How much does it cost to sell a house: taxes, expenses and variable costs

Are you thinking of selling your house and want to know how much it will really cost you? Find out about all the expenses involved: documents, taxes, agency fees, preparing the property, and special cases.

What are the costs of selling a house?

Selling a house can involve certain costs that must be incurred before or during the sale. The costs of selling a house vary depending on the situation: there are expenses you may have to pay to regularize the property, promote it properly, or comply with tax regulations.

Here are all the expenses to consider.

1. Costs for mandatory documentation

To sell a house, you need to submit a series of technical and legal documents. Some may be missing or out of date, in which case you will need to request them (for a fee).

Documents to request:

• Energy performance certificate (APE): required by law
• Cadastral survey and floor plan (updated): free if already available, otherwise they can be requested by a technician from the Revenue Agency
• Building permits and amnesties: any technical paperwork (amnesties, compliance)

2. Taxes and fees on the sale of a home

In some cases, the sale involves taxes or adjustments to be paid.

The most common are:

• Real estate capital gains: if you sell within 5 years of purchase (and it is not your primary residence), you may have to pay a tax on the capital gains, i.e., the profit made between purchase and sale. The tax can be up to 26% on the capital gain, except for exemptions.
• Loss of first home benefits: if you sell before 5 years without buying another first home within 12 months, you lose the benefit and will have to repay the difference between the first and second home taxes + any interest and penalties.
• Inheritance: if you have inherited the property, you may have to complete the acceptance of inheritance or regularize the cadastral transcription before the sale. This involves fixed taxes + any inheritance tax (only above certain value thresholds).

3. Charges related to building restrictions

In some cases, the house may be subject to subsidized building restrictions (e.g., former public housing). In these cases, a release or payment of a fee is often required to remove the restriction, with costs varying depending on the municipality.

4. Real estate agency commissions

If you decide to sell through an agency, you will have to pay a commission on the sale price.

The commission is paid only at the conclusion of the sale, at the closing, and includes: appraisal, promotion, management of visits, negotiations, documentation, and support up to the notary.

Relying on a professional increases the chances of selling and speeds up the process, reducing the risk of errors.

5. Costs for preparing the property

To sell well (and quickly), it is often a good idea to tidy up the house before viewings. Costs vary depending on the work involved.

• Some common expenses may include:
• Professional cleaning
• Painting walls
• Minor repairs (taps, fixtures, tiles)
• Professional photography services

These are optional but strategic expenses to enhance the value of the property: a well-presented home sells better and at a higher price.