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

Published on May 27th, 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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If you’re like many South Dakotans, your home is probably your most important asset. Selling it isn’t a decision to take lightly.

You may be considering a move to a different state, relocating to the suburbs, or downsizing to better suit your needs. Regardless of your motivations, you’re eager to sell and want the process to be as seamless as possible while maximizing your proceeds.

As you formulate your plan, it’s essential to understand the potential cost of selling a house in South Dakota. In this article, we’ll break down the expenses you can anticipate and provide expert insights to give you a better picture of what you can expect when selling your home in the Mount Rushmore State.

Housing trends in South Dakota

Similar to many areas across the nation, South Dakota is facing high interest rates and increased home prices.

“The South Dakota housing market is a bit unpredictable — it can feel a little crazy at times. Homes we expect to sell quickly sometimes sit, while others we think will take time, fly off the market,” says Amy Hix, a top South Dakota real estate agent with 10 years of experience.

Here’s a snapshot of South Dakota’s current real estate landscape:

	As of April 2025
Days on market	60 days
Median home sale price	$305,000
List price vs. sale price	98%
Population growth year over year	+0.69%

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

As a seller in South Dakota, one statistic to watch is the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing a home to securing a signed purchase agreement. In South Dakota, the average DOM is 60 days.

“Overall, demand is consistent, but the pace and interest can be inconsistent depending on price point, condition, and location,” Hix says.

Start with a home value estimate

Securing a home value estimate is a good first step when estimating the costs of selling your house in South Dakota.

Given the rapidly changing market, 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 will analyze recent sales, local market trends, and your South Dakota 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 South Dakota?

The most precise answer is that it varies. Based on our findings, the cost to sell a home in South Dakota could range from 6% to 10% of your selling price.

For instance, if you sell your home for $305,000 — the median home price in South Dakota — your seller costs could be approximately $18,300 to $30,500.

The specific costs you incur will depend on your choices regarding home prep, agent commissions, and any concessions you may offer the buyer. Next, let’s look at what you should consider when estimating the cost of selling a house in South Dakota.

What are common expenses for sellers in South Dakota?

The cost of selling a house in South Dakota can differ based on the seller’s circumstances within the state’s evolving market.

Your home’s size, age, and condition can affect the cost of preparing it for sale. The following estimated prices might help you in your planning.

Prepping your house for sale

Preparing your South Dakota home for sale typically costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of your home’s final sale price. Based on the $305,000 median home price in South Dakota, this could amount to approximately $4,575 to $8,235.

Here’s a closer look at these expenses:

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 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 undertaking any major projects, such as a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, meet with your agent. An experienced South Dakota real estate agent can advise you on what needs fixing and what doesn’t when selling your home.

Realtor fees in South Dakota

Agent commissions are among the biggest costs in a real estate transaction. In South Dakota, Realtor fees can 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 changed commission rules across the country.

Based on the median home price of $305,000 in South Dakota, you can expect to pay between $7,625 (2.5%) and $18,300 (6%) in real estate agent commissions.

While agent commissions may seem high, working with a professional can significantly improve your chances of a successful sale. 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.

“While commissions are technically negotiable, homes listed with a professional Realtor consistently sell for more and with fewer complications — often more than covering the cost of full-service representation,” says Hix.

Later in this post, we’ll show 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 top real estate agent in your South Dakota market.

Seller concessions

Seller concessions can raise the overall cost of selling a house in South Dakota. Beyond the direct costs of preparing your home and Realtor fees, indirect costs may arise during the transaction. This may include seller concessions and buyer incentives.

A concession occurs 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.

“Offering a closing cost credit to the buyer is still a common concession, especially in the more affordable price ranges. Some sellers also agree to cover a home warranty or address repair requests after inspection,” Hix says.

While sellers are not required to make 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 in South Dakota:

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 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 South Dakota’s median home price of $305,000, this would amount to between $6,100 and $12,200.

So, what closing costs do sellers incur in South Dakota? Here are examples of 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

South Dakota’s transfer tax: Not all states charge a real estate transfer tax, but in South Dakota, there’s a fee of $0.50 for every $500 (0.1%) of the sale price. The seller typically pays this fee.

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

This at-a-glance analysis is based on the median home price of $305,000 in South Dakota. To keep things simple, this table does not include a mortgage payoff amount. These figures may serve as a helpful planning tool as you get ready to sell your home.

At-a-glance table:

Selling expense	Example costs*	% of home sale price
Prepping your home for sale	$6,100	2%
Realtor fees (commissions)	$9,150	3% (listing agent only)
Concessions, closing costs, taxes, fees	$9,150	3%
Transfer tax	$305	0.1% (or $0.50 for every $500)
Total selling cost example	$24,705	8.1%

*General estimates based on South Dakota’s median home price of $305,000

If you decide to cover the buyer’s agent fee: Add an estimated 2.5% or $7,625.

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 cost you might overlook is the expense of relocating. Moving expenses vary based on where you’re going and whether you hire movers to pack and haul your belongings. Here’s a general idea of moving costs after selling your home:

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

How can I reduce my seller costs in South Dakota?

There are several ways you can lower the cost of selling a house in South Dakota. Here are a few strategies:

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

“Take the time to prepare your home before listing — decluttering, cleaning, and handling minor repairs can help you avoid price reductions or costly buyer repair credits down the road,” Hix advises.

Keep in mind that while a discount agent or broker may offer lower-cost services, they might lack the experience to close the sale successfully. This could result in you leaving money on the table in the end.

“A discount agent may save you a bit upfront, but a full-service Realtor brings experience, local knowledge, and strong negotiation skills that can lead to a higher net return,” says Hix.

Helpful tools for your next home purchase

Whether you’re staying in South Dakota or moving out of state, the following HomeLight tools and programs can help simplify the process:

Partner and plan with a top South Dakota agent

If you want to know the cost of selling a house in South Dakota, it’s a good idea to get a home value estimate.

Next, you need to devise a plan to maximize your profits. HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with a top real estate agent in your South Dakota market who can help sell your property above its list price.

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

“South Dakota may be a lower-cost market, but that doesn’t mean you should cut corners. Hiring a local, full-service Realtor who understands the nuances of your neighborhood and knows how to position your home properly can make all the difference in both your sale price and experience,” Hix 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: (Ty Downs/ 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.