How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Monmouth County, NJ? What Sellers Really Need to Know

By Cori Dunphy, RE/MAX Real Estate Agent

So, you’ve been thinking about selling your house.

You’ve been watching the homes in your neighborhood. You’ve seen a few “Sold” signs pop up. And maybe you’ve even done a little late-night scrolling to see what your house might be worth.

Come on. You can admit it. We’ve all gone down a real estate rabbit hole.

But then comes the question I hear from homeowners all the time:

“Cori, if I sell my house, how much money will I actually walk away with?”

And THAT is a very different question from “What will my house sell for?”

Grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let’s talk about where your money goes when you sell a home in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Because the sale price is exciting.

The number you get to keep? That’s the one we really need to talk about.

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in New Jersey?

The cost to sell a house in New Jersey depends on the sale price, the terms you negotiate, and your individual situation. Common expenses can include real estate brokerage compensation, the New Jersey Realty Transfer Fee, attorney fees, and any repairs, buyer credits, or other agreed-upon costs.

You’ll also generally need to pay off any mortgage or other liens at closing. And if your home sells for more than $1 million, an additional state fee may apply.

There isn’t one magic percentage that works for every seller.

Two homeowners can sell similar houses on the same street for the same price and walk away with very different amounts.

Why?

Because their mortgages, repairs, agreements, and closing expenses may be completely different.

That’s why I like to talk about your estimated net proceeds early in the process.

In plain English?

It’s an estimate of how much money you may have left after your mortgage and selling expenses are paid.

And don’t worry. You do not need to be a math person to follow along. That’s what coffee, calculators, and your real estate agent are for.

Sale Price vs. Net Proceeds: What’s the Difference?

Let’s say your Monmouth County home sells for $750,000.

That’s the sale price.

It does not automatically mean $750,000 lands in your bank account.

First, you may need to account for things like:

• Your remaining mortgage balance and any other liens
• Real estate brokerage compensation you agreed to pay
• The New Jersey Realty Transfer Fee
• Attorney fees
• Property tax adjustments
• Repairs or credits negotiated with the buyer
• Other closing costs related to your particular sale

What remains after those items are accounted for is your estimated net proceeds.

Think of it like this:

Sale price − mortgage payoff − selling expenses = estimated net proceeds

And yes, I know. The subtraction part is not nearly as fun as looking at the sale price.

But knowing your numbers before you list can help you make better decisions about your next move.

What Is a Seller Net Sheet?

A seller net sheet is an estimate that breaks down your anticipated sale price, mortgage payoff, and selling expenses so you can see what you might walk away with at closing.

I like to think of it as your real estate reality check.

Not the scary kind.

The helpful kind.

A net sheet can help you answer questions like:

• Will I have enough money for a down payment on my next home?
• Does it make sense to make repairs before selling?
• How would a different sale price affect what I take home?
• What happens if a buyer asks for a credit?
• Can I afford to sell and downsize?

It’s an estimate, not a promise of your final proceeds, but it gives us a starting point.

And starting with a plan is a lot better than waiting until the closing table to discover an expense you didn’t expect.

What Costs Do Sellers Pay When Selling a Home in New Jersey?

Every transaction is different, but here are the expenses I want you to know about.

1. Your Mortgage Payoff

If you have a mortgage, the remaining amount generally needs to be paid when you sell your home.

That may sound obvious, but your actual payoff amount may be different from the balance you see when you log into your account.

Why? Your lender’s payoff statement can include interest through the payoff date and other applicable charges.

If you also have a home equity loan, line of credit, or other lien against the property, those may need to be addressed too.

And if your home is owned free and clear?

That’s wonderful—but you’ll still want to plan for the other costs involved in selling.

2. Real Estate Brokerage Compensation

Brokerage compensation is one of the expenses to discuss when you hire an agent to sell your home.

Here’s the important part: Real estate compensation is negotiable and is not set by law.

The amount you agree to pay, the services provided, and any arrangements involving the buyer’s representative should be discussed and documented in your agreements.

And please ask questions.

What is included in the marketing plan? Who is handling the photography? How will the home be promoted? How will offers be evaluated?

You should understand what you’re agreeing to and what services you’ll receive.

