Selling a home involves more costs than most people expect. If you're planning to sell your Pinellas County home, understanding every expense upfront helps you set realistic expectations — and find ways to keep more of your equity at closing.
Here's a complete breakdown of what you'll typically pay when selling a home in Pinellas County, Florida.
1. Real Estate Commission (Biggest Cost)
Commission is typically the largest cost of selling. Traditionally, sellers pay a total commission of 5–6% split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent.
| Commission Structure | On $500K Sale | On $750K Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional (6% total) | $30,000 | $45,000 |
| One Home Realty Group (1% listing + 2.5% buyer) | $17,500 | $26,250 |
| Your Savings | $12,500 | $18,750 |
2. Closing Costs
In Florida, sellers typically pay the following closing costs:
- Title insurance (owner's policy): ~0.5% of sale price — in Pinellas County, sellers typically pay this
- Documentary stamp tax: $0.70 per $100 of sale price (e.g. $3,500 on a $500K sale)
- Title/closing fees: $500–$1,500 depending on the title company
- Prorated property taxes: You'll pay your share of annual taxes up to the closing date
- HOA fees: Any outstanding HOA dues or transfer fees if applicable
Total closing costs for Pinellas County sellers typically run 1–2% of the sale price beyond commission.
3. Pre-Sale Repairs and Improvements
Most sellers invest some money before listing to maximize their sale price. Common pre-sale expenses include:
- Fresh interior paint: $1,500–$4,000
- Professional cleaning and staging: $500–$2,000
- Minor repairs (fixtures, hardware, caulking): $500–$2,000
- Landscaping and curb appeal: $500–$1,500
The key is spending strategically — not every improvement generates a return. During your free consultation, Mark can advise exactly which improvements make sense for your home and neighborhood.
4. Mortgage Payoff
If you have an existing mortgage, your lender will be paid off from the sale proceeds at closing. Request a payoff statement from your lender before listing so you know exactly what you'll net.
5. Moving Costs
Don't forget to budget for the move itself — local moves typically cost $1,000–$3,000, while long-distance moves can run significantly higher.
What Will You Net? A Real Example
On a $600,000 Pinellas County home with One Home Realty Group at 1% listing commission: approximate net proceeds after commission (3.5% total), closing costs (1.5%), and $5,000 in pre-sale prep = roughly $552,000. With a traditional 6% agent under the same conditions, you'd net approximately $540,000 — a difference of $12,000.
How to Keep More of Your Equity
The single biggest lever you control is the listing commission. By choosing One Home Realty Group's 1% listing program, Pinellas County sellers save an average of $10,000–$20,000 compared to traditional commission structures — without giving up any service or marketing quality.
Ready to find out exactly what you'd net? Get a free, no-obligation home valuation and net proceeds estimate from Mark Zamitalo.