For many people in Pennsylvania, a home is their most valuable asset, so deciding to sell is a big step. Whether you’re moving out of state, heading to the suburbs, or downsizing, you want the process to be as smooth as possible and to get the best return from your sale.
As you get ready to sell, it’s important to understand the costs involved. This post breaks down the typical expenses you might face and shares expert advice to help you better understand the cost of selling a house in PA.
What is Your Pennsylvania Home Worth?
Get a near-instant real estate house price estimate from HomeLight for free. Our tool analyzes the records of recently sold homes near you, your home’s last sale price, and other market trends to provide a preliminary range of value in under two minutes.
Housing trends in Pennsylvania
Like many areas across the U.S., the Pennsylvania housing market faces high interest rates and elevated home prices.
“The housing market is still very stable and strong. So we still have a lot of multiple offers, and I would say it leans toward a seller’s market. Inventory is increasing a little bit, but it’s still a strong sales market,” says Craig Lipchin, a top Pennsylvania real estate agent who works with over 72% more single-family homes than the average local agent.
Here’s a summary of the current real estate conditions in PA:
| As of April 2025 | |
| Days on market | 23 days |
| Median home sale price | $295,000 |
| List price vs. sale price | 98.9% |
| Supply of inventory | 3.73 months |
| Population growth year over year | +0.47% |
Sources: PA Realtors, World Population Review, various PA housing market sources
Sellers in Pennsylvania should pay attention to the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing to receiving a signed purchase agreement. In Pennsylvania, the average DOM is 23 days.
“Any home that is priced correctly and move-in ready, or even something that needs a little bit of attention, will potentially sell within the first weekend of being listed. So, I would be very surprised if a house were on the market for more than one or two weeks,” Lipchin says.
Start with a home value estimate
An important first step in estimating the cost of selling a house in PA is getting a home value estimate. Given the fluctuations in values and markets, checking your home’s worth is advisable. You might be pleasantly surprised by its value.
You can quickly request an online value estimate using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. This free automated valuation model (AVM) tool will analyze recent sales, local market trends, and your home’s latest selling price to provide a preliminary value range in under two minutes. Just enter your address to get started.
How much does it cost to sell a house in Pennsylvania?
Based on our research, the cost to sell a home in Pennsylvania typically ranges from 6% to 10% of your selling price.
For instance, if you sell your home for $295,000 — the median home price in Pennsylvania — your selling costs could be approximately $17,700 to $29,500.
The exact amount you will pay depends on your choices regarding home preparations, agent commissions, and any concessions you offer the buyer. Let’s take a closer look at the factors to consider when calculating the cost of selling a house in PA.
What are common expenses for sellers in Pennsylvania?
Lipchin notes that the cost of selling a house in Pennsylvania can vary significantly depending on your specific market.
“Obviously, it’s going to depend on whether, with the changes in the commission structure, the buyer pays the commission or the seller pays the commission on the buy side, so it will be between 8 and 10% depending on what location the house is in,” Lipchin says.
Several factors can affect the cost of preparing your home for sale, including its size, age, and condition. Below are estimated prices to guide you as you plan.
Prepping your house for sale
Preparing your Pennsylvania home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of your home’s final sale price. Based on the $295,000 median price of a home in the state, this could amount to approximately $4,425 to $7,965.
Here’s what these expenses involve:
- Pre-sale repairs: $4,500-$5,400, depending on the year your home was built and its maintenance.
- Staging the home: $1,500-$4,000 (recommended by PA agents for higher proceeds).
- Professional cleaning services: $118-$237, depending on the home’s size.
- Interior painting: $966-$3,086.
- Landscaping: $1,248-$6,281.
- Pre-listing inspection: $250-$500, if desired.
Before jumping in and addressing major projects like a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, meet with your agent. An experienced Pennsylvania real estate agent can advise you on what needs fixing and what doesn’t when selling your home.
Realtor fees in Pennsylvania
Agent commissions are among the most significant costs in a real estate transaction. In Pennsylvania, Realtor fees typically range from 2.5% to 6%, depending on whether you choose to pay the buyer’s agent commissions, which is no longer a given due to a landmark court settlement that changed commission rules nationwide.
Based on the median home price of $295,000 in Pennsylvania, you can expect to pay between $7,375 (2.5%) and $17,700 (6%) in real estate agent commissions.
While agent commissions may seem high, working with a skilled professional can help you maximize your final net proceeds. HomeLight transaction data shows that the top 5% of agents in the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average professional.
Later in this post, we’ll break down how commissions can affect your total selling costs in our at-a-glance analysis table.
Seller concessions
Seller concessions can increase the overall cost of selling a house in Pennsylvania. In addition to the direct costs of preparing your home and Realtor fees, there may be indirect costs during the transaction. These indirect costs can include seller concessions and buyer incentives.
