Cost to Sell a House in Miami: Seller Closing Costs in 2026
- By Miguel E. Hernandez
- Oct 14, 2026
The cost to sell a house in Miami runs between 3.4% and 6.4% of the price. Learn how commissions, documentary stamps, taxes and FIRPTA add up with a real 2026 example.
Summary: the cost to sell a house in Miami in 2026
The cost to sell a house in Miami typically runs between 3.4% and 6.4% of the sale price, not counting your mortgage payoff or prorated taxes. The difference depends mainly on whether the seller also pays the buyer's agent commission. The largest expense is the real estate commission, followed by the documentary stamp tax.
- Listing agent commission: about 2.7% in Miami. It is negotiable.
- Buyer's agent commission (if the seller agrees to pay it): about 2.8%.
- Documentary stamp tax: $0.60 per $100 of the price for houses and condos in Miami-Dade, or 0.6%.
- Title and lien searches: $250 to $500.
- Estoppel letter (HOA or condo): up to $299, plus extra fees if rushed or if there is a past-due balance.
- Capital gains tax: may not apply if the house was your primary residence, thanks to the IRS exclusion of up to $250,000 per person.
- Foreign sellers: the buyer withholds 15% of the price under FIRPTA, with some exceptions.
Figures updated as of October 2026. Below you'll find the full breakdown, a worked example with real numbers, and what changes if you sell a condo or live outside the United States.
Breakdown of seller closing costs in Miami
| Expense | Approximate cost (2026) | Who usually pays? |
|---|---|---|
| Listing agent commission | ~2.7% of the price | Seller |
| Buyer's agent commission | ~2.8% of the price | Negotiable: buyer or seller |
| Documentary stamp tax (deed) | 0.6% for houses and condos; 1.05% for other property types | Seller |
| Title search and municipal lien search | $250 – $500 | Seller |
| Estoppel letter (HOA or condo) | Up to $299 (+$119 rush, +$179 if delinquent) | Usually the seller |
| Owner's title insurance | State-regulated rate | In Miami-Dade, customarily the buyer |
| Attorney (optional) | $500 – $1,500 | Seller |
| Prorated property taxes | Depends on closing date | Seller (for the days of the year they owned it) |
| Mortgage payoff | Depends on the remaining balance | Seller |
| Negotiated concessions or repairs | Variable | Seller, if agreed |
1. Realtor commission in Miami
Since August 2024, following the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement, commissions are negotiated separately. The seller signs an agreement with their agent, the buyer signs one with theirs, and the seller may or may not offer to pay the buyer's agent. According to an August 2026 Clever Real Estate survey, the Miami average is 2.68% for the listing agent and 2.77% for the buyer's agent, or 5.45% in total. The sample is small and commissions are negotiable, so treat it as a benchmark.
2. Documentary stamp tax: the main tax on selling a house in Florida
This is the main tax due when selling a house in Florida, and it is charged on the deed. In most of the state it is $0.70 per $100 of the price. In Miami-Dade it is $0.60 per $100 for single-family homes and condos. Other property types, such as duplexes, commercial units or land, carry an additional $0.45 surtax, for a total of $1.05 per $100. By custom and under the standard Florida contract, the seller pays it.
3. Title searches, lien searches and the estoppel letter
Before closing, the title company confirms the property has no debts, municipal fines or open permits. In Miami-Dade, the seller usually covers these searches, which cost $250 to $500. If the property belongs to a condo association or HOA, the association issues an estoppel letter confirming dues are paid up. Florida law caps its cost at $299, plus $119 for rush delivery and $179 if the account is delinquent. The next inflation adjustment is scheduled for July 2027.
4. Prorated property taxes
In Florida, property taxes are paid at the end of the year for the year that is ending. At closing, the seller credits the buyer for the share of the year they owned the home. It isn't an extra cost, since it is your share of the annual tax, but it reduces the cash you receive at closing.
5. Concessions and repairs
In a buyer's market like the current one, negotiation is common. According to Avanti Way's MyAvex data for the City of Miami, 17.7% of sales over the last 12 months included seller contributions, averaging about $12,000, and the average discount off list price was 6%. See the full context in our Miami real estate market report for October 2026.
