2026 Seller's Guide · Florida
What Does It Cost to Sell a Home in Florida?
Commission, closing costs, taxes, and what you actually keep. No estimates — real numbers for Central Florida sellers, updated for 2026.
Every Line Item
The Full Cost Breakdown
Cost Item
Typical Range
Real estate commission
2.5–6%
Title insurance (seller pays in FL)
~0.5%
Documentary stamp tax
~0.7%
Prorated property taxes
Varies
HOA estoppel fee
$100–$400
Home warranty (optional)
$400–$700
Repairs / concessions
Varies
Total estimated seller cost (incl. commission)
~8–10%
All figures are estimates for illustrative purposes. Actual costs depend on your sale price, county, HOA, and negotiated terms.
Top Search Query
Who Pays the Realtor Fees?
In Florida — and historically across the U.S. — the seller has typically paid both the listing agent's commission and the buyer's agent's commission out of sale proceeds. This was the standard structure for decades.
Following the NAR settlement (effective 2024), buyer's agent compensation is now negotiated separately and must be agreed to in writing between buyers and their agents before touring. Sellers are no longer required to offer buyer's agent compensation through the MLS.
In practice, most sellers in competitive markets still choose to offer a buyer's agent fee to attract buyers and their financing — typically 2.5–3%. The practical effect on your net is similar to the pre-settlement model, though the structure is now more transparent.
MaxLife Commission
Starting at 1%
MaxLife's 27-step marketing system — professional photography, 3D tours, targeted digital campaigns, and agent network outreach — delivers full-service results at a lower listing commission tier.
On a $500K home, the difference between a 3% listing commission and a 1% listing commission is $10,000 in your pocket.
Florida-Specific Rules
What Are Closing Costs When Selling in Florida?
Florida is a “seller-pays-title” state — meaning the seller traditionally pays for the owner's title insurance policy, not the buyer. This is different from many states where the buyer pays for their own title insurance. It's one of the more surprising line items for sellers who've sold in other states.
Seller pays:
- ✓Documentary stamp tax on the deed (~$0.70/$100)
- ✓Owner's title insurance policy (~0.5% of sale price)
- ✓Prorated property taxes through close date
- ✓HOA estoppel fee (if applicable)
- ✓Real estate commission (listing + buyer's agent)
Buyer pays:
- ✓Documentary stamp tax on the mortgage note
- ✓Lender origination fees and points
- ✓Home inspection fees
- ✓Appraisal (required by lender)
- ✓Lender's title insurance policy
Total seller closing costs (excluding commission) typically run 2–3% of the sale price in Florida. Combined with commission, expect total seller costs of 8–10% of your sale price in most transactions.
Commission Explained
How Much Commission Does a Realtor Make in Florida?
The historical standard in Florida — and nationally — was a total commission of 5–6%, split roughly equally between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. On a $500K home, that's $25K–$30K total in commission.
Post-NAR settlement (2024), commission structures have become more transparent and negotiable. Listing agents typically charge 2.5–3% for their services. Buyer's agent compensation — now negotiated separately — is often 2.5–3% as well, though this varies by transaction.
MaxLife charges from 1% listing commission. The 27-step marketing system — professional HDR photography, 3D Matterport tours, targeted Facebook and Google campaigns, MLS syndication, agent network outreach, and professional negotiation — delivers the same result at a lower cost to you.
Commission Comparison on a $500K Home
Real Numbers
What Will You Actually Net?
Orange County
$400,000 Sale Price
Example: Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips, or Windermere home at standard 5.5% commission
Brevard County
$550,000 Sale Price
Example: Melbourne or Viera home at standard 5.5% commission
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Run your personalized net sheet →Common Questions
Florida Seller Cost Questions, Answered
Do sellers pay closing costs in Florida?+
Yes. Sellers in Florida typically pay title insurance (owner's policy), documentary stamp tax on the deed, and prorated property taxes. Total non-commission seller closing costs generally run 2–3% of the sale price.
What is the documentary stamp tax in Florida?+
Florida's documentary stamp tax (doc stamps) is $0.70 per $100 of the sale price, paid by the seller. On a $500,000 home, that's $3,500. In Miami-Dade County the rate is slightly higher at $0.60 per $100 for the deed, with additional surtax.
Can I sell a house with no closing costs?+
You can negotiate certain costs with the buyer — for example, splitting title insurance or having the buyer pay their own doc stamps on their mortgage — but you cannot completely eliminate seller closing costs. Commission and documentary stamp tax on the deed will still apply in nearly every transaction.
Is Florida a seller-pays-title state?+
Yes. Unlike many states where buyers pay for their own title insurance, in Florida the seller typically pays for the owner's title insurance policy. This is a meaningful line item — roughly 0.5% of the sale price, or about $2,500 on a $500K home.
How much is realtor commission in Florida?+
Historically, total commission was 5–6%, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. Post-NAR settlement (effective 2024), buyer's agent compensation is negotiated separately rather than automatically offered through MLS. In practice, most sellers in competitive markets still offer a buyer's agent fee to attract offers. MaxLife's listing commission starts at 1%.
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