Home Sale Calculator

What Are Net Proceeds?

Net proceeds are the actual cash you receive after selling your home. It's your sale price minus all selling expenses and mortgage payoff.

Simple Home Sale Formula

Net Proceeds = Sale Price - Total Expenses - Mortgage Payoff

For example:

• Sale Price: $500,000
• Total Expenses: $35,000 (commission, fees, repairs)
• Mortgage Payoff: $280,000
• Net Proceeds: $185,000

What's a Good Return on Home Sale?

• 8-12% costs: Normal selling expenses (including 6% realtor commission)
• 15%+ costs: High expense ratio, consider reducing costs
• Break-even or loss: May want to wait for better market conditions
• $50,000+ proceeds: Good equity realization for most homeowners

How to Use the Home Sale Calculator

Step 1: Enter Sale Information

The calculator starts with sample data. Replace it with your home details:

1. Sale Price: Enter your expected selling price (check recent comparables)
2. Remaining Mortgage Balance: Enter what you still owe (check latest statement)
3. Realtor Commission: Enter total commission percentage (typically 5-6%)

Step 2: Add Selling Expenses

Include all costs to sell your home:

1. Closing Costs: Title insurance, escrow, attorney fees (typically $2,000-5,000)
2. Home Repairs/Staging: Pre-sale improvements to maximize price
3. Moving Expenses: Professional movers, truck rental, storage

Step 3: Review Your Results

The calculator shows your financial breakdown:

• Green numbers = money you receive
• Red numbers = money you pay out
• Net Proceeds = actual cash in your pocket

Quick Tips

• Get a recent mortgage statement for exact balance
• Research recent home sales in your area for realistic pricing
• Budget 8-12% of sale price for total expenses
• The calculator updates automatically as you change numbers

Frequently Asked Questions

What's included in realtor commission?

Realtor commission (typically 5-6%) is split between your listing agent and the buyer's agent. This covers marketing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork.

Should I do repairs before selling?

Focus on repairs that add value or fix major issues that could derail a sale. Avoid over-improving - you rarely get 100% return on renovations.

What if my net proceeds are negative?

Negative proceeds mean you owe money to sell. Consider waiting for market improvement, reducing sale price expectations, or negotiating lower commissions/fees.

How accurate is the break-even price?

The break-even price shows what you need to sell for to net $0. It's helpful for setting minimum acceptable offers and timing decisions.

What closing costs am I forgetting?

Common forgotten costs: transfer taxes, HOA fees, utility deposits, home warranty, and prorated property taxes. Ask your agent for a detailed estimate.

When should I sell vs. rent out my home?

Compare net sale proceeds to potential rental income. If rental income covers expenses and provides positive cashflow, renting might be better than selling in a down market.