What Is the Cost of Selling a House in San Diego?

Published on May 29th, 2025
11 min read

Alexandra Lee Associate Editor
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Alexandra Lee Associate Editor

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Alexandra is an associate editor of HomeLight.com. Previously, she served as a writer and social media manager at Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine, in addition to interning at the nonprofit honors society Phi Beta Kappa. Alexandra holds a bachelor's degree in communication and global studies from UC Santa Barbara, and she has three years of experience reporting on topics including international travel, luxury properties, celebrity interviews, fine dining, and more.

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If you’re like many homeowners in San Diego, your property is probably your most significant financial asset. Selling it is a major decision. Whether you’re moving to a different state, relocating to the suburbs, or looking to downsize, your goal is likely a smooth sale and the best possible return.

As you plan your sale, understanding the costs associated with selling your San Diego home is essential in avoiding surprises at the closing table. This article outlines the expenses you can expect and provides expert insights to give you a clearer picture of selling costs in San Diego.

Housing trends in San Diego

Similar to other parts of California, the San Diego housing market is facing high interest rates and elevated home prices.

“We have a seller’s market in San Diego. It is cooling, relative to the same time period last year,” says Woody Henderson, a top San Diego real estate agent who has over 20 years of experience.

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

	As of April 2025
Days on market	14 days
Median home sale price	$1,250,000
List price vs. sale price	100%
Number of closed home sales year over year	+14.4%
Population growth year over year	+0.05%

Sources: California Association of Realtors, World Population Review

As a seller in San Diego, one useful metric to consider is the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing a home to securing a signed purchase agreement. In San Diego, the average DOM is 14 days.

Start with a home value estimate

When estimating the cost of selling your San Diego home, a great first step is to obtain an accurate home value estimate. Given the rapid changes in market values and local trends, now is a good time to check what your home is worth. You might be pleasantly surprised by its value.

You can quickly get an online value estimate using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. This free automated valuation model (AVM) tool utilizes recent sales data, local market trends, and your home’s latest selling price to provide a ballpark value range in less than two minutes. Simply enter your address to begin.

How much does it cost to sell a house in San Diego?

The answer varies. Based on our findings, the cost to sell a home in San Diego typically ranges from 6% to 10% of your selling price.

For instance, if you sell your home for $1,250,000 — the median home price in San Diego — your selling costs could fall anywhere between $75,000 and $125,000.

The exact amount you’ll pay largely depends on your choices regarding home preparations, agent commissions, and any concessions you may offer to the buyer. Let’s explore the main factors that influence the cost of selling a house in San Diego.

What are common expenses for sellers in San Diego?

Henderson notes that the cost of selling a home in San Diego can differ significantly based on the current market conditions.

“The cost of selling your home in San Diego depends on a number of things. One of the biggest costs is the fee that you’ll pay to a real estate agent,” Henderson says. “There are other options — you can attempt to sell on your own and do a for-sale-by-owner, or sell it to a neighbor or a friend, where your costs may be lower.”

Several factors can affect the cost of preparing your home for sale, including its size, age, and current condition. Below are some estimated costs to guide you as you plan.

Prepping your house for sale

Preparing your San Diego home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of its final sale price. Based on the median home price, this could amount to between $18,750 and $33,750.

Here’s a breakdown of potential expenses:

Pre-sale repairs: $4,500-$5,400, depending on the year your home was built and its maintenance.
Staging: $1,500-$4,000 (recommended by agents for higher proceeds).
Professional cleaning: $118-$237, based on home size.
Interior painting: $966-$3,086.
Landscaping: $1,248-$6,281.
Pre-listing inspection: $250-$500, if desired.

Before taking on any major projects like a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, consult with your Realtor. An experienced San Diego agent can advise on necessary repairs when selling your home, as well as what not to fix.

Realtor fees in San Diego

Agent commissions are among the most significant expenses in a real estate transaction. In San Diego, Realtor fees typically range from 2.5% to 6%, depending on whether you choose to pay the buyer’s agent commissions, which is no longer required due to a recent court settlement that changed commission rules nationwide.

Based on the median home price of $1,250,000 in San Diego, you can expect to pay between $31,250 (2.5%) and $75,000 (6%) in agent fees.

While agent commissions may seem high, working with a talented professional can significantly impact your final net proceeds. HomeLight data shows that the top 5% of agents in the country sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents.

Later in this post, we’ll demonstrate how commissions can affect your total selling costs in our at-a-glance example chart.

