What Is the Cost of Selling a House in Montana?

Published on May 28th, 2025
11 min read

Cheyenne Wiseman Associate Editor
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Cheyenne Wiseman Associate Editor

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Cheyenne Wiseman is an Associate Editor at HomeLight.com. Previously, she worked as a writer for Static Media (Mashed.com and Chowhound.com) and as an editor for CBR.com. Cheyenne holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis, where she also founded and led a literary magazine called Open Ceilings. She has four years of experience writing and editing on topics including real estate, financial advising, and pharmaceuticals.

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If you’re like many Montana residents, your home is your biggest asset. Selling it is a major decision. Whether you’re moving to a different state, relocating to the suburbs, or looking to downsize, you want the selling process to be as seamless as possible while maximizing your proceeds.

As you plan your sale, it’s important to understand the costs associated with selling your home. This article outlines the expenses you can expect and provides expert insights to give you a clearer picture of the cost of selling a house in Montana.

Housing trends in Montana

Similar to the national landscape, the Montana housing market is facing high interest rates and rising home prices.

“It depends on price range, location, and property type, but overall, the market is doing fine. Montana is still popular,” says Lance Koch, a top Montana real estate agent with 20 years of experience.

Here’s a table summarizing the current real estate conditions in Montana:

	As of April 2025
Days on market	61 days
Median home sale price	$495,000
List price vs. sale price	97.2%
Population growth year over year	+0.56%

Sources: Estimates gathered from various Montana housing market data sources, World Population Review

Montana sellers should pay attention to the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing to receiving a signed purchase agreement. In Montana, the average DOM is 61 days.

“If a home is in good condition, properly staged, has good photography, and is priced correctly, then it should sell relatively quickly. If one or two of those things are off, then it might take a while,” Koch says.

Start with a home value estimate

The first step in estimating the cost of selling your house in Montana is to obtain a home value estimate.

Given the fluctuations in values and the local market, checking your home’s worth is a smart idea. 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 uses recent sales data, 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 Montana?

Based on our research, the cost to sell a home in Montana typically ranges from 6% to 10% of your selling price.

For instance, if you sell your home for $495,000 — the median home price in Montana — your selling costs could be approximately $29,700 to $49,500.

Which end of this estimate you fall on largely depends on your choices regarding home preparations, agent commissions, and any concessions you may offer the buyer. Next, let’s look at the factors to consider when calculating the cost of selling a house in Montana.

What are common expenses for sellers in Montana?

Koch notes that the cost of selling a house in Montana can differ significantly based on the state’s evolving market.

“Every situation is different — it could come down to the neighborhood — but every sale is unique. It just depends on the circumstances. Sometimes the seller will have to give a little on inspection items. You never really know until you get into it,” Koch says.

Several factors, including size, age, and condition, can affect the cost of selling a house in Montana. Below are estimated prices to guide you as you plan.

Prepping your house for sale

Preparing your Montana home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of its final sale price. Based on the $495,000 median price of a home in the state, this could amount to $7,425 to $13,365.

Here’s an outline 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 Montana 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.

Consult with your agent before undertaking major projects like a kitchen remodel or roof replacement. A knowledgeable Montana real estate agent can advise you on what needs fixing and what you can skip when selling your home.

Realtor fees in Montana

Agent commissions are one of the highest costs in a real estate transaction. In Montana, Realtor fees typically range from 2.5% to 6%, depending on whether you opt 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 Montana’s median home price of $495,000, you can expect to pay between $12,375 (2.5%) and $29,700 (6%) in real estate agent commissions.

While agent commissions may seem high, working with a skilled professional can make a huge difference in the outcome of your sale. HomeLight transaction data shows that the top 5% of agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than average agents.

Later, we’ll break down how commissions might affect your total selling costs in our at-a-glance analysis chart.

Try HomeLight’s Agent Commissions Calculator to estimate your potential Realtor fees in your city. Also, explore HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform to find a skilled real estate agent in your Montana market.

Seller concessions

Seller concessions can increase the overall cost of selling a house in Montana. Beyond the direct costs of preparing your home and Realtor fees, there may also be indirect costs, such as seller concessions and buyer incentives.

A concession occurs when a seller uses part of their proceeds to cover some or all of a buyer’s closing costs. The exact costs will depend on your market and selling situation.

While sellers are not obligated to offer concessions, doing so can attract more buyers, help your home stand out in Montana’s market, and facilitate the closing process. Here’s a quick overview of some seller concession examples that you might consider:

Home inspection fees: $296-$424, depending on square footage.
Buyer’s home warranty: $450-$900 ($1,200-$1,400 for more comprehensive plans).
Repair credit: Seller credits vary and can reduce 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 Montana’s median home price of $495,000, this would be between $9,900 and $19,800.

So, what closing costs do Montana sellers need to pay? Here’s 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)

At-a-glance home selling cost example for Montana

This at-a-glance analysis is based on Montana’s median home price of $495,000. To simplify things, this table does not include a mortgage payoff amount. This chart may serve as a helpful tool as you plan to sell your home.

Selling expense	Example costs*	% of home sale price
Prepping your home for sale	$9,900	2%
Realtor fees (commissions)	$14,850	3% (listing agent only)
Concessions, closing costs, taxes, fees	$14,850	3%
Total selling cost example	$39,600	8%

*General estimates based on Montana’s median home price of $495,000

If you cover the buyer’s agent fee, add an estimated 2.5% or $12,375.

How much profit will you make? To get a better understanding of your potential earnings after expenses, try HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator. This free tool considers the above selling costs, including your mortgage payoff amount.

Relocation expenses

When thinking about costs, it’s easy to overlook the expenses tied to relocating. Moving expenses vary based on your destination and whether you hire movers to pack and haul your things. Here’s a general idea of what it costs to move:

Typical cost to move: $882-$2,567
Typical cost to move out of Montana: $3,000-$9,500

How can I reduce my seller costs in Montana?

There are several ways to lower the cost of selling a house in Montana. Here are some strategies to explore:

Make repairs yourself when possible.
Negotiate a lower commission with your 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 pay closing costs or offer a repair credit, consider raising your Montana 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 Montana agent with a proven sale-to-list ratio.

“Listen to your Realtor’s advice on staging so that your home presents itself well to consumers,” Koch advises. “If your home looks good and is priced correctly, you’re going to get buyer interest right away and potentially sell for full price.”

While a discount agent or broker may provide lower-cost services, they might lack the experience to close the sale successfully, potentially costing you money in the long run. As Koch puts it, “You get what you pay for.”

Helpful tools for your next home purchase

As you get ready to purchase your next house, try the following HomeLight tools and our modern Buy Before You Sell program:

Partner and plan with a top Montana agent

A smart first step when determining the costs of selling in Montana is to secure a home value estimate.

Then, create a plan to maximize your profits. HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can pair you with a top real estate agent in your Montana market who can help sell your property above its list price.

Typically, the cost to sell a house in Montana is 6% to 10% or more of your home’s final sale price.

HomeLight’s Agent Match can introduce you to the highest-performing agents in your market who can help you make the most of your home sale.

Header Image Source: (Elenaferns-photo / Deposit Photos)

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At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.

Cheyenne Wiseman

Associate Editor

Cheyenne Wiseman is an Associate Editor at HomeLight.com. Previously, she worked as a writer for Static Media (Mashed.com and Chowhound.com) and as an editor for CBR.com. Cheyenne holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis, where she also founded and led a literary magazine called Open Ceilings. She has four years of experience writing and editing on topics including real estate, financial advising, and pharmaceuticals.