Average Cost of Selling a Home Rises to $81,918 in 2026
A new report from Clever Real Estate reveals that the average cost to sell a home has risen to $81,918 in 2026, representing a 22% increase from the previous year. This figure significantly exceeds the $26,883 sellers initially expected, leading nearly one-quarter of all sellers to go into debt to cover transaction expenses. The primary drivers of these rising costs include home repairs, which averaged $27,649 (up 32% year-over-year), and closing costs, which jumped 36%. The data suggests that unrepresented sellers often face higher burdens in concessions and marketing, frequently negating the savings gained from avoiding agent commissions. Consequently, a majority of recent sellers expressed regret regarding their financial planning or choice of representation.