How Much Does It Cost to Sell Your Home in Georgia?
Aug 11, 2025
Your Georgia home just sold for $400,000. Time to celebrate? Yes! But before popping the cork, make sure you understand exactly what you'll take home.
By the time you pay commissions, closing costs, and a dozen other expenses, that impressive sale price might shrink by $40,000 or more. The difference between what buyers pay and what sellers pocket can be shocking for first-time sellers. Here, we spoke with top Georgia real estate agents to break down the expenses sellers should budget. Plan accurately to maximize your proceeds.
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Understanding the expenses you might pay helps set realistic expectations. Realistic expectations lead to smart, informed decisions.
Georgia sellers face total costs of 12.31% of their home's sale price, on average. For a median-priced Georgia home of $391,400, you're looking at roughly $48,000 in total selling expenses, including agent commissions, closing fees, pre-sale repairs, and carrying costs.
Lisa Combs, Regional Sales Manager at Mark Spain Real Estate in Atlanta, says her team uses a net sheet to break down expected costs for sellers. A net sheet is a detailed breakdown showing your sale price minus all expenses (mortgage payoff, commissions, closing costs, repairs), revealing your actual take-home amount.
"We spend a lot of time helping educate the sellers,” Combs says. “We say, ‘Here's what your overall cost looks like, and this is what your check will look like at the closing table.’"
Real estate commissions represent the largest selling expense, averaging 5.65% in Georgia, slightly above the national average of 5.44%. This typically splits between the listing agent (2.88%) and the buyer's agent (2.77%). On that $391,400 median home, expect approximately $21,000 in commission fees.
While commissions are negotiable, experienced agents who charge standard rates often deliver higher sale prices through expert pricing, professional marketing, and skilled negotiation. Some sellers may decline to pay the buyer's agent commission. This will save you money, but may significantly reduce buyer interest.
Beyond commissions, Georgia closing costs include:
Current market conditions directly affect your selling costs. Georgia homes now spend an average of 48 days on the market, which is 11 more days than in 2024. That means sellers face extended carrying costs (the ongoing expenses of owning a home while it's for sale). Additionally, 44.4% of home sales nationwide involved seller concessions in early 2025, with Atlanta seeing rates of 61.5%, one of the highest rates in the country.
"Buyers are pickier. They do ask for more concessions," says Leah Dukes, Regional Sales Manager at Mark Spain Real Estate in Athens.
You might budget for commissions but find yourself blindsided by additional surprise expenses. Knowing what to expect helps you budget accurately from the start.
Many Georgia homes will need a small update before hitting the market. Sellers nationally spend an average of $5,400 on pre-listing improvements.
“A fresh coat of paint goes a long way, especially if it's an older home that has odd colors or wallpaper," Combs says. "Paint and flooring are the two main items that a buyer's going to be looking at."
Still, the exact updates needed will depend on your house and your agent’s experience with your specific market. Dukes takes a more conservative approach: "I'm of the mindset that we try to do as little as possible and just offer buyer compensation sometimes,” she says. “Even if we do update the paint or remodel the kitchen, the new buyers may not like it."
Sellers may also be held liable for problems found during inspection. With buyer concessions now standard statewide, sellers may have to pay for:
"It's pretty unusual to have a binding contract without some kind of closing cost concession, especially if the house isn’t move-in ready," Combs says. “Buyers are getting the seller to address these issues before closing or make a concession so they can fix it after closing.”
Every month, your home sits unsold and costs money. For a typical Georgia home with a $2,209 monthly mortgage and $411 in utilities, you're looking at over $2,600 per month.
If a home is on the market for three months, that means three more months of mortgage and utility payments. That could easily cost $7,000 to $8,000. When clients are arguing over $2,000 on an offer, Dukes asks, “Is it worth it? It’s hard to get people to understand that they’re going to have to make three more mortgage payments.”
Smart strategies can help minimize expenses without sacrificing your sale price. The key lies in making informed decisions about where to invest and where to save.
There are a number of selling methods, each with its own cost structure. Understanding these differences helps you choose the approach that fits your financial goals.
Mark Spain Real Estate's unique approach gives you something most agencies can't: multiple paths to sell, all through one trusted agent relationship. Our agents will present all of your options with complete transparency, so you can make the right financial decision for your family.
We offer three options:
Our flexibility lets you compare real numbers, not hypotheticals. You'll see exactly what each path means for your net proceeds, timeline, and stress level, so you can make the right choice.
If upfront costs are challenging, consider:
Selling your Georgia home involves numerous costs, but understanding them helps you make strategic decisions that protect your equity. While typical sellers face 12% in total expenses, working with experienced professionals can help minimize these costs while maximizing your sale price.
Mark Spain Real Estate's approach combines detailed net sheets, multiple selling options, and upfront marketing investment in marketing to help sellers achieve their goals. Understanding all costs involved allows you to choose the path that delivers the best outcome for your situation.
Ready to see exactly what you'll walk away with when you sell your Georgia home? Contact Mark Spain Real Estate for a free, no-obligation consultation. Whether you're looking for top dollar through traditional listing or need the speed and convenience of a cash offer, we'll show you all your options and the real numbers behind each one.
Need to sell now? Get a strong cash offer on your home today.
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