How Much Will You Save Selling By Owner?
Enter your price and expected costs. See the dollars you keep by selling by owner — with or without offering a buyer-agent fee.
Your numbers
compared with a traditional listing at the commission you entered.
Estimates for planning only — not a loan offer, appraisal or tax advice. Results depend on the numbers you enter.
How this calculator works
The math is deliberately transparent:
- Traditional cost = sale price × the total commission percentage you entered.
- By-owner cost = sale price × any buyer-agent fee you choose to offer, plus your out-of-pocket costs.
- Savings = traditional cost − by-owner cost.
Example: on a $400,000 sale, a 5.5% total commission is $22,000. If you sell by owner, offer a 2.5% buyer-agent fee ($10,000) and spend $1,500 on a flat-fee listing, photos and an attorney, your cost is $11,500 — you keep $10,500 more. If the buyer is unrepresented and you offer no fee, you keep about $20,500.
Three ways to use the result
- Decide whether by owner is worth it. If the savings are meaningful to you, read the complete guide to selling by owner and take the readiness quiz.
- Negotiate smarter. Commissions have always been negotiable. Knowing the dollar value of each percentage point helps whether you list with an agent or not — see how commission rules changed.
- Plan your net. Plug the by-owner cost into the seller net proceeds calculator to see your cash at closing.
What the calculator does not include
Savings assume the same sale price either way. Agents argue they achieve higher prices; owners counter that pricing to the comps produces the same result. The honest answer: price drives everything, so study the comps carefully with our pricing guide before you list.
FAQ
Do I still have to pay a buyer's agent if I sell by owner?
No law requires it. Since the August 2024 industry practice changes, buyer-agent pay is negotiated between buyers and their agents, and sellers can choose whether to contribute. Many owners offer a fee or a closing credit to widen their buyer pool; set the slider to 0% to model offering nothing.
What are typical by-owner costs?
Common line items are a flat-fee MLS listing, professional photos, a yard sign and a real estate attorney or title company to handle the contract and closing. Many owners spend a low four-figure amount in total, but quotes vary by market.
Is the savings figure guaranteed?
No. It is simple arithmetic on the numbers you enter. Your real result depends on the price you achieve, time on market and any concessions you negotiate.
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