How much does it really cost to sell a house in Texas?

Most sellers think the only cost is the agent commission. Then they get to closing and see a list of fees they never knew about. Here is the full picture on a typical $350,000 Texas home.

1. Listing agent commission — $10,500

The agent that lists your home usually takes 3% of the sale price. On a $350,000 home, that is $10,500. This is the cost you can actually skip. A flat-fee broker does the same listing for $150.

2. Buyer's agent commission — $7,000 to $10,500

The agent that brings the buyer also gets paid. This is usually 2% to 3% of the sale price. You offer this in your listing. Most sellers pay it because most buyers come through agents.

3. Title insurance — $2,000 to $2,500

Title insurance protects the buyer if anything weird shows up in the home's history (old liens, missing deeds). In Texas, the seller usually pays for the buyer's policy. Rates are set by the state, so you cannot shop this down.

4. Title and escrow fees — $400 to $800

The title company does the paperwork, holds the money, and wires it to the right people at closing. They charge a few hundred dollars in admin fees. Different companies charge different amounts. You can shop.

5. Survey — $400 to $700 (if needed)

A survey shows exactly where your property lines are. The buyer's lender often requires a new one, or an updated affidavit if you have an old survey.

6. HOA transfer fees — $200 to $600

If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, there is paperwork to transfer it to the buyer. The HOA charges a flat fee. Some are higher than others.

7. Repairs from inspection — varies

Buyers will inspect the home. If they find issues, they will ask you to fix them or knock money off the price. Budget $500–$3,000 just in case. Major issues (roof, foundation, HVAC) can be much more.

8. Prorated property taxes — varies

You pay property taxes for the days you owned the home that year. The title company calculates it and takes it out at closing. On a $350,000 home, this is usually a few thousand dollars depending on when you sell.

9. Your existing mortgage payoff — depends on your loan

Whatever you still owe on your mortgage comes out of the sale first. If you owe $200,000, that gets wired to your bank from the closing money.

The total, with and without a listing agent

On that same $350,000 home (without any unusual repairs):

The takeaway

You can't avoid title fees or taxes. But the listing commission — the biggest single cost — is the one you fully control. Skip it, and you keep $10,000+ in your pocket.