What It Costs To Sell a House in Lubbock

Thinking about listing your Lubbock home this spring and wondering what it will actually cost? You’re not alone. Getting clear on fees, prep, and the final net you’ll take to your next home can reduce stress and help you time your move. In this guide, you’ll learn the common seller cost buckets in Lubbock, how Texas title insurance customs work, and a simple way to estimate your net proceeds. Let’s dive in.

Lubbock seller costs at a glance

Selling costs vary by price and terms, but most Lubbock sellers encounter these categories:

• Real estate commission
• Title insurance and closing fees
• Prorated property taxes and HOA dues
• Mortgage payoff and lien releases
• Repairs, cleaning, and staging
• Buyer concessions or credits
• HOA transfer and resale certificate fees
• County recording and other local fees

Each line can be negotiated in different ways. Your exact mix depends on the contract and your buyer’s needs.

Real estate commission

Commission is the largest single cost in most sales. The industry norm in U.S. markets has historically been about 5% to 6% of the sale price, usually split between the listing and buyer brokers. Local customs and individual agreements can vary, and commission is negotiable.

If you’re planning for spring, use a conservative percentage in your estimate so you don’t under-budget. Your listing agreement will spell out the exact rate and how it is shared.

Title insurance and closing fees in Texas

In many Texas transactions, the seller commonly pays for the owner’s title insurance policy for the buyer. This is a custom, not a rule, and it is negotiable. Title insurance premiums in Texas are regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance and follow a set schedule tied to the sale price.

Beyond the owner’s policy, you will see typical title and closing line items like escrow or closing fees, title search, document prep, and wire or courier charges. These often add up to a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars. Ask a Lubbock title company for an itemized quote based on your expected sale price.

Property tax proration in Lubbock County

Property taxes are prorated at closing. You are responsible for your share of the year’s taxes up to the day of closing, and the buyer covers the rest after closing. Proration uses the current year’s assessed levy from the Lubbock County Appraisal District.

If you close close to a tax due date, you may need to reimburse the buyer for your portion that covers your time of ownership. Confirm your homestead exemption status and any special exemptions since those affect the calculation.

Mortgage payoff and lien releases

Your mortgage payoff is the current balance owed as of the payoff date, plus any permitted fees. Request a payoff letter from your lender with a date window that covers your expected closing. If you have a second lien, home equity line, or other recorded liens, the title company will need payoff information for each one.

Early payment penalties are rare in typical Texas residential mortgages, but your payoff letter will list any fees that apply.

Repairs, cleaning, and staging

Prelisting prep improves market appeal, but you control how much you spend. Typical ranges include:

• Staging: about $500 to $4,000 depending on scope
• Professional photography: about $150 to $500
• Prelisting inspection (optional): about $300 to $600
• Minor repairs and deep cleaning: a few hundred to a few thousand

Major items like roof or HVAC are handled case by case and often negotiated as credits or post-inspection remedies. In a competitive spring market, targeted prep can support a stronger price and fewer buyer objections.

Buyer concessions and credits

Sometimes buyers request help with closing costs, a rate buydown, or repair credits. If negotiated, seller concessions often range from about 0.5% to 3% of the sale price. The strength of local demand and the condition of your home influence whether concessions are needed.

HOA transfer and resale certificates

If your neighborhood has an HOA, expect administrative items like a resale certificate, transfer fee, or disclosure package. HOAs set their own fees, and the party responsible can be dictated by HOA documents or negotiated in the contract. Review your HOA rules early so you’re not surprised at closing.

Recording and local government fees

County recording and deed filing fees are set locally and can change. Your title company will include these on your closing estimate. Texas does not have a state real estate transfer tax, so you will not see a separate state transfer tax line that sellers pay in some other states.

