If you’re like many residents in Michigan, your home 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, you probably want the selling process to be as seamless and profitable as possible. As you plan your sale, understanding the costs involved in selling your Michigan home is essential. This article outlines what expenses you can expect and provides expert insights to help you navigate the selling process. Similar to the national real estate landscape, the Michigan housing market is facing high interest rates and rising home prices. “There’s lots of buyer activity in the market, and because it’s still generally a seller’s market, we’re seeing home values continue to appreciate. But now we’re back down to a more sustainable, normal level of appreciation—around 4% to 6% a year,” says Kate Hayman, a top Michigan real estate agent who works with over 65% more single-family homes than the average agent in her market. Here’s a snapshot of the current real estate conditions in Michigan: Sources: Redfin, World Population Review As a seller in Michigan, one important metric to consider is the days on market (DOM), which indicates the time from listing to securing a signed purchase agreement. In Michigan, the median DOM is 28 days. “When a home is priced appropriately for the market, it’s typically selling within three to seven days, especially in the cities or more popular areas,” says Hayman. “In more rural areas, like a client I have now who’s looking to buy 20 acres outside the metro, homes are taking more like 30 days. That’s simply because there’s less activity in those markets.” A critical first step in estimating the cost of selling your home in Michigan is to obtain an accurate home value estimate. Given the fluctuations in values and markets, checking your home’s worth before selling is advised. 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 utilizes recent sales data, local market trends, and your home’s latest selling price to provide a ballpark value range in under two minutes. Just enter your address to begin. The answer varies. Based on our research, the cost to sell a home in Michigan typically ranges from 6% to 10% of your home’s final selling price. For instance, if you sell your home for $249,100 — the median home price in Michigan — your selling costs could be approximately $14,946 to $24,910. Which end of this estimate you can expect to pay will largely depend on your choices regarding home preparations, agent commissions, and any concessions you plan to offer to the buyer. Let’s explore a breakdown of which expenses to consider when calculating the cost of selling a home in Michigan. Hayman notes that the cost of selling a house in Michigan can vary significantly based on the state’s evolving market. “Typically, you’ll pay between 6.5% and maybe as much as 8%, depending on the specifics — especially if there are additional costs like water escrows or a rent-back arrangement if you’re staying in the home after closing,” Hayman says. Several factors can affect the cost of preparing your home for sale, including its size, age, and condition. Below, we’ve included some estimated prices to guide you as you plan. Preparing your Michigan home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of your home’s final sale price. Based on the median price of a house in Michigan, this could range from $3,736 to $6,725. Here’s a breakdown of these expenses: Before undertaking major projects like a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, consult with your Realtor. An experienced Michigan real estate agent can advise you on what needs fixing and what repairs you can skip when prepping your home for listing. Agent commissions are among the most significant costs in a real estate transaction. In Michigan, 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 a given due to a landmark court settlement that changed commission rules nationwide. Based on the median home price of $249,100 in Michigan, you can expect to pay between $6,227.50 (2.5%) and $14,946 (6%) in real estate agent commissions. “The bulk of selling costs are the standard 6% commission (split between the listing and buyer’s agents), plus about 1% to 1.5% in additional costs, like title insurance and Michigan’s state transfer tax,” says Hayman. While agent commissions may seem high, working with a skilled professional can significantly impact your final net proceeds. HomeLight transaction data indicates that the top 5% of agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than average agents. Later in this post, we’ll illustrate how commissions might affect your total selling costs in our at-a-glance example chart.Housing trends in Michigan
As of April 2025 Days on market 28 days Median home sale price $249,100 List price vs. sale price 97.6% Supply of inventory 3 months Population growth year over year 0.56% Start with a home value estimate
How much does it cost to sell a house in Michigan?
What are common expenses for sellers in Michigan?
Prepping your house for sale
Realtor fees in Michigan