Selling a house is a big decision. You deserve a clear conversation, not a guessing game.

3. The New Jersey Realty Transfer Fee

When a property is sold in New Jersey, the seller generally pays a Realty Transfer Fee when the deed is recorded.

The amount is based on the consideration for the sale and the state’s fee schedule. Certain transactions may qualify for an exemption or a reduced fee.

For example, some qualifying senior citizens and people who are blind or disabled may be eligible for a partial exemption. Eligibility and paperwork matter, so this is something to discuss with your attorney or closing professional.

Here are examples using the standard fee schedule for a typical transaction with no exemption:

• $750,000 sale price: Estimated Realty Transfer Fee of $6,340
• $1,000,000 sale price: Estimated Realty Transfer Fee of $9,140
• $1,500,000 sale price: Estimated Realty Transfer Fee of $15,190

These are estimates of the standard Realty Transfer Fee only. The $1.5 million example may also be subject to an additional Graduated Percent Fee, which we’ll get to in a minute.

You can review the current rules on the New Jersey Division of Taxation website or use the New Jersey REALTORS® Realty Transfer Fee calculator.

4. The Additional Fee on Certain Sales Over $1 Million

Okay, this is the part where I need you to put your coffee down for a second.

If your home sells for more than $1 million, an additional New Jersey fee may apply.

You may have heard this called the “mansion tax.” Under the current rules, New Jersey calls it the Graduated Percent Fee, and the seller is responsible for it on applicable transactions.

For a covered sale above $1 million and up to $2 million, the rate is 1% of the total sale price—not just the amount over $1 million.

So, for example:

• A home selling for exactly $1,000,000 does not cross the “more than $1 million” threshold for this fee.
• A covered home selling for $1,500,000 would generally have an additional fee of $15,000, before any applicable exemption.

That $15,000 is in addition to the standard Realty Transfer Fee.

At the $1.5 million sale price, the two estimated fees together would be:

• Standard Realty Transfer Fee: $15,190
• Graduated Percent Fee: $15,000
• Estimated combined total: $30,190

Higher rates apply at higher sale-price thresholds, and exemptions can apply in certain situations.

If your home’s likely value is anywhere near $1 million, let’s talk about this before we put it on the market. The threshold can make a meaningful difference when we compare offers and estimate your proceeds.

Your attorney or closing professional can confirm how the rules apply to your transaction.

5. Attorney Fees and Closing-Related Expenses

Many New Jersey sellers work with a real estate attorney to help guide them through the transaction.

Your attorney can review documents, address legal questions, and help prepare for closing. Fees vary, so ask your attorney what services are included and whether any additional charges may apply.

Depending on your sale, there may also be other charges related to the closing, payoff of liens, or documents needed to transfer the property.

Your attorney and closing professional can help you understand which expenses apply to you.

6. Property Tax Adjustments

Property taxes can be one of those closing items that make people say:

“Wait. Why am I paying that?”

Property taxes are typically adjusted between the buyer and seller based on the closing date and what has already been paid.

Depending on the timing, you may owe an adjustment or receive a credit.

Your attorney or closing professional will calculate the details for your transaction. The key is to know that the number may appear on your closing statement, even if you’ve been paying your taxes regularly.

7. Repairs, Improvements, and Buyer Credits

This category can look very different from one house to the next.

You might decide to paint, make small repairs, refresh the landscaping, or take care of something before the house goes on the market.

Or a buyer may request a repair or credit during negotiations.

That doesn’t mean you need to renovate your entire house before selling.

In fact, please call me before you decide to rip out a perfectly functional kitchen because someone on the internet said every seller needs new cabinets.

Some improvements may help a home show better. Others may cost more than they’re worth for your particular property and market.

I’d rather walk through the house with you, look at the competition, and help you make a thoughtful plan.

Example: What Might a $750,000 Monmouth County Home Seller Walk Away With?

Let’s put some numbers together.

Imagine a homeowner sells a house for $750,000. For this example, we’ll assume a standard transaction with no Realty Transfer Fee exemption and a mortgage payoff of $250,000.

• Sale price: $750,000
• Mortgage payoff: −$250,000
• Standard NJ Realty Transfer Fee: −$6,340
• Attorney fee assumed for this example: −$1,500

That leaves $492,160 before other costs and adjustments.

