays What in Florida?

In most Florida real estate transactions:

Sellers typically pay for title insurance, documentary stamp tax, and agent commissions.
Buyers pay for inspections, lender fees, and appraisal costs.

However, every deal is negotiable—especially in today’s market.

3. Reducing Commission Costs: The Biggest Savings Opportunity

For sellers, the largest cost isn’t the title fee or taxes—it’s the commission. Traditional brokerages charge around 6% total, split between listing and buyer’s agents.

On a $400,000 home, that’s $24,000 in commissions.
At Fee Simple Realty, the listing fee is just 1%, or $4,000. That’s a $20,000 savings without sacrificing professional service.

4. Planning for Your Net Proceeds

Understanding what you’ll pay helps you estimate your net proceeds—the amount you take home after all costs. Fee Simple Realty provides detailed net sheets for every client, outlining estimated taxes, fees, and commissions so you know your true bottom line before you list.

5. Central Florida Example

A Lakeland homeowner sells for $350,000.

Traditional Brokerage: ~$21,000 commission + $5,000 in closing costs = $26,000 total.
Fee Simple Realty: ~$3,500 listing fee + $5,000 closing costs = $8,500 total.

That’s $17,500 more equity kept, just by choosing the right brokerage.

Conclusion

Closing costs are part of every home sale, but high commissions don’t have to be. By understanding where your money goes, you can plan effectively and protect your profits.

At Fee Simple Realty, we provide full-service support for a 1% listing fee, helping you save thousands while simplifying the process.

Understanding Closing Costs When Selling a Home in Florida