What Is the Cost of Selling a House in Ohio?
- Published on
- 9 min read
-
Cheyenne Wiseman Associate EditorCloseCheyenne 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.
If you’re like many residents in Ohio, your home is probably 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’re prepared to sell and want the process to be as smooth as possible while maximizing your proceeds.
As you plan, it’s important to understand the potential costs associated with selling your Ohio home. In this article, we’ll outline the expenses you can anticipate and provide expert insights to give you a clearer picture of the cost of selling a house in Ohio.
Housing trends in Ohio
Similar to many areas across the nation, Ohio is facing high interest rates and elevated home prices.
“There’s still a ton of demand without a significant amount of inventory in areas, and a lot of homebuyers are still looking at multiple offers,” says Michael Azzam, a top Ohio real estate agent who sells 54% faster than average agents in his market.
Here’s a snapshot of today’s real estate conditions in Ohio:
As of April 2025 | |
Days on market | 32 days |
Median home sale price | $231,600 |
List price vs. sale price | 98.5% |
Supply of inventory | 2.7 months |
Population growth year over year | +0.5% |
Sources: Estimates gathered from various Ohio housing market data sources, World Population Review
As a seller in Ohio, one important statistic to note is the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing to receiving a signed purchase agreement. In Ohio, the average DOM is 32 days.
Start with a home value estimate
A great first step in estimating the cost of selling in Ohio is getting a home value estimate. Given how fast values and the market can change, checking your home’s worth is a wise 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 Ohio?
The answer varies. Based on our findings, the cost to sell a home in Ohio typically ranges from 6% to 10% of your selling price.
“The rule of thumb I think for most consumers that I’ve been advising is to plan around 8%,” says Azzam.
For example, if you sell your home for $231,600 — the median home price in Ohio — your selling costs could be approximately $13,896 to $23,160.
The exact amount you pay will largely depend on your choices regarding home preparations, agent commissions, and any concessions you may offer to the buyer. Next, we’ll take a closer look at the factors to consider when calculating the cost of selling a house in Ohio.
What are common expenses for sellers in Ohio?
The cost of selling a house in Ohio can differ based on the state’s evolving market, among other factors.
Your home’s size, age, and condition can also affect the cost of selling in Ohio. Below are estimated prices to guide you as you plan.
Prepping your house for sale
Preparing your Ohio home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of your home’s final sale price. Based on the $231,600 median price of a home in the state, this comes out to around $3,474 to $6,253.
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 Ohio agents for higher proceeds)
- Professional cleaning services: $118-$237, depending on the home’s size
- Interior painting: $966-$3,086
- Landscaping: $1,249-$6,280)
- Pre-listing home inspection: $250-$500 (if desired)
Before starting any major projects, such as a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, consult with your agent. An experienced Ohio real estate agent can advise you on what needs fixing and what not to fix when selling your home.
Realtor fees in Ohio
Agent commissions are some of the biggest costs in a real estate transaction. In Ohio, Realtor fees typically range from 2.5% to 6%, depending on whether you pay the buyer’s agent commissions, which is no longer a given due to a landmark court settlement that altered commission rules across the U.S.
Based on Ohio’s median home price of $231,600, you can expect to pay between $5,790 (2.5%) and $13,896 (6%) in real estate agent commissions.
This may seem like a high cost, but working with a knowledgeable professional can maximize 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 agent.
Later in this article, we’ll demonstrate how commissions can affect your total selling costs in our at-a-glance analysis chart.
HomeLight’s Agent Commissions Calculator can help you estimate your potential Realtor fees in your city. Also, try HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform to connect with a top real estate agent in your Ohio market.
Seller concessions
Seller concessions can increase the overall cost of selling a house in Ohio. Beyond the direct costs of preparing your home and Realtor fees, there may also be indirect costs like seller concessions and buyer incentives.
A concession happens when a seller agrees to use part of their sale proceeds to cover some or all of a buyer’s closing costs. The amount of these costs will depend on your market and selling circumstances.
“Especially with first-time home buyers, you’re seeing some closing costs being offered. 2 to 3% — it’s not mandatory, and it’s not in every purchase,” Azzam says.
While sellers are not obligated to make concessions, it can attract more buyers, help your home stand out, or facilitate closing. Here’s a quick overview of some seller concessions that might increase the cost of selling in Ohio:
- Home inspection fees: $296-$424, depending on square footage
- Buyer’s home warranty: $350-$900 (more comprehensive plans can cost $1,200-$1,400)
- Repair credit: Seller credits vary and can lower 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 Ohio’s median home price of $231,600, this would be between $4,632 and $9,264.
So, what closing costs do sellers need to pay in Ohio? 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)
- Real estate transfer tax
Ohio’s transfer tax: Not all states charge a real estate transfer tax, but in Ohio, sellers should budget to pay $1 per $1,000 of the property’s assessed value (or 0.1%). On top of this, individual counties can charge an extra transfer tax of up to $3 per $1,000 (or 0.3%), depending on local rules.
At-a-glance home selling cost example for Ohio
This at-a-glance analysis is based on Ohio’s median home price of $231,600. For simplicity, this table does not include a mortgage payoff amount. These figures may serve as a helpful planning tool as you get ready to sell.
Selling expense | Example costs* | % of home sale price |
---|---|---|
Prepping your home for sale | $4,632 | 2% |
Realtor fees (commissions) | $6,948 | 3% (listing agent only) |
Concessions, closing costs, taxes, fees | $6,948 | 3% |
Transfer tax | $926.4 | 0.4% — the maximum total transfer tax rate, including the statewide transfer tax (0.1%) plus the maximum county tax rate (0.3%) |
Total selling cost example | $19,454.4 | 8.4% |
*General estimates based on Ohio’s median home price of $231,600
If you decide to cover the buyer’s agent fee, add an estimated 2.5% or $5,790.
How much profit will you make? To gain a clearer understanding of your potential earnings after expenses, try HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator. This free tool considers all the selling costs discussed in this article, including your mortgage payoff amount.
Relocation expenses
One expense you might overlook is the cost of relocating. Moving expenses vary based on your destination and whether you hire movers to haul your belongings. Here’s a general idea of moving costs after selling your home:
- Typical cost to move: $882-$2,567
- Typical cost to move out of Ohio: $3,000-$9,500
How can I reduce my seller costs in Ohio?
There are several ways to lower the cost of selling a house in Ohio, some more effective than others. Here are some strategies that may help:
- Make repairs yourself when possible
- Negotiate a lower commission with your real estate 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 cover closing costs or provide a repair credit, consider raising your Ohio 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 Ohio agent with a proven sale-to-list ratio
“Request discounts from the title company. Work with the title company that the Realtor you’re working with has a good rapport with. Typically, those title companies that they’re frequently using can offer credits or repeat/preferred customer rates,” advises Azzam.
When it comes to using a discount agent or broker, keep in mind that while they may offer lower-cost services, they might lack the experience needed to close successfully. This could potentially cost you money in the end.
Helpful tools for your next home purchase
As you prepare to purchase your next home, explore these HomeLight tools and our innovative Buy Before You Sell program:
Partner and plan with a top Ohio agent
Getting a home value estimate is an important first step in determining the cost of selling a house in Ohio.
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 Ohio market who can help sell your property above its list price.
Typically, the cost to sell a house in Ohio ranges from 6% to 10% or more of your home’s final sale price.
“You want to work with the agent who is going to strategically market your property and has a plan in place that is going to help get you the maximum value for your property,” Azzam says.
HomeLight’s Agent Match can connect you with the highest-performing agents in your market who can help you make the most of your home sale.
Header Image Source: (Carl Schlabach / Unsplash)