Now, before you run off and start planning your next vacation, there’s more to the story.

The $492,160 figure is not a complete seller net estimate. It does not include brokerage compensation, other liens, buyer credits, repairs, tax adjustments, or other transaction-specific expenses. The attorney fee is an illustration, not a quote.

Those items would reduce or otherwise adjust the final amount.

That’s exactly why we create a personalized net sheet. A number that looks good on paper is only useful if it reflects your situation.

Request your personalized home value analysis here.

Do You Have to Pay Capital Gains Tax When You Sell Your Home?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Your potential tax situation depends on factors such as how long you owned and lived in the home, your cost basis, improvements, and whether you qualify for an exclusion.

And no, the answer isn’t simply “I sold my house for more than I paid, so I owe tax on all of it.”

There can be more to it than that.

Your accountant or tax professional can help you understand your individual situation before you make a decision.

If you’re moving out of New Jersey, ask your attorney or tax professional about the state’s rules for certain nonresident sellers as well. An estimated tax payment or withholding is not necessarily the same thing as your final tax liability.

Should You Spend Money Fixing Up Your House Before Selling?

It depends on the house, the competition, your timeline, and your budget.

Some sellers may benefit from painting, decluttering, fresh landscaping, or addressing visible repairs.

Others may be better off making fewer changes and pricing the home accordingly.

Here’s what I don’t want you to do:

Spend a lot of money on a project just because your neighbor’s cousin’s friend said you should.

Your neighbor’s cousin’s friend is not looking at your house, your local competition, or your numbers.

Before you start a major project, let’s walk through the home together. We can talk about what buyers are likely to notice, what your options are, and where your money may be best spent.

How Can You Estimate Your Home’s Selling Costs Before Listing?

Start with three things:

1. An estimated market value. We’ll look at your home, its condition, its location, and comparable properties.
2. Your approximate mortgage payoff. Your lender can provide the actual payoff amount when the time comes.
3. A personalized seller net sheet. This brings the estimated expenses together so you can see a more realistic picture.

I can help you look at different scenarios, too.

What if your home sells at one price versus another?

What if you make a few improvements first?

What if a buyer asks for a credit?

The point isn’t to predict every detail perfectly months in advance. It’s to give you enough information to plan confidently.

Thinking About Selling Your Home in Monmouth County?

Whether you’re in Marlboro, Morganville, or another Monmouth County community, you don’t have to figure all of this out on your own.

I live in Marlboro, and I’ve spent more than 20 years helping people buy and sell homes throughout New Jersey. I know that selling isn’t just about a house. It’s about what comes next—and having the information to make a decision that works for you.

So if you’ve been wondering:

“What is my home worth, and how much would I actually walk away with?”

Let’s find out.

Request your personalized home value analysis here.

You can also reach out and ask me for an estimated seller net sheet. We’ll talk through your home, your goals, and the costs that may apply to your situation.

No pressure. No complicated math homework. Just a straightforward conversation—and possibly coffee.

📞 732-213-0325
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About Cori Dunphy

Hi, I’m Cori Dunphy — a lifelong Monmouth County resident, Marlboro homeowner, and full-time REALTOR® with RE/MAX Central.

For more than 25 years, I’ve helped buyers and sellers throughout Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean Counties navigate one of life’s biggest decisions with confidence. Whether you’re purchasing your very first home, relocating to New Jersey, moving into a 55+ community, upgrading to your forever home, or preparing to sell, my goal is simple: to give you honest advice, expert guidance, and the local knowledge you won’t find on a national real estate website.

I created this website to be more than just a place to search for homes. It’s a growing resource filled with neighborhood guides, local market updates, buyer and seller tips, community spotlights, and everything you need to make informed real estate decisions right here in Monmouth County.

If you’re still researching, keep exploring. If you’re ready to make your move, I’d be honored to help.

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Let’s Get You Home — I’ll Bring the Coffee. ☕🏡

Real estate is about so much more than contracts and closing dates—it’s about finding the place where your next chapter begins.

Whether you’re ready to buy next week, sell next year, or you’re simply looking for honest answers from someone who truly knows Monmouth County, I’m here whenever you need me.

I look forward to helping you make your next move your best move.