When selling a house on the traditional real estate market, you can count on paying closing costs. These costs include commissions, taxes, escrow fees, and other payments needed to complete the transaction. When considered alongside expenses like staging, painting, and repairs, closing costs can really add up.

Here is a summary of the closing costs Atlanta house sellers can expect, and how selling with an off-market buyer like HomeVestors^® can help you on closing day.

Both the buyer and the seller have their own closing costs to cover. Here are the main closing costs for a seller in the Atlanta area:

• Real estate agent commissions: The average real estate commission rate in the Atlanta area is 5.8% of the house’s sale price. This payment is typically divided between the buyer’s and the seller’s agent. Some sellers find it useful to offer an additional bonus to the buyer’s real estate agent to attract more prospects to their listing.
• Transfer taxes: Georgia charges a transfer tax when a house changes hands. The rate is $1 for the first $1,000 of the sales price, then $.10 for each additional $100. For example, the transfer tax on a property that sells for $500,000 will be $500, and the transfer tax for a $250,000 house will come to $250.
• Property tax proration: Unless the buyer agrees to another arrangement, the seller will be responsible for property taxes up to the closing date. If the sale closes on May 31st, the seller will need to credit the buyer for the first 5 months of the calendar year (in this case, January through May).
• Unpaid HOA (homeowners association) fees and condominium dues: Condo owners and HOA members will need to cover any unpaid fees or dues. Just like with taxes, these can be prorated based on the closing date.
• Loan reconveyance fee: A reconveyance deed is proof that the seller paid off their mortgage, and it averages between $50–$65.
• Escrow fees: Escrow fees in Georgia average between $300–$600 and are often split equally between the buyer and the seller.
• Attorney fees: Georgia law requires a licensed attorney to oversee any real estate transaction. The attorney’s main job is to prepare and review documents, and only one attorney is required for most sales. The average cost is $500–$1,500 and can be covered by either the buyer or the seller.
• Seller concessions: Seller concessions are simply expenses that the seller agrees to cover for the buyer. Many sellers will deduct the cost of major and minor repairs from the final sale price of the house rather than make the repairs themselves. Other seller concessions that often come up in Georgia are termite bonds and flood insurance. Home warranties are another common concession. Occasionally, sellers will agree to pay some or all the buyer’s closing costs to help the deal go more smoothly.

In most cases, the largest closing costs associated with house sales are real estate commissions. Major repairs can add up as well.

The US government-backed mortgage company Fannie Mae offers an online closing cost calculator that will give you an idea of what your closing costs will be. This calculator is more focused on buyers than sellers, so you will want to factor in what you will be paying in real estate commissions.