By Tim Landy · October 3, 2026
The number that matters is what you walk away with, not the list price. Selling a house in Austin has real costs. Some are set by custom, some are negotiable, and a few things people expect from other states are not charged here at all.
Texas has no state income tax and no state property tax. There is also no state real estate transfer tax. That does not mean closing is free. Commission, title, a survey, prorated taxes, HOA items, repairs, and any concession you offer the buyer all leave the proceeds before you see a check.
We will not print a single “it costs 8 to 10%” figure. Commission is negotiable. A dollar net from someone else’s blog is not your net. The useful step is a net sheet for this house, built from your payoff and the costs that actually apply. Start that at home valuation or on the sellers page.
The Costs That Actually Leave the Proceeds
- Payoff of the current mortgage
- Commission
- Title and escrow charges
- Survey
- Prorated property taxes
- HOA resale items
- Repairs you agree to
- Any credit you give the buyer
What Texas Does Not Charge
No state property tax and no state real estate transfer tax. Local property tax still exists. It is a stack of school, city, county, and special-district bills, not one Austin rate.
Title, Survey, and Who Customarily Pays
In many Texas deals the seller pays for the owner’s title policy and a survey is negotiated. Custom is not the same as a statute. Your contract says who pays. Read that line before you assume it.
Prorated Taxes, HOA, and Repairs
You generally pay your share of property taxes through the closing date. HOA resale certificates and transfer fees vary by neighborhood. Repair credits come out of proceeds the same way a price cut does.
Concessions and a Rate Buydown Are Costs Too
A credit for the buyer’s closing costs, or help with their rate, is money off your net. It can be smarter than another small price cut. It is still a cost. Price the house from current comps first. That is the point of pricing and prep. For how today’s rates shape buyer math, see what happens to home prices when mortgage rates rise.
How to Read a Net Sheet Before You List
List price at the top, then each cost, then the mortgage payoff, then the check. If a line is an estimate, label it as an estimate. If the number you need is not in today’s comps, waiting can be the honest answer. The plan for that conversation is here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to sell a house in Texas?
Enough to change the check, and not one statewide percentage. Commission is negotiable. Title, survey, prorated taxes, HOA items, repairs, and buyer credits all come off the price before payoff. Ask for a net sheet on your house instead of a blog average.
Does Texas have a real estate transfer tax?
No state real estate transfer tax. You still settle local property taxes through the closing date. There is no state property tax either. The bill you prorate is local.
Who pays for the owner’s title policy in Texas?
The contract decides. In many Austin-area deals the seller pays for the owner’s title policy. That is custom, not a law that applies to every sale. Confirm it on your contract.
Are Realtor commissions a set percentage?
No. Compensation is negotiable. Do not budget from a round number you saw online until you have agreed on it in writing.
Do I pay property tax through the closing date?
Yes. Taxes are usually prorated. You cover your share through closing, and the buyer is responsible after that. The exact amount comes from the tax bill and the closing statement, not from a guess.
What will I actually net after the mortgage payoff?
Sale price, minus the costs above, minus what you still owe on the mortgage, including any payoff fees the lender quotes. That last number is yours alone. We will not publish a sample dollar net and call it typical.
Want a net sheet for your house? Talk with our team or call / text 512-693-8578.