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The Seller's Guide to Closing Costs in Tennessee

In Tennessee, closing costs can vary significantly for each transaction. Sellers need to know how much they’ll have to pay before they can list their homes. 

The seller and buyer share the responsibility for the total costs associated with the sale, though this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be a 50-50 split. In Tennessee, the sellers typically pay for services such as title transfer taxes, recording fees, and owner’s title insurance. 

It’s an exciting time to sell your home, especially when you’re about to move on to a new life. However, even though you’re selling, you still need to get every cent of the final sale price in your bank account. Even though you’re selling, you’ll still have to pay various closing costs. Many homeowners are surprised by how much these fees can go.

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Closing Cost Explained

The closing costs are the expenses the seller and buyer pay to complete the real estate transaction. These can include taxes, title searches, and insurance. Even if you’re selling your home to a relative or close friend whose below market value, you might still have to pay some closing costs. 

According to federal law, the buyer and seller must get informed about the closing costs. The mortgage lender does it, and the two parties must agree on which expenses to cover. Most of the closing costs will get taken from the sales proceeds. However, there are a few expenses that you’ll have to cover out of pocket.

What Is The Seller Closing Costs?

As a seller, you’ll typically pay around 1% of the sale price in closing costs in Tennessee. The buyer, on the other hand, will typically cover the additional costs, which could range from 0.26% to 0.9%. We are Nashville Home Buyers and we buy houses for cash in Nashville, if you want to avoid closing cost give us a call, we can help.

Closing Fees and Title Services

Before officially transferring your property ownership to the buyer, you have to perform a title search. A settlement agent usually carries out this step to ensure that there are no encumbrances or liens on the property. 

The fee that you’ll pay for this service is typically around 0.43% of the purchase price. It will cover the costs associated with the title search and the transfer of your property. Both the buyer and seller in Tennessee typically pay for the services of a closing agent.

Property Tax

In Tennessee, property taxes can get collected at the end of the year for the current year. If this happens in your area, you’ll be able to pay these taxes at the close of the sale. It eliminates the need for the buyer to pay taxes for the entire year if they have only owned the property for a few months. If you live in an area where property taxes are due at the start of the year, then the buyer will reimburse you for the remaining months. 

Recording Fees

In addition, your local or state government may charge you a fee for recording the changes in the property’s a mortgage and deed information. It usually comes at around $50, though you can negotiate with the buyer to settle the bill.

Owner's Title Insurance

A title insurance policy is also an excellent way to protect the buyer if something goes wrong with the paperwork regarding the previous ownership. This type of insurance could cover the costs associated with legal fees and the property’s value if a mistake gets made. 

Although the average cost of a title insurance policy in Tennessee is around 0.19%, the exact rate you’ll pay varies depending on the company that provides this type of insurance. In the state, these companies typically have a set of prices designed to determine how much you’ll pay for a policy based on the value of your property. 

Recordation Tax

In Tennessee, you’ll be charged a transfer tax of 0.37% of the sale price to cover the costs associated with transferring the title of your property to the new owner. However, your local government or city may impose transfer taxes on you.

Preparing The Home For Sale

Before you put your house on the market, make sure that you have all of the necessary repairs and maintenance are done to make it look its best. Some essential factors you’ll want to focus on include cleaning and painting the walls and carpets. 

Depending on the condition of your home, these costs can vary significantly. If you think they’ll cost you more than 3% of the asking price, you should consider selling the property as-is. Doing so will allow you to avoid doing any repairs and cleaning. 

Moving Cost

If you’re planning on selling your current home, you also need to consider the expenses associated with relocating. If you’re not planning on hiring a moving company, you’ll still have to spend a lot of money on various tasks, such as packing supplies, moving boxes, and a storage unit.

Real Estate Agent Commission Fees

The commission you’ll pay to your real estate agent is the highest amount you’ll be required to pay when selling your home. This fee is typically between 5% and 6% of the selling price in Tennessee. However, it can be negotiated. You might also have to pay for this service if you’re planning on hiring a buyer’s agent. 

The high commission you’ll be required to pay for your real estate agent can be worth it if the transaction is successful. If you’re not planning on hiring a real estate agent, consider making an informal sale by the owner or hiring a broker.

Buyer Incentives

Since selling your home will involve a lot of negotiation, you must have a contingency budget. For instance, if you’re selling a home, you might be asked to pay certain closing costs. With a mortgage, this can be up to a certain amount. After you’ve signed the purchase agreement, the buyer will most likely perform a home inspection. They can ask you to fix any issues or deduct the difference from the final sale price if they find any problems. 

If you’re planning on selling quickly, consider offering a home warranty. It will give potential buyers peace of mind because they’ll be covered for the mechanical and electrical components of the property for the first year. Contrary to popular belief, homeowners’ insurance does not cover these expenses.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Sims

Jonathan Sims is a cash home buyer and the founder of Olive Tree Homes. With a passion for helping homeowners in need, he has helped countless individuals and families sell their homes quickly and hassle-free. As an expert in the real estate industry, Jonathan has a deep understanding of the local market and uses his knowledge to make fair and honest offers on homes. He believes in providing excellent customer service and making the home selling process as easy as possible for his clients. Jonathan is committed to helping people achieve their real estate goals and has a proven track record of success in the industry.