How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Connecticut?

August 10, 2026 · Connecticut real estate, straight answers

Most Connecticut sellers pay between 7% and 10% of their sale price in total costs. On a $400,000 home, that's $28,000 to $40,000. That number includes the agent commission, state and local conveyance taxes, attorney fees, and the small stuff that adds up at the closing table. Here's where it all goes.

Real estate commission

This is the biggest line item. In Connecticut, total commission usually runs 5% to 6% of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. On a $400,000 sale, that's $20,000 to $24,000. Commission is negotiable and has become more so since the 2024 industry settlement changed how buyer agent fees get offered and disclosed. Some agents will do less for a lower-effort listing. Full-service agents who handle photography, staging advice, marketing, and negotiation usually earn their percentage back in a higher sale price, but you should still ask what's included before you sign.

Connecticut's real estate conveyance tax

Connecticut charges a conveyance tax every time a property changes hands, and it's paid by the seller. It has two parts:

• State tax: 0.75% on the first $800,000 of the sale price, 1.25% on the portion between $800,000 and $2.5 million, and 2.25% above that.
• Municipal tax: 0.25% in most towns, though a handful of cities are authorized to charge up to 0.5%.

On a $400,000 home in a typical town, that's $3,000 in state tax and $1,000 in municipal tax, or $4,000 total. If you're selling in a higher-rate municipality, check with your town clerk or your closing attorney before you list, since it changes your bottom line.

Attorney fees

Connecticut is one of the states where an attorney has to handle the closing, on both sides of the deal. This isn't optional and it isn't a junk fee, it's how real estate transfers work here. Expect to pay your attorney $800 to $1,500 depending on the complexity of the deal and whether there are title issues to clear up.

Payoff, prorations, and small closing costs

If you have a mortgage, the payoff amount comes out of your proceeds at closing, along with any prepayment penalty your loan might carry (rare, but worth checking). You'll also prorate property taxes with the buyer based on your town's fiscal year, and cover recording fees, a payoff processing fee from your lender, and sometimes a small owner's title insurance cost if your original policy needs updating. Budget $300 to $600 for these odds and ends.

Getting the house ready to sell

This part is optional but it affects your sale price more than any other line item. A pre-listing inspection ($400 to $600) can catch problems before a buyer's inspector does. Basic prep, fresh paint, deep cleaning, minor repairs, decluttering, typically runs $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the home's condition. Staging, if you do it, adds another $1,500 to $3,000 for a few months. None of this is required, but a home that shows well tends to sell faster and for closer to asking price, which usually more than covers the cost.

Moving and overlap costs

Don't forget the cost of actually moving. Local moves in Connecticut run $800 to $2,500 depending on how much you own and whether you hire full-service movers. If you're buying your next home before you sell, or renting a place in between, factor in a month or two of overlapping housing costs.

Putting it together

Here's a realistic tally for a $400,000 sale with a mortgage payoff of $200,000:

• Commission (5.5%): $22,000
• State and municipal conveyance tax: $4,000
• Attorney fees: $1,200
• Prorations and recording fees: $400
• Prep and cleaning: $2,000

That's roughly $29,600 in costs, leaving about $170,000 in proceeds after the mortgage payoff. Your own numbers will move up or down based on your loan balance, your town's conveyance rate, and how much prep work your house needs.

Ways to keep more of your proceeds

You can lower these costs, but there are tradeoffs. Skipping staging saves money but can mean a longer time on market. Negotiating commission can work, especially on higher-priced homes, but make sure you're not losing marketing or negotiating support you'll need. Doing your own minor repairs instead of hiring out saves cash if you actually have the time and skill to do them well.

Before you list, ask a local agent for a written net sheet based on your actual mortgage balance and your town's tax rates, not a rough estimate. At J Harvey Realty, we walk sellers through this number before they sign anything, so there are no surprises at the closing table.