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\n <\/div>\n \n Connect with a Top Agent to Help Maximize Value<\/h3>\n
Even rockstar agents can’t make your tax liability disappear, but HomeLight data shows that 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, helping offset the tax bill.<\/p>\n \n
What are transfer taxes?<\/h2>\n
Real estate transfer taxes are charges that apply when a property\u2019s ownership officially changes hands. According to the Federal Trade Commission<\/a>, these taxes are imposed at the state or local level when the title\u2014or legal ownership\u2014of a home is transferred from the seller to the buyer. The tax is typically based on the property’s sale price and is usually paid at closing.<\/p>\n The exact amount you\u2019ll owe depends on where the property is located, as each state, county, or city sets its own rates and rules. Like other public taxes, real estate transfer taxes help generate revenue<\/a> for government services, such as infrastructure and community development.<\/p>\n