Check out HomeLight’s Agent Commissions Calculator to estimate Realtor fees in your area. Also, explore HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform to connect with a top-performing real estate agent in San Diego.

Seller concessions

Seller concessions can also increase the overall cost of selling a home in San Diego. Beyond the direct costs of preparing your home and paying Realtor fees, there may be indirect costs that arise during the transaction, such as seller concessions and buyer incentives.

“Because of where we are with interest rates, sellers may be asked to provide a credit to a buyer for an interest rate buydown, which helps a buyer have a more affordable monthly payment,” Henderson says.

Although sellers are not obligated to offer concessions, choosing to do so can potentially attract more buyers, help your home stand out, or even facilitate closing a deal. Here are some examples of seller concessions that may increase your selling costs in San Diego:

Home inspection fees: $296-$424, depending on size.
Buyer’s home warranty: $350-$900 (more comprehensive plans can cost $1,200-$1,400).
Repair credits: 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. With San Diego’s median home price of $1,250,000, this would amount to between $25,000 and $50,000.

So, what types of closing costs do sellers incur in San Diego? Here are some line items you’ll 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

San Diego’s transfer tax: Not all states charge a real estate transfer tax, but in San Diego, sellers should budget to pay $1.10 per every $1,000 of property value.

At-a-glance home selling cost example for San Diego

This at-a-glance analysis is based on the median home price of $1,250,000 in San Diego. For simplicity, this table does not include a mortgage payoff amount. These figures may serve as a helpful planning tool as you prepare to sell your home.

Selling expense	Example costs*	% of home sale price
Prepping your home for sale	$25,000	2%
Realtor fees (commissions)	$37,500	3% (listing agent only)
Concessions, closing costs, taxes, fees	$37,500	3%
Transfer tax	$1,375	0.11%
Total selling cost example	$101,375	8.11%

*General estimates based on San Diego’s median home price of $1,250,000

If you decide to cover the buyer’s agent fee, add an estimated 2.5%, or $31,250.

How much profit will you make? To gain a clearer understanding of your potential earnings after expenses, try out HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator. This free tool considers all the selling costs discussed in this post, including your mortgage payoff amount.

Relocation expenses

One expense that’s often overlooked is the cost of relocating. Moving expenses vary based on your destination and whether you choose to hire movers to pack your belongings. Here’s a general idea of moving costs after selling your home:

Typical moving cost: $883-$2,568
Typical out-of-state moving cost: $3,000-$9,500

How can I reduce my seller costs in San Diego?

There are various strategies to help lower the cost of selling a home in San Diego, some more impactful than others. Here are some ways to reduce seller costs:

Handle 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 home’s purchase price
Resist the temptation to over-improve or make unnecessary repairs when selling
Sell your house off-market
Time your sale using HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator
Work with a top-performing agent with a proven sale-to-list ratio

“Oftentimes, you’re going to have discount brokerages where you may pay less, but ultimately you may be paying more because you’re leaving money on the table and not selling that home for top dollar, not getting the best benefit, not getting the kind of marketing that helps sell your home and get you top dollar,” Henderson says.

While a discount agent or broker may offer lower fees, they might lack the experience needed to successfully close the sale, potentially costing you more money in the long run.

Helpful tools for your next home purchase

As you prepare for your next home purchase, consider these HomeLight tools and our innovative Buy Before You Sell program:

Partner and plan with a top San Diego agent

Typically, the cost to sell a house in San Diego is 6% to 10% (or more) of your home’s final sale price. An important first step in determining the cost of selling your own San Diego property is to obtain a home value estimate.

Next, you can create a plan to maximize your profits. HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with top-rated real estate agent in San Diego who can help you sell your property for over asking price.

“To sum it up, who you work with matters. You want a professional who understands the market and what it takes from start to finish, and somebody who’s dedicated to ensuring that you have the best possible experience,” Henderson says.

HomeLight’s Agent Match can connect you with the highest-performing agents in your San Diego market who can help you make the most of your home sale.

Header Image Source: (Hakan Toker/Unsplash)

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.

Alexandra Lee

Associate Editor

Alexandra is an associate editor of HomeLight.com. Previously, she served as a writer and social media manager at Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine, in addition to interning at the nonprofit honors society Phi Beta Kappa. Alexandra holds a bachelor's degree in communication and global studies from UC Santa Barbara, and she has three years of experience reporting on topics including international travel, luxury properties, celebrity interviews, fine dining, and more.