Hawaii​ Seller Closing Cost Calculator

Buyer’s Agent Fee: $18,575–$22,290

In the past, sellers covered both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent fees. However, following a landmark court settlement by the National Association of Realtors, buyers are now expected to negotiate compensation directly with their own agents. If you’re offering to pay this fee to attract buyers, on a $743,000 median-priced Hawaii home, you can expect to pay $18,575–$22,290.

Detailed Closing Costs: $6,984

Closing costs in Hawaii average about 0.94% of the home’s sale price. On a median-priced home of $743,000, you might pay $6,984. Below are some of the typical types of closing costs you can expect:

• Home Preparations: Curb appeal efforts, such as interior house cleaning, landscaping, or home staging can improve your chances of landing a sale.
• Renovations/Repairs: Fixing or updating your property to meet market demand.
• Title Service Fees: Title company work required to verify legal ownership and help manage the transfer of the property.
• Owner’s Title Insurance: A one-time insurance premium paid by the seller to protect the buyer from title issues or ownership disputes.
• Transfer Taxes: Hawaii home sellers pay a transfer tax rate of $0.10 per $100 for transactions of $600,00 or less and up to $1.00 per $100 for conveyances in excess of $10 million. (See more below.)
• Recording Fees: Fees paid to the local government to officially record the change in property ownership.
• Buyer Incentives: Credits or concessions you might offer buyers, such as paying the buyer’s agent fees or offering a rate buydown.
• Other Costs: Miscellaneous expenses not covered in other categories, such as attorney fees and HOA transfers. (An attorney is not required to sell a house in Hawaii.)
• Moving Expenses: While not technically a closing cost, you might want to include this expense in your budget, which can range from $883 to $7,000.

In Hawaii, the seller is responsible for paying any transfer taxes, though the amount depends on the property’s sale price and the buyer’s intended use. The buyer must inform the seller in the transaction contract if this intended use changes for any reason.

Hawaii transfer taxes are $0.10 per $100 for transactions of $600,00 or less and up to $1.00 per $100 for conveyances in excess of $10 million. Consult this table for a complete list.

Condominiums or single-family homes where the buyer is not eligible for a county homeowner’s exemption will be taxed differently, with rates starting at $0.15 per $100 for transactions of $600,000 or less. This can range to $1.25 per $100 for homes sold at $10 million or higher.