How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Home in Maryland? (PG County & Montgomery County Breakdown)
Most Maryland homeowners are surprised when they see their final settlement sheet. Not because they were deceived — but because nobody sat them down beforehand and explained exactly where the money goes. That's what this post does.
Maryland sellers typically pay between 3.5% and 4% of the sale price in closing costs alone, before factoring in agent commissions. On a $490,000 home in Hyattsville, that's roughly $17,000 to $20,000 coming off the top before you've paid a single agent. Add commissions, and total selling costs in Maryland run between 8% and 10% of the sale price for most transactions.
The good news: none of this is a surprise if you plan for it. Here is a complete, honest breakdown of every cost you will encounter selling a home in Prince George's County or Montgomery County in 2026.
The Big Picture: What Maryland Sellers Actually Pay
Before getting into the line-item detail, here is the total cost picture broken down by category:
Closing Costs (taxes, title, fees): 3.5% to 4% of sale price
Agent Commissions: approximately 5% to 5.5% of sale price
Pre-Sale Prep (repairs, staging, photography): $1,500 to $8,000+ depending on condition
Total All-In Selling Costs: typically 8.5% to 10% of sale price
On a $490,000 sale in Hyattsville or Riverdale Park, that's roughly $42,000 to $49,000 in total costs. On a $650,000 home in Bethesda or Silver Spring, expect $55,000 to $65,000. These are real numbers, and knowing them before you list is the difference between a confident seller and a shocked one at the closing table.
Maryland's Transfer and Recordation Taxes: The Biggest Variable
This is where Maryland gets meaningfully more expensive than most states — and where PG County and Montgomery County differ most from each other.
Under Maryland law, transfer and recordation taxes are presumed to be split 50/50 between buyer and seller unless the contract states otherwise. In practice, the seller's share of these taxes is almost always the largest closing cost after commissions. Here is how each county breaks down:
Prince George's County
PG County sellers pay a combined transfer tax of 1.9% of the sale price — split between a 1.4% county transfer tax and the statewide 0.5% state transfer tax. The county recordation tax is $5.00 per thousand dollars of consideration. UrbanTurf
Since these taxes are typically split 50/50, the seller's share of transfer tax on a $490,000 PG County sale works out to roughly $4,655. The seller's share of recordation tax on the same sale adds approximately $1,225. Combined seller tax burden before other fees: approximately $5,900.
One important PG County distinction: Prince George's County is unique in Maryland — the county transfer tax also applies to mortgages and deeds of trust, not just deeds. This affects the buyer's closing costs and can come up in negotiation, so it's worth knowing.
If your buyer is a first-time Maryland homebuyer, the state transfer tax rate drops to 0.25% for them — but that reduced rate must be paid by the seller, not the buyer. This is one of the details that catches sellers off guard. Your net sheet should account for it if your buyer qualifies.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County is the more expensive of the two for transfer and recordation taxes. The combined transfer tax in Montgomery County is 1.5% — a 1.0% county transfer tax plus the 0.5% state transfer tax. The recordation tax is $6.90 per thousand up to $500,000, and $10.00 per thousand on amounts above $500,000. UrbanTurf
On a $650,000 Montgomery County sale, the seller's share of transfer taxes is approximately $4,875. But the recordation tax is where Montgomery County stands out: with the tiered rate kicking in above $500,000, the recordation tax on a $650,000 sale is approximately $5,950 before the 50/50 split — meaning the seller's share alone is roughly $2,975.
Montgomery County offers an $890 recordation tax credit for owner-occupied principal residences. If you've lived in the home as your primary residence, make sure your title company applies this credit — it's automatic for those who qualify, but worth confirming.
*After principal residence credