If you’re like many homeowners in San Diego, your property is probably your most significant financial asset. Selling it is a major decision. Whether you’re moving to a different state, relocating to the suburbs, or looking to downsize, your goal is likely a smooth sale and the best possible return. As you plan your sale, understanding the costs associated with selling your San Diego home is essential in avoiding surprises at the closing table. This article outlines the expenses you can expect and provides expert insights to give you a clearer picture of selling costs in San Diego. Similar to other parts of California, the San Diego housing market is facing high interest rates and elevated home prices. “We have a seller’s market in San Diego. It is cooling, relative to the same time period last year,” says Woody Henderson, a top San Diego real estate agent who has over 20 years of experience. Here’s a snapshot of the current real estate landscape in San Diego: As a seller in San Diego, one useful metric to consider is the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing a home to securing a signed purchase agreement. In San Diego, the average DOM is 14 days. When estimating the cost of selling your San Diego home, a great first step is to obtain an accurate home value estimate. Given the rapid changes in market values and local trends, now is a good time to check what your home is worth. You might be pleasantly surprised by its value. You can quickly get an online value estimate using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. This free automated valuation model (AVM) tool utilizes recent sales data, local market trends, and your home’s latest selling price to provide a ballpark value range in less than two minutes. Simply enter your address to begin. The answer varies. Based on our findings, the cost to sell a home in San Diego typically ranges from 6% to 10% of your selling price. For instance, if you sell your home for $1,250,000 — the median home price in San Diego — your selling costs could fall anywhere between $75,000 and $125,000. The exact amount you’ll pay largely depends on your choices regarding home preparations, agent commissions, and any concessions you may offer to the buyer. Let’s explore the main factors that influence the cost of selling a house in San Diego. Henderson notes that the cost of selling a home in San Diego can differ significantly based on the current market conditions. “The cost of selling your home in San Diego depends on a number of things. One of the biggest costs is the fee that you’ll pay to a real estate agent,” Henderson says. “There are other options — you can attempt to sell on your own and do a for-sale-by-owner, or sell it to a neighbor or a friend, where your costs may be lower.” Several factors can affect the cost of preparing your home for sale, including its size, age, and current condition. Below are some estimated costs to guide you as you plan. Preparing your San Diego home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of its final sale price. Based on the median home price, this could amount to between $18,750 and $33,750. Here’s a breakdown of potential expenses: Before taking on any major projects like a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, consult with your Realtor. An experienced San Diego agent can advise on necessary repairs when selling your home, as well as what not to fix. Agent commissions are among the most significant expenses in a real estate transaction. In San Diego, 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 required due to a recent court settlement that changed commission rules nationwide. Based on the median home price of $1,250,000 in San Diego, you can expect to pay between $31,250 (2.5%) and $75,000 (6%) in agent fees. While agent commissions may seem high, working with a talented professional can significantly impact your final net proceeds. HomeLight data shows that the top 5% of agents in the country sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents. Later in this post, we’ll demonstrate how commissions can affect your total selling costs in our at-a-glance example chart.Housing trends in San Diego
As of April 2025 Days on market 14 days Median home sale price $1,250,000 List price vs. sale price 100% Number of closed home sales year over year +14.4% Population growth year over year +0.05% Start with a home value estimate
How much does it cost to sell a house in San Diego?
What are common expenses for sellers in San Diego?
Prepping your house for sale
Realtor fees in San Diego
