What does it cost to sell a home in Palm Beach County?

Selling a home in Palm Beach County costs the Florida documentary stamp tax on the deed (70 cents per $100 of the sale price, or $7,000 on a $1,000,000 sale), the owner's title policy (which the seller typically pays here, though it is negotiable), the commission you negotiate in your listing agreement, closing and HOA fees, and any repairs or credits you agree to. Your payoff and property tax proration then come out before you see your net. There is no single percentage that fits every sale, which is why I build a net sheet with every seller before we set a price.

What is the documentary stamp tax, and how much is it?

Florida charges a documentary stamp tax on deeds at 70 cents per $100 of consideration (Section 201.02, Florida Statutes). In Palm Beach County the seller customarily pays it. The math is simple: divide the price by 100 and multiply by 0.70.

• $650,000 sale: $4,550
• $1,000,000 sale: $7,000
• $2,500,000 sale: $17,500

That is often the second-largest line on a seller's statement after the commission, and it surprises a lot of people moving up from out of state, where transfer taxes work differently.

Who pays for title insurance in Palm Beach County?

In Palm Beach County, the seller typically pays for the owner's title policy, and the seller's side usually chooses the title company. It is negotiable, though, and the purchase contract decides it. This is a county-by-county custom in Florida. Just north of us in Martin County, the buyer customarily pays, so if you have bought or sold in Stuart or Hobe Sound, do not assume the same rule here.

Title insurance premiums in Florida are set by state-promulgated rates, so the premium itself is not something you shop. What does vary are the title company's settlement, search and closing fees, and those are worth comparing.

How do commissions work when I sell?

Commissions are negotiable and are set in your listing agreement. Since the 2024 changes to how buyer agent compensation is handled, any compensation to a buyer's agent is negotiated separately and is not offered through the MLS. As a seller, you decide whether to offer it, and buyers can ask for it in their offer. When I sit down with a seller, I show what the listing commission covers and what a buyer-side request could look like, so neither number is a surprise at the offer stage.

What comes out for my mortgage and property taxes?

Your payoff. The payoff is not your statement balance. It includes interest through the payoff date and any lender fees. Any HELOC, second mortgage, judgment or municipal lien also has to be paid at closing. I ask sellers to order a payoff letter early if they have more than one lien.

Property tax proration. Florida property taxes are paid in arrears. In Palm Beach County, bills go out by November 1 and cover the calendar year, with a 4% discount for paying in November. So if you close in June, you have not paid this year's taxes yet, and you will credit the buyer for January 1 through the closing date. If you close in December after paying the bill, the buyer credits you back for the days after closing. On a home with a large tax bill, this line can move your net by thousands of dollars.

What HOA and condo costs should I expect?

Most homes in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and Wellington sit in an HOA, and many also sit in a CDD. Expect:

• Estoppel certificate. The association's statement of what is owed. Florida law caps estoppel fees and adjusts the cap for inflation, so ask the association for the current amount. Who pays is set by the contract.
• Dues proration for the month or quarter you close in.
• Special assessments that have been levied. Condo sellers in particular should check for assessments tied to milestone inspections or structural reserve funding.
• Transfer or capital contribution fees in some communities. These are often paid by the buyer, but check your documents.

Should I budget for repairs, credits and prep?

Yes. Under the AS IS contract you are not required to make repairs, but buyers often ask for a repair or credit after inspection, and insurance-driven items like an older roof or electrical panel can come up. A credit at closing is often easier than managing a contractor during your move. Before listing, there may also be costs for pre-listing repairs, painting, landscaping, cleaning, staging or a pre-inspection. Our page on getting a home market-ready in Palm Beach County covers what is worth doing.

Also check for open or expired permits with your city or the county building department. Title companies find them, and an old pool or window permit can hold up closing.

How do I build a seller net sheet?

A net sheet starts with your likely sale price and subtracts every line above. Here is the structure I use:

• Expected sale price, based on recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, not an online estimate
• Minus mortgage payoff and any other liens
• Minus documentary stamp tax (price x 0.007)
• Minus owner's title policy and title or settlement fees
• Minus listing commission and any buyer agent compensation you agree to
• Plus or minus property tax and HOA prorations
• Minus estoppel, any repairs or credits, and pre-listing costs
• Equals your estimated net proceeds

I run it at three prices: list price, a likely sale price, and a lower number. That tells you how much room you have to negotiate. If you are planning a move-up, that net becomes the starting point for your next budget; our page on buying before you sell in Palm Beach County shows how to use it.

Where do I start?

The Palm Beach County seller hub lays out the full selling process, and our guide to how a real valuation is done explains why the sale price line matters most. If you want your own net sheet, start with a home value estimate or call me at 561-352-3056, and I will walk through each line with your real payoff and tax numbers.

Published: June 3, 2026 | Updated: October 16, 2026