A clear, no-surprises breakdown of what selling actually costs.
Another one sold in Northwest Indiana!
The Short Answer
Most Northwest Indiana sellers pay somewhere between 7% and 10% of their sale price in total selling costs. On a $300,000 home, that’s roughly $21,000–$30,000 — and that includes everything, not just commission.
1. Real Estate Commission
Indiana’s average total commission runs about 5.5% of the sale price, typically split close to evenly between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. Since the industry-wide changes in 2024, buyer’s agent pay is now negotiated directly rather than automatically built into every listing — I’ll walk you through exactly how that works for your sale.
2. Closing Costs
Budget another 1–3% for:
- Title insurance and title search fees
- Escrow/closing fees
- Recording and miscellaneous county fees
One Indiana quirk that surprises a lot of sellers: property taxes here are paid in arrears — for the prior year. That means at closing, you’ll give the buyer a per diem credit for the days you lived in the home during the period that hasn’t been billed yet. It’s not an extra cost so much as timing — I’ll show you exactly what that number looks like for your closing date.
Also good news: unlike Illinois, Indiana charges no real estate transfer tax. If you’re relocating from Illinois, that alone can save you thousands.
3. How I Price It
Here’s something that surprises almost every seller I work with: I often recommend pricing at or slightly below market value — not because your home is worth less, but because it creates competition. Multiple buyers see a great price, multiple offers come in, and the final number gets bid up past where a higher list price would have landed you. It feels counterintuitive until you watch it work.
4. Inspection Repairs
Inspectors get paid to find things — that’s the job. But I look at that as protection for everyone, not a problem. If something’s wrong with the house, it’s far better to find it now and fix it than have a buyer come back after closing, upset (or worse, lawyering up) over something nobody knew about.
So I build a repair buffer into your estimate from day one. That way you know what to expect going in, and when the actual repair costs come in under that number — which they usually do — it’s a pleasant surprise instead of a gut punch.
5. Required Disclosures
Indiana requires sellers to complete a Seller’s Residential Real Estate Sales Disclosure Form, covering the roof, foundation, HVAC, water damage history, and known hazards. It’s one of the more detailed state disclosure forms — I’ll help you fill it out right so nothing comes back to bite you after closing.
What You Actually Walk Away With
When clients get nervous staring at their walk-away number, I always bring them back to their why. Why are you selling? What does life look like on the other side of this? Focus on the goal, not the number — the number takes care of itself.
For the full playbook, not just the costs, check out my Northwest Indiana Home Sellers Guide.
Curious how it’s gone for past clients? Read what sellers have said.
Call or text Holly anytime at 219-313-0692 for a free, no-pressure breakdown of what selling your home in Northwest Indiana would actually put in your pocket.
Closing day — always my favorite day.