Typical ranges and how to plan

Since many costs scale with price, it helps to think in percentages and ranges:

• Commission: about 5% to 6% of sale price
• Owner’s title policy: regulated schedule tied to sale price
• Other title/closing fees: often a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 combined
• Prorated taxes: based on the current levy and your days of ownership
• Mortgage payoff: your lender’s payoff quote as of closing
• Prep and staging: from a few hundred to several thousand depending on scope
• Concessions: often 0.5% to 3% if negotiated
• HOA transfer/resale: varies by association

Ask your title company for a sample closing statement using your expected price. This puts real numbers to the local line items, including recording fees.

How to estimate your net proceeds

Use this simple approach to build a draft net sheet before you list:

1. Start with your expected sale price. Use a Comparative Market Analysis from your agent for a realistic figure.
2. Subtract commission. Multiply the sale price by your agreed commission rate.
3. Subtract estimated title and closing costs. Include the owner’s title policy if you plan to pay it.
4. Subtract prorated property taxes. Use the current tax year levy multiplied by your portion of the year.
5. Subtract your mortgage payoff. Request a payoff letter with a payoff date window.
6. Subtract any seller concessions and repair credits you plan to offer.
7. Subtract your prep and marketing expenses. Include staging, photography, inspection, and final utility bills.
8. Subtract HOA transfer or resale fees and any other required local fees.
9. The result is your estimated net proceeds before taxes.

A quick formula you can keep on your phone:

Net proceeds ≈ Sale price − (Commission + Title and closing + Mortgage payoff + Prorations + Repairs and concessions + HOA and recording + Misc.)

Tip: ask your agent and the title company for preliminary estimates using actual local fee schedules. Then update your numbers as your list price and closing date firm up.

Spring timing and Lubbock context

Lubbock is generally more affordable than many Texas metros, which means absolute dollar costs for things like commission and title premiums may be lower than in higher priced markets. Spring often brings more buyers, and that seasonality can influence whether you invest more in prep or negotiate concessions. Strong, clean presentation in week one can help you capture momentum and reduce back-and-forth later.

If you’re also buying a replacement home, planning your financing path now can help you limit overlap costs and line up your move with less stress.

How Realty Connected helps sellers in Lubbock

You deserve clear numbers and a smooth plan for your next move. Realty Connected combines local listing expertise with in-house mortgage know-how, so you can prepare your home, price it right, and coordinate your financing for the next purchase.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A data-backed CMA and pricing strategy tailored to Tech Terrace, Lakeridge, Quaker Heights, and nearby areas
• A preliminary net sheet and a title quote using current Lubbock fee schedules
• Guidance on which prep items will move the needle in spring and which credits may be smarter to offer
• Coordination between your sale timeline and your next loan, including FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo, or non-QM options

When you’re ready, reach out for a clear path forward. Get your free home valuation and financing review with Freddie Marmolejo.

FAQs

Who pays the owner’s title policy in Lubbock, Texas?

• In many Texas deals the seller commonly pays for the owner’s title policy, but it is negotiable and confirmed in your contract.

What is the typical real estate commission in Lubbock?

• The industry norm in U.S. markets has historically been about 5% to 6% of the sale price, though local agreements and negotiations vary.

How are Lubbock County property taxes handled at closing?

• Taxes are prorated to the closing date, with you paying your share up to closing and the buyer responsible after, based on the current year’s levy.

What closing fees besides title insurance should I expect in Texas?

• You may see escrow or closing fees, title search, document prep, and wire or courier charges that often total a few hundred dollars to over $1,000.

How do I estimate my mortgage payoff for closing?

• Request a payoff letter from your lender with a date window that covers your expected closing, and use that figure in your net estimate.

What do seller concessions usually cover in Lubbock?

• Concessions often help buyers with closing costs, a rate buydown, or repair credits and can range from about 0.5% to 3% of the sale price if negotiated.

Are there HOA-related fees when selling in Lubbock?

• Many HOAs charge a transfer fee or resale certificate fee, and responsibility can be set by HOA documents or negotiated in the contract.

Does Texas charge a state transfer tax on home sales?

• No, Texas does not have a state real estate transfer tax, so you will not see a state transfer tax line at closing.