How to Estimate Your Net Proceeds Before You List

Before you list, it helps to know roughly what you'll actually walk away with, not just the sale price you're hoping for. Here's how to get a real estimate in four steps.

Step 1: start with a realistic sale price

Use a recent comparable sale or your agent's estimate, not your wish-list number. The rest of this math only works if the starting price is realistic.

Step 2: subtract commission

Figure your listing agent's rate and whatever you're planning to offer a buyer's agent separately (these are negotiated independently since the 2024 NAR settlement, so they don't have to match). At a typical 2.9% listing rate and 2.8% buyer rate on a $350,000 sale:

$350,000 x 2.9% = $10,150 (listing agent) $350,000 x 2.8% = $9,800 (buyer's agent)

Step 3: subtract closing costs and your mortgage payoff

Seller-side closing costs (title, escrow, transfer taxes) typically run 1% to 3% of the sale price. At 2% on this example, that's $7,000. Then subtract whatever you still owe on your mortgage, say $180,000.

Step 4: add it up

Item	Amount
Sale price	$350,000
Commission	-$19,950
Closing costs (2%)	-$7,000
Mortgage payoff	-$180,000
Net proceeds	$143,050

That $143,050 is a much more useful number to plan around than the $350,000 sale price, especially if you're using the proceeds toward a down payment on your next place.

Do this with your real numbers

This example uses round numbers to keep the math easy to follow. Your actual rate, closing costs, and mortgage balance will be different. The net proceeds calculator runs this exact calculation with your real inputs, including any seller concessions you're offering the buyer, so you get your actual number instead of an example.