How Much Does It Cost to Sell and Move?

When people think about selling a home and moving, they often focus on the purchase price of the next home. But the total cost of making the move can include many other expenses.

Knowing the likely costs can help you compare staying with moving.

Costs of selling your present home

Depending on your situation, selling costs may include real estate commissions, closing costs, repairs, cleaning, painting, staging, legal or administrative costs, and other expenses connected with preparing and completing the sale.

Costs of buying the new home

Buying a different home can involve closing costs, inspections, lender costs, moving-related timing costs, and other purchase expenses. The exact costs depend on the transaction.

Moving costs

Moving may include movers, packing materials, packing help, storage, travel, temporary lodging, and other expenses. If you are moving a long distance, travel-related costs can become more important.

Repairs before the sale

Some homeowners make repairs or improvements before listing their home. Consider whether an expense is necessary to sell, likely to improve the sale, or simply something you would prefer to do.

Ongoing costs matter too

One-time moving costs are only part of the decision. Compare the yearly cost of the present home with the expected yearly cost of the new home, including mortgage principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, repairs and maintenance, utilities, and HOA (Home Owners Association fee) costs when applicable.

A simple example

Suppose moving would reduce your yearly home costs by $4,000, but your selling and moving costs total $20,000. It would take about five years of that yearly difference to equal the one-time moving cost.

This is not a recommendation to move or stay. It is simply a way to understand the financial relationship between one-time costs and yearly savings.

Don't forget the non-financial costs

Moving can also mean leaving familiar neighbors, changing routines, traveling farther to see friends or family, or adapting to a different layout. These factors may be difficult to price, but they are still part of the decision.

Put all of the information together

The best comparison is not one number. It is a combination of yearly costs, one-time selling and moving costs, and the features that matter to you.