About the Home Sale Proceeds Calculator
This home sale proceeds calculator estimates the cash you will actually receive at closing when you sell a house. Starting from the sale price, it subtracts your mortgage payoff and any other liens such as a HELOC, the real estate agent commission, seller closing costs (title, escrow, transfer taxes and fees), concessions offered to the buyer, and pre-sale repairs or staging.
Use it to decide whether selling makes sense, to see how much you can put toward your next down payment, or to compare offers with different prices and concessions. The breakdown shows exactly where each dollar of the sale price goes.
Commission and closing costs are entered as percentages because they vary by market and are negotiable. Your payoff amount should come from a payoff statement from your lender, since it includes interest accrued to the closing date. The result is before any capital gains tax; many owners who lived in the home two of the last five years can exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples).
With the default inputs, the estimated net proceeds is $160,500.00. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the home sale proceeds calculator
- 1Enter your expected sale price (use recent comparable sales).
- 2Enter the payoff balance from your lender and any HELOC or other liens.
- 3Set the commission and closing cost percentages for your market.
- 4Add any credits you will give the buyer and repair or staging costs.
- 5Review the net proceeds and the breakdown of where the money goes.
Formula and method
Net proceeds start with the sale price P. The lender payoff and any other liens are paid first from the sale. The agent commission is the commission rate c times the price, and seller closing costs are estimated as a percentage k of the price. Concessions (credits you give the buyer toward their costs) and pre-sale repairs are subtracted as dollar amounts.
The figure ignores prorated property taxes, HOA dues and utilities, which can move the final number by a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and it is before any capital gains tax.
- P
- Sale price
- c
- Total commission rate
- k
- Seller closing cost rate
Worked examples
$450k sale with $250k owed
You have $200,000 of equity. Commission of 5.5% costs $24,750, closing costs of 1.5% cost $6,750, and $8,000 goes to concessions and repairs. Total selling costs are $39,500 (8.8% of the price), leaving about $160,500.
$320k starter home, 6% commission
Commission is $19,200 and closing costs $6,400; with $2,000 of repairs, selling costs total $27,600. After the $210,000 payoff you net $82,400.
$700k sale with a HELOC
After paying $380,000 on the mortgage and $25,000 on the HELOC, equity is $295,000. Selling costs of $60,000 (commission $35,000, closing $7,000, credits and repairs $18,000) leave $235,000.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sell a house?+
Seller costs commonly total around 6% to 10% of the sale price once you add agent commission, title and escrow fees, transfer taxes, concessions and repairs. Commission is usually the largest single item and is negotiable.
Is my payoff amount the same as my loan balance?+
Not exactly. A payoff statement adds interest accrued since your last payment up to the closing date, plus any fees. Request an official payoff quote from your servicer before closing.
Do I pay taxes on the money from selling my house?+
Taxes apply to the gain, not the proceeds. If you owned and lived in the home for at least two of the last five years, you can usually exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 if married filing jointly.
When do I receive the proceeds from a home sale?+
The escrow or title company typically disburses your net proceeds by wire or check on the closing day or within a few business days after the deed is recorded.
What if I owe more than the house is worth?+
If net proceeds are negative you must bring cash to closing to pay off the loan, or ask the lender to approve a short sale. A short sale can affect your credit and may have tax consequences.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.