What Closing Costs Do Portland Home Sellers Really Pay?

TipsGuide

Sep 4

If you’ve ever sold a home before, you might remember being surprised at the costs that come with it. For first-time sellers, it can feel like a mystery: “Aren’t I just getting a check when this is all done?” Not quite. Let’s break down what you can expect as a seller in today’s Portland market — including how agent commissions are handled now and why concessions are becoming a bigger part of negotiations.

What “closing costs” mean for sellers

Closing costs aren’t just for buyers. As a seller, you’ll have a set of expenses tied to finalizing the sale. Common ones include:

Escrow and title fees – the professionals who make sure the transaction closes smoothly and legally.
Prorated property taxes – you’ll cover your share up until the closing date.
Recording fees and excise tax (if applicable) – state and county charges for transferring ownership.
Repairs or credits – if something comes up during inspection, you may be asked to fix it or offer a credit.

Commissions are no longer predetermined

One of the biggest changes in 2024 was how agent commissions are handled. Sellers used to automatically decide the buyer’s agent commission when listing their home. Now, commissions are part of the purchase offer itself. That means:

Buyers may ask the seller to cover their agent’s fee as part of negotiations.
Sellers can decide whether or not to agree, counter, or adjust their price strategy accordingly.
The actual commission amount is no longer baked into the listing upfront.

This shift makes it even more important to work with an agent who can guide you through offers strategically.

Seller concessions: the new hot topic

Beyond closing costs, you might also hear about concessions. These are extras a seller offers to help make the deal work, such as:

Covering part of the buyer’s loan closing costs.
Offering a credit for updates or repairs.
Paying for a rate buy-down so the buyer’s monthly payment is lower.

Concessions don’t always happen, but in a competitive market, they can be the thing that gets your deal across the finish line.

How much should you budget?

Every sale is different, but as a rule of thumb, sellers should plan for 7–9% of the sales price going toward closing costs, commissions, and concessions combined. The exact number depends on the agreement you reach with your buyer.

Our take after 10+ years in Portland real estate

We’ve seen it all: sellers surprised by prorated taxes, others caught off guard by inspection credits, and now many trying to wrap their heads around commission changes. The good news? None of this has to feel overwhelming when you’ve got the right guidance. We’ll walk you through the numbers upfront so there are no surprises at the closing table.