How much is real estate commission in Florida?

Commission is fully negotiable following the 2024 NAR settlement. In Florida, total commission typically runs 5–6%. On a $500,000 sale, that is $25,000–$30,000.

What are doc stamps in Florida real estate?

Documentary stamp tax is a Florida seller obligation charged at 70 cents per $100 of the sale price. On a $500,000 sale, doc stamps total $3,500.

What are the seller's closing costs on a $500,000 house in Florida?

Estimated costs include $27,500 in commission (at 5.5%), $3,500 in doc stamps, and roughly $5,000 in title and closing fees, for a total of approximately $36,500 and a net of about $463,500.

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Florida? Full Fee Breakdown

Q: How much does it cost to sell a house in Florida?

Sellers typically pay 7–9% of the sale price in total costs. On a $500,000 home, that is roughly $35,000–$45,000, leaving an estimated net of $455,000–$465,000 before mortgage payoff.

Q: Who pays title insurance in Florida — the buyer or seller?

By longstanding custom in most Florida counties, the seller pays for the buyer's owner's title insurance policy. On a $500,000 sale, this runs approximately $2,575–$3,200.

On a $500,000 Florida home sale, sellers typically pay $35,000–$45,000 in total costs — about 7–9% of the sale price — before mortgage payoff. That leaves a net of approximately $455,000–$465,000 at the closing table. Here is exactly where that money goes.

Real Estate Commission

Post-NAR settlement (effective 2024), commission is fully negotiated — there is no standard rate. In the Orlando and greater Florida market, total commission typically runs 5–6%, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. On a $500,000 sale, that is $25,000–$30,000.

The key change from 2024 forward: sellers are no longer required to offer buyer agent compensation through the MLS. Buyer agent compensation is now a separate negotiation, often structured through the buyer's purchase contract or a seller concession. In practice, most Florida sellers are still offering 2.5–3% to the buyer side to attract represented buyers — but it is now negotiable, not automatic.

Seller commission on $500K: $25,000–$30,000

Documentary Stamp Tax on the Deed

Florida imposes a documentary stamp tax (doc stamps) on the deed at 70 cents per $100 of the sale price. This is a seller obligation in most Florida counties (Miami-Dade uses a different rate structure).

$300,000 sale → $2,100
$500,000 sale → $3,500
$700,000 sale → $4,900
$1,000,000 sale → $7,000

Doc stamps on $500K: $3,500

Title Insurance — Owner's Policy

In most Florida counties, the seller pays for the buyer's owner's title insurance policy. This is a regional custom — not a legal requirement — but it is the standard expectation in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and most surrounding counties. (In some counties, such as Broward and Miami-Dade, buyers customarily pay.)

Premiums are set by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation using the TIRSA rate schedule. On a $500,000 sale, the owner's policy runs approximately $2,575–$3,200 depending on the title company and any simultaneous issue discount if the buyer is getting a lender's policy at the same time.

Owner's title policy on $500K: $2,575–$3,200

Title/Closing Settlement Fee

The title company charges a settlement or closing fee for handling the closing mechanics — preparing the HUD-1 or ALTA settlement statement, coordinating payoffs, disbursing funds, and recording documents. This fee runs $400–$800 at most Florida title companies.

Settlement fee: $400–$800

HOA Estoppel Letter

If your home is in a homeowners association, Florida law requires an estoppel certificate — a document confirming your current dues balance, any open violations, and upcoming assessments. The HOA charges a statutory fee for this letter: up to $299 if the account is current, up to $299 additional if expedited. If you have multiple HOAs (common in master-planned communities), each one charges separately.

HOA estoppel: $100–$600 depending on the community

Prorated Property Taxes

Florida property taxes are paid in arrears. At closing, the seller credits the buyer for the portion of the current tax year the seller occupied the home. If you close in April, you owe roughly four months of taxes. On a $500,000 home with a $6,000 annual tax bill, that is approximately $2,000 at closing.

The exact amount depends on your assessed value, exemptions, and closing date. Your title company will calculate this precisely on the settlement statement.

Pre-Sale Preparation Costs (Optional but Common)

These costs are not paid at closing, but they directly affect your net:

Professional staging: $1,500–$4,000 for a full occupied-home staging consultation and key room staging. Vacant home staging runs higher.
Pre-listing inspection: $350–$500. Knowing your home's condition before buyers do gives you negotiating control.
Cosmetic repairs and touch-ups: $500–$5,000+. Fresh paint, landscaping refresh, fixture updates. The return on targeted cosmetic spend is well above the cost in most markets.
Professional photography: $200–$500. Non-negotiable in the current market. Homes with professional photos sell faster and at higher prices — period.

Net Proceeds Estimate by Sale Price

Sale Price	Commission (5.5%)	Doc Stamps	Title + Closing	Est. Total Costs	Estimated Net
$300,000	$16,500	$2,100	$3,500	~$22,500	~$277,500
$400,000	$22,000	$2,800	$4,200	~$29,500	~$370,500
$500,000	$27,500	$3,500	$5,000	~$36,500	~$463,500
$700,000	$38,500	$4,900	$6,500	~$50,500	~$649,500
$1,000,000	$55,000	$7,000	$8,500	~$71,500	~$928,500

Estimates assume 5.5% total commission, standard Orange/Seminole County title customs, and no mortgage payoff. Your actual costs will vary.

What This Doesn't Include

Mortgage payoff is the single largest variable and is separate from closing costs. If you owe $350,000 on a $500,000 home, your actual cash in hand after costs and payoff is roughly $113,500 — not $463,500. Request a payoff statement from your lender before listing; it will include the principal balance plus any prepayment penalties (rare on conventional loans) and per-diem interest.

Capital gains taxes are also separate. Most primary residence sellers owe nothing federally due to the Section 121 exclusion, but verify with a CPA if your gain is substantial or the property was ever a rental.

Run Your Numbers

Every situation is different — your commission rate, HOA structure, loan balance, and closing date all affect the bottom line. Use the seller net sheet tool to model your specific scenario before you list.

Run Your Seller Net Sheet →

Ryan Solberg is a licensed Florida real estate broker with MaxLife Realty, based in Orlando. This post reflects market conditions as of April 2026. Consult a CPA for tax-specific questions.