Example: the cost to sell a $700,000 home in Miami
This example uses a $700,000 condo, in line with the typical sale price in the City of Miami.
| Expense | Scenario A: seller pays both commissions | Scenario B: seller pays only their agent |
|---|---|---|
| Listing agent commission (2.68%) | $18,760 | $18,760 |
| Buyer's agent commission (2.77%) | $19,390 | $0 |
| Documentary stamp tax (0.6%) | $4,200 | $4,200 |
| Title and lien searches | $250 – $500 | $250 – $500 |
| Estoppel letter | $299 – $597 | $299 – $597 |
| Attorney (optional) | $0 – $1,500 | $0 – $1,500 |
| Approximate total | $42,899 – $44,947 (6.1% – 6.4%) | $23,509 – $25,557 (3.4% – 3.7%) |
Does not include mortgage payoff, prorated taxes, concessions or capital gains taxes. Reference figures only: confirm final amounts with your agent and title company.
Taxes on selling a house in Miami: capital gains
Florida has no state income tax, so the gain on a home sale is only subject to federal tax with the IRS. If the house was your primary residence, you can exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 if you file jointly with your spouse. To qualify, you must have owned the home and lived in it for at least 2 of the 5 years before the sale.
For an investment property or second home, the gain is taxable. One way to defer it is to reinvest in another investment property through a 1031 exchange. Always consult an accountant or CPA about your situation.
FIRPTA: what happens if the seller is a foreigner
If you sell a property in Miami and you are not a US tax resident, FIRPTA applies. The buyer must withhold 15% of the sale price and send it to the IRS as an advance on your taxes. There are two exceptions when the buyer will use the property as a residence:
- Price up to $300,000: no withholding.
- Price from $300,001 to $1,000,000: withholding drops to 10%.
Withholding isn't always your final tax. If your actual tax is lower, you can ask the IRS for a certificate to reduce the withholding (Form 8288-B) or recover the difference when you file your return. Planning for it before listing keeps your money from being held for months.
Selling a condo: documents to prepare
Following Florida's condo law reforms, a resale condo buyer is entitled to receive the association's documents. These include the milestone inspection summary (for buildings three stories or taller) and the structural integrity reserve study (SIRS). Once they receive them, buyers have 7 business days to review the documents and cancel. Gathering these documents before listing speeds up the sale and avoids surprises. See what buyers will review in our guide to buying a condo in Miami.
How to lower the cost of selling your house
- Negotiate the commission and decide up front whether you'll offer to pay the buyer's agent.
- Price it right from day one. Overpriced homes rack up days on market and end up with bigger discounts and concessions. Check current prices in our October 2026 Miami market report.
- Prepare the property with minor repairs and professional photography, so you don't have to negotiate credits after the inspection.
- Get quotes from title companies and compare.
- If you're a foreign seller, handle FIRPTA before listing with an accountant.
If you're thinking about selling, visit our sell your property in Miami page and we'll prepare an estimate of your costs and your net proceeds at closing. If you'd rather keep the property, you can also rent it out with our property management service.
Frequently asked questions about the cost to sell a house in Miami
How much does it cost to sell a house in Miami?
Between 3.4% and 6.4% of the sale price in most cases, depending on whether the seller pays one or both commissions. On a $700,000 home, that's about $23,500 to $45,000, not counting the mortgage payoff or prorated taxes.
What taxes do I pay when selling a house in Miami?
At closing you pay the documentary stamp tax: 0.6% of the price for houses and condos in Miami-Dade. Afterward, the gain may be subject to federal tax unless you qualify for the $250,000 exclusion ($500,000 for married couples) on a primary residence. Florida has no state income tax.
Who pays closing costs when selling a house in Florida?
In Florida, the seller pays the documentary stamp tax on the deed and their prorated share of property taxes. The buyer pays the taxes on their mortgage and, in Miami-Dade, usually the owner's title insurance. Everything is negotiable in the contract.
How much does a realtor charge in Miami?
On average, about 2.7% for the listing agent and 2.8% for the buyer's agent, according to an August 2026 survey. Since 2024, each party negotiates the commission with their own agent.
How much does FIRPTA withhold if I sell as a foreigner?
15% of the sale price as a general rule. There is no withholding if the price is $300,000 or less and the buyer will live in the property, and it is 10% if the price is between $300,000 and $1,000,000 under the same condition.
Sources
- IRS, Topic 701: Sale of your home (gain exclusion).
- IRS, FIRPTA withholding on dispositions of US real property.
- Florida Department of Revenue, documentary stamp tax.
- Clever Real Estate, Miami commission survey, August 2026.
- Avanti Way Realty, MyAvex data for the City of Miami, October 2026.
Information updated as of October 2026, for general purposes only. It is not legal or tax advice; consult an attorney or accountant about your situation.
Article prepared by Miguel E. Hernandez, a Miami real estate agent since 2012 and affiliated with Avanti Way Realty since 2013. Want to know how much you'd net from your property? Contact Miguel.