How much money will I actually walk away with after selling my home?

Sellers ask me this question more than any other: if my home sells for a certain number, how much lands in my bank account? The honest answer is that the sale price and the net proceeds are two different numbers, and the gap between them is where planning happens.

What comes out of the sale price

A few categories sit between the contract price and your proceeds. The mortgage payoff, including any prepayment considerations, is first. Then the seller's side of closing costs, which typically includes the title work, transfer recording, and the agent commission spelled out in the listing agreement. Prorated property taxes and any agreed credits to the buyer, such as a repair credit or a closing cost contribution, come next.

Why most sellers do not know this number

Because nobody walks them through it. Many sellers receive a closing statement for the first time at the closing table. That is late. I build a personalized net proceeds estimate before a home is even listed, and I update it as offers and negotiations move the numbers, so my sellers see every decision reflected in their real number.

What moves the net number in your favor

• Pricing right the first time, so you are not negotiating down from a stale listing
• Negotiating credits and repair terms instead of accepting the first request
• Choosing the offers whose financing is most likely to appraise and close on time
• Understanding how your payoff and payoff timing affect the final number

A short sale, a loan with a prepayment penalty, or a second mortgage changes the picture completely. That is why I review the actual payoff figures with you rather than assuming.

Can you sell, pay the mortgage, and still move forward?

For many sellers the equity generated by the sale is the down payment for the next chapter, whether that is a larger home, new construction, a move to another city, or a smaller footprint in retirement. Knowing your net early tells you what chapter is realistic before you fall in love with a listing.