What Is the Cost of Selling a House in Alaska?

If you’re like many residents in Alaska, your home is probably your most significant asset. Choosing to sell it is a major decision.

You may be considering a move to another state, relocating to the suburbs, or downsizing to better suit your needs. Regardless of your motivations, you’re aiming for a smooth, low-stress process that leaves you with the strongest possible financial outcome.

As you plan your sale, it’s essential to understand the potential costs associated with selling a house in Alaska. This article outlines the expenses you can anticipate and provides expert insights to give you a clearer picture of what to expect throughout the selling process.

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Housing trends in Alaska

Similar to the rest of the nation, Alaska’s housing market is feeling the impact of high interest rates and increasing home prices.

“For sellers that we work with, if we price the market accordingly, we always get competing offers. Since 2020, it’s been very tough to find a property for buyers in our area, and it’s still our struggle today,” says Uzzil Christian, a top Alaska real estate agent with over 17 years of experience.

Here’s a snapshot of the current real estate landscape in Alaska:

Sources: Multiple Alaska housing market data sources, World Population Review

As a seller in Alaska, one important statistic to note is the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing a property to securing a signed purchase agreement. As of April 2025, the median DOM in Alaska is 26 days.

Start with a home value estimate

A smart first step when estimating the cost of selling your house in Alaska is to obtain a home value estimate. Given the quick changes in home values and local market trends, it’s never too early to assess what your home is worth. You might be pleasantly surprised by its value.

To get an initial idea, you can request an online value estimate through HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. This free automated valuation model (AVM) tool quickly analyses recent sales data, local trends, and your home’s latest selling price to provide a preliminary value range in less than two minutes. Simply enter your address to get started.

How much does it cost to sell a house in Alaska?

The short answer: it depends. Based on our findings, the cost to sell a home in Alaska usually ranges from 6% to 10% of your final selling price.

For instance, if you sell your home for $382,700 — the median home price in Alaska — your selling costs could be approximately $22,962 to $38,270.

The specific costs you incur will largely depend on how much you choose to spend on home preparations, agent commissions, and any concessions offered to the buyer. Let’s explore the main factors you should consider when estimating the cost of selling a house in Alaska.

What are common expenses for sellers in Alaska?

Christian notes that the cost of selling a house in Alaska can vary significantly based on individual circumstances within the state’s evolving market.

“For sellers, you want to allocate between 8% and 9% of the sales price, with financing. For cash deals, you are looking at 6% to 7% for transactions,” Christian says.

Several factors can influence the cost of prepping your home for sale, including its size, age, and condition. The following estimated prices can serve as a guide to assist you in your planning.

Prepping your house for sale

Preparing your home for sale typically costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of your home’s final sale price. Based on the median price of a house in Alaska, this could fall anywhere between $5,740 and $10,333.

Here’s a breakdown of these expenses:

• 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 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 taking on any major projects, such as remodeling your kitchen or replacing a failed septic system, consult with your Realtor. A seasoned Alaska real estate agent can advise you on what needs fixing and what repairs to skip when selling your home.

“We warn our sellers ahead of time, because replacing a septic is really expensive in Alaska,” Christian says.

Realtor fees in Alaska

Agent commissions are one of the largest expenses involved in a real estate transaction. In Alaska, Realtor fees can range from 2.5% to 6%, depending on whether you cover the buyer’s agent commissions. This is no longer required, due to a landmark court settlement that altered commission rules nationwide.

Based on the median home price of $382,700 in Alaska, you can expect to pay between $9,568 (2.5%) and $22,962 (6%) in real estate agent commissions.

Although agent commissions may seem steep, teaming up with a skilled professional is one of the most effective ways to boost your final net proceeds. HomeLight transaction data indicates that the top 5% of agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent.

Later in this post, we’ll show how commissions might affect your total selling costs in our overview example chart.