A concession happens when a seller agrees to use part of their sale proceeds to cover some or all of a buyer’s closing costs. The amount of these costs will depend on your market and selling circumstances.
While sellers don’t have to offer concessions, it can attract more buyers, make your home stand out, or help close the deal. Here’s a quick rundown of some seller concession examples that might increase the cost of selling a house in PA:
- Home inspection fees: $296-$424, depending on square footage.
- Buyer’s home warranty: $450-$600 (more comprehensive plans can cost $1,200-$1,400).
- Repair credit: Seller credits vary and can lower your net proceeds.
Closing costs and additional fees
Your closing costs and additional fees (excluding agent commissions) will likely range from 2% to 4% of your home’s selling price. Using Pennsylvania’s median home price of $295,000, this would be between $5,900 and $11,800.
So, what closing costs do sellers incur in Pennsylvania? Here are examples of what you might find on your final settlement statement:
- Escrow fee
- Title insurance premiums
- Title search fees
- Tax liens or other judgments
- Homeowner’s association dues
- Reconveyance fee and recording fees
- Prorated property taxes
- Mortgage loan payoff amount (U.S. average: approximately $250,000)
- Pennsylvania’s real estate transfer tax
Pennsylvania’s transfer tax: Not all states charge a real estate transfer tax, but Pennsylvania charges a real estate transfer tax of 1% of the sale price. In addition, many local municipalities add their own tax, typically at least 1%. While it’s common for the buyer and seller to split the total tax equally, this can be negotiated as part of the sale.
At-a-glance home selling cost example for Pennsylvania
This at-a-glance analysis is based on the median home price of $295,000 in Pennsylvania. To keep things simple, this table does not include a mortgage payoff amount. These numbers may serve as a helpful planning tool as you get ready to sell your home.
| Prepping your home for sale | $5,900 | 2% |
| Realtor fees (commissions) | $8,850 | 3% (listing agent only) |
| Concessions, closing costs, taxes, fees | $8,850 | 3% |
| Transfer tax | $2,950 | 1% — This represents the seller’s share of the state transfer tax (1%) combined with their half of a typical 1% local transfer tax. |
| Total selling cost example | $26,550 | 9% |
*General estimates based on Pennsylvania’s median home price of $295,000
If you decide to cover the buyer’s agent fee: Add an estimated 2.5% or $7,375.
How much profit will you make? To gain a better understanding of your potential earnings after expenses, try HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator. This free tool considers all the selling costs discussed in this article, including your mortgage payoff amount.
Relocation expenses
One expense you might forget to factor in is the cost of relocating. Moving expenses vary based on your destination and whether you hire movers to haul your belongings. Here’s a general idea of what you might pay in PA:
- Typical cost to move: $883-$2,568
- Typical cost to move out of PA: $3,000-$9,500
How can I reduce my seller costs in Pennsylvania?
There are several effective strategies to lower the cost of selling a house in PA. Here are some ways to reduce seller costs:
- Make repairs yourself when possible.
- Negotiate a lower commission with your real estate agent.
- Use a discount-commission agent or brokerage.
- List your home for sale by owner (FSBO).
- Avoid offering seller concessions or buyer incentives.
- If you agree to cover closing costs or offer a repair credit, consider raising your home’s purchase price.
- Resist the temptation to over-improve or make unnecessary repairs when selling.
- Sell your house off-market.
- Time your home sale using HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator.
- Work with a top-performing PA agent who has a proven sale-to-list ratio.
Keep in mind that while a discount agent or broker may offer lower-cost services, they might lack the experience needed to close successfully, potentially costing you money in the end.
Lipchin explains that the average agent in his MLS maintains a list-to-sale price ratio of 94 to 95%. “Even if that agent charged a higher commission, it’s still on average making that seller 2 or 3% more on the sale process from experience, negotiation, and strategy,” he says.
Helpful tools for your next home purchase
As you prepare to buy your next home, check out these HomeLight tools and our modern Buy Before You Sell program:
Need Help Buying or Selling Your Pennsylvania Home?
Need help selling your home? Partner with a trusted, top agent in your Pennsylvania market. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to find you the best agent for your unique situation.
Partner and plan with a top Pennsylvania agent
A good first step when determining the cost of selling a house in PA is to get a home value estimate.
Then, you need to create a plan to maximize your profits. HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can introduce you to a top real estate agent in your Pennsylvania market who can help sell your property above its list price.
Typically, the cost to sell a house in Pennsylvania is 6% to 10% or more of your home’s final sale price.
“Hire a top service Realtor — they have better knowledge of the market. And if that seller is willing to listen to the experience of the agent, more than likely they’re going to net that seller more than an inexperienced agent would,” Lipchin says.
HomeLight’s Agent Match can connect you with the highest-performing agents in your market. A skilled agent can help you attract serious buyers fast and make the most of your sale.
Header Image Source (Vidar Nordli-Mathisen/Unsplash)
English (US) · 