Home Sale Net Proceeds Calculator

Net proceeds from selling a home is how much money you actually receive after all selling costs and outstanding balances are paid at closing. Most sellers are surprised by how much comes out — the gap between sale price and net proceeds can easily be $30,000–$60,000 or more.

The formula: Net Proceeds = Sale Price − Mortgage Payoff − Agent Commissions − Closing Costs − Repairs − Other Fees

Typical selling cost breakdown:

Agent commissions: Traditionally 5–6% of sale price, though buyer’s agent commission is now negotiable post-2024 NAR settlement. Expect 2.5–3% for your listing agent.

Closing costs (seller-side): 1–3% of sale price, which may include:

• Title insurance: 0.5–1%
• Transfer/documentary stamps: 0.1–0.5% (state-dependent)
• Attorney fees: $500–$1,500
• Prorated property taxes and HOA fees

Worked example: Sale price: $420,000 Mortgage payoff: $195,000 Agent commissions (5.5%): $23,100 Closing costs (2%): $8,400 Pre-sale repairs: $4,500 Staging: $1,500 Total costs: $232,500 Net Proceeds = $420,000 − $232,500 = $187,500

Capital gains tax: Sellers who lived in the home as their primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years can exclude:

• Up to $250,000 in capital gains (single)
• Up to $500,000 (married filing jointly)

Profit = Sale Price − Original Purchase Price − Capital Improvements. If profit is under the exclusion, no federal capital gains tax is owed.

Net Equity Rate: Net Proceeds / Current Home Value — tells you what percentage of your home’s value you actually pocket.