A line-by-line look at what sellers pay at closing, from the agent commission to title charges to transfer taxes, and which costs you have a say in.
Most sellers walk into closing expecting to net the sale price minus their mortgage payoff. Then they sit down with the settlement statement and find several more line items subtracting from their proceeds.
None of these are scams. They're standard. But you should know what's there before you sign, and which lines are negotiable versus set by someone else.
Here's what sellers commonly see at closing, what each cost is for, and which ones you have any control over. Exact amounts depend on your state, county, lender, and contract, so your closing attorney's figures are the ones that count.
In a traditional transaction, the seller has often paid a listing agent commission and offered compensation to the buyer's agent, at whatever rates were agreed. Commissions are not set by law; they're negotiable, and there are alternatives.
With VroomBrick, you don't pay a listing agent commission. VroomBrick charges a 1% technology fee for the platform, paid by you at closing, from the sale proceeds. On a $400,000 home, a 1% technology fee is $4,000. If a seller's agent charged 3%, that would be $12,000, a difference of $8,000. Commissions are negotiable, so your number depends on what you'd have paid.
Before the 2024 NAR settlement, sellers commonly offered buyer's agent compensation through the listing.
Now, buyer's agent compensation is set out in a written agreement between the buyer and their agent. As a seller, you may decide to offer compensation for the buyer's side, but it's a separate decision and a separate line on your settlement statement. If the buyer is using VroomBrick, VroomBrick charges a 1% technology fee for the platform, paid by the seller at closing. You don't pay a buyer's agent commission.
Beyond commissions, sellers commonly see:
Who pays for the owner's title insurance policy and other title charges depends on local custom and your contract. Rates vary by state and provider; your closing attorney provides the figures.
State and local governments charge a tax when real property changes hands, and rates vary widely by jurisdiction. In Virginia, for example, the grantor (seller) tax is 50 cents for each $500 of value (Va. Code § 58.1-802, as of September 2026). Your closing attorney calculates the exact amounts for your state and county.
A licensed closing attorney handles your contracts and closing, including the title search and settlement. What the attorney charges varies; your closing attorney provides a quote, and the fee is part of your closing costs, itemized in your closing documents.
If property taxes are paid in arrears in your jurisdiction, you owe a prorated share for the days you owned the home in the current tax period. The amount depends on your local tax rate and where in the tax cycle the closing falls.
If the home is in an HOA, there may be a transfer fee and possibly a capital contribution to the association's reserve fund. These vary by community; your HOA's documents set them out.
Your remaining mortgage balance is paid off at closing, and there may be a small payoff statement fee and a fee to record the release of the mortgage.
If you agreed in the contract to give the buyer credits for repairs, closing costs, or anything else, those come out of your proceeds at closing.
| Cost | Who sets it | Changes with VroomBrick? |
|---|---|---|
| Listing agent commission | Negotiated in your listing agreement | Yes: VroomBrick's 1% technology fee takes its place |
| Buyer's side compensation | Your decision, in the contract | Only if you agree to offer it |
| Title charges | Title insurer, local custom, your contract | No |
| Transfer taxes and recording | State and local government | No |
| Closing attorney | Your closing attorney | No; part of closing costs, itemized in your closing documents |
| Prorated taxes and HOA | Tax authority, HOA | No |
| Concessions | Your contract | No |
Most closing costs are third-party charges set by the state, the county, the title insurer, or the HOA. Where you have a say:
The agent commission cost calculator compares an example commission with VroomBrick's 1% technology fee at any home value. The net sheet calculator breaks down the standard line items and estimates your proceeds after every cost.
The settlement statement shouldn't be the first time you see what you take home. Run your sale price through the net sheet calculator and the agent commission cost calculator before you list.
Run Your Numbers. We'll Handle the Rest.
About VroomBrick: VroomBrick is a real estate technology platform, not a licensed real estate brokerage. VroomBrick does not provide brokerage services, represent buyers or sellers, or hold real estate licenses. VroomBrick charges a 1% technology fee for the platform, paid by the seller at closing. You don't pay an agent commission on the side VroomBrick works with. Closing attorneys, showing agents, and lender partners are independent licensed professionals. Commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable. Savings examples are illustrative; actual savings vary by transaction.
About the Author
MBA · Army Veteran
Head of Partnerships at VroomBrick. Writes about how homeowners can keep more of their equity, what the post-NAR-settlement market actually looks like, and how buying or selling works with a 1% technology fee.
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