What Is the Cost of Selling a House in South Carolina?

Published on May 28th, 2025
10 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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Like many South Carolina homeowners, your house is likely your largest asset, so deciding to sell is a big step. Whether you’re relocating, downsizing, or simply moving within the state, you want a smooth transaction that helps you get the most money from your sale.

As you get ready to sell, it’s important to understand the full cost of selling a house in South Carolina. This article will walk you through the typical expenses you might encounter and offer expert guidance to help you make informed decisions along the way.

Housing trends in South Carolina

Similar to the national landscape, the South Carolina housing market is facing high interest rates and elevated home prices.

“It’s still a bit of a seller’s market, and that’s due to a lower inventory, but the inventory is increasing. Prices are gradually increasing as well,” says Nancy Braun, a top South Carolina real estate agent with 29 years of experience.

Here’s a snapshot of today’s real estate conditions in South Carolina:

	As of April 2025
Days on market	69 days
Median home sale price	$377,900
List price vs. sale price	98.1%
Supply of inventory	4 months
Population growth year over year	+1.66%

Sources: South Carolina Realtors, World Population Review

Sellers in South Carolina should consider the days on market (DOM), which reflects the average time from listing to receiving a signed purchase agreement. In South Carolina, the average DOM is 69 days.

Start with a home value estimate

A key first step in understanding the costs of selling your South Carolina home is to get a reliable estimate of its value.

Given the rapid changes in market values, now is an excellent time to assess your home’s worth. 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 generate a preliminary value range in under two minutes. Just enter your home address to begin.

How much does it cost to sell a house in South Carolina?

Based on our findings, the cost to sell in South Carolina typically ranges from 6% to 10% of your selling price.

For instance, if you sell your home for $377,900 — the median home price in South Carolina — your selling costs could be approximately $22,674 to $37,790.

Which end of this estimate you can expect to pay will largely depend on your choices regarding home preparations, agent commissions, and any concessions you may offer to the buyer. Let’s explore the factors to consider when determining the cost of selling a house in South Carolina.

What are common expenses for sellers in South Carolina?

The cost of selling a house in South Carolina can vary based on the homeowner’s circumstances within the state’s evolving market.

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

Prepping your house for sale

Preparing your South Carolina home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of your home’s final sale price. Based on the $377,900 median price of a home in the state, this could amount to roughly $5,669 to $10,203.

Here are some pre-sale expenses you might need to pay:

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

Before attempting any major renovation projects, such as a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, consult with an agent. A skilled South Carolina real estate agent can advise you on what repairs are necessary and which are not when selling your home.

Braun recommends making minor improvements, such as painting or landscaping. “Whereas doing major changes like changing out the roof, windows, kitchen, or bath — those you really should consult with an agent to determine if you’re going to get an equal return on that investment,” she explains.

Realtor fees in South Carolina

Agent commissions are some of the largest costs in a real estate transaction. In South Carolina, 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 a given due to a landmark court settlement that changed commission rules across the U.S.

Based on the median home price of $377,900, South Carolina sellers can expect to pay between $9,447 (2.5%) and $22,674 (6%) in real estate agent commissions.

While agent commissions may seem high, working with a seasoned professional can make a huge impact on 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 post, we’ll look at 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 area. Also, HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can help you meet a top real estate agent in your South Carolina market.

Seller concessions

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

A concession happens when a seller agrees to use part of their proceeds to cover some or all of a buyer’s closing costs. The amount of these costs will depend on your market and selling situation.

While sellers are not obligated to offer concessions, they can attract more buyers, make your home stand out, and help close the deal. Here’s a quick overview of some seller concession examples that might increase the cost of selling a house in South Carolina:

Home inspection fees: $296-$424, depending on square footage.
Buyer’s home warranty: $350-$900 ($1,200-$1,400 for more comprehensive plans).
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 South Carolina’s median home price of $377,900, this range would be approximately $7,558 to $15,116.

So, what closing costs do sellers pay in South Carolina? Here are examples of the 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)
South Carolina real estate transfer tax

South Carolina’s transfer tax: Not all states have a real estate transfer tax, but in South Carolina, the rate is $1.85 per $500 of the sale price. Although sellers usually pay this tax, the payment can be negotiated — buyers and sellers may choose to split the cost or have the buyer pay it entirely.

At-a-glance home selling cost example for South Carolina

This at-a-glance analysis is based on South Carolina’s median home price of $377,900. For simplicity, this table does not include a mortgage payoff amount. These figures may help you in your planning:

Selling expense	Example costs*	% of home sale price
Prepping your home for sale	$7,558	2%
Realtor fees (commissions)	$11,337	3% (listing agent only)
Concessions, closing costs, taxes, fees	$11,337	3%
Transfer tax	$1,398.23	0.37% (or $1.85 per $500 of the sale price)
Total selling cost example	$31,630.23	8.37%

*General estimates based on South Carolina’s median home price of $377,900

If you cover the buyer’s agent fee, add an estimated 2.5% or $9,447.50.

How much profit will you make? To better understand 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 that may not come to mind is the cost of relocating. Moving expenses depend on your destination and whether you hire movers to pack your belongings. Here’s a general idea of what this costs:

Typical cost to move: $883-$2,568
Typical cost to move out of South Carolina: $3,000-$9,500

How can I reduce my seller costs in South Carolina?

There are several strategies to make selling a house in South Carolina less expensive. Here are some ways to reduce your costs:

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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina agent with a proven sale-to-list ratio

While a discount agent or broker may offer lower-cost services, they might lack the experience and skills to close successfully, potentially costing you money in the end.

“If you’re compromising on your agent, who’s going to be the one in charge of marketing your property, they can only do so much with so much compensation. So if you limit how much they’re paid, that’s probably going to equally limit how much marketing they’re going to do on your property,” says Braun.

Helpful tools for your next home purchase

As you prepare to buy your next house, explore these HomeLight tools and our modern Buy Before You Sell program:

It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process. To connect with an agent, simply tell us a little bit about your property and how soon you’re looking to sell.

Our data shows the top 5% of agents across the U.S. help clients sell their home for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent.

Partner and plan with a top South Carolina agent

If you’re trying to determine the cost of selling a house in South Carolina, a good first step is to secure a home value estimate.

Then, you need to create a plan to maximize your profits. HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with a leading real estate agent in your South Carolina market who can sell your house for more than its list price.

“Sellers really should consult with an agent to figure out the best investment back into the home to get the top dollar for their house,” Braun advises.

Typically, the cost to sell a house in South Carolina 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: (Roger Starnes Sr/ 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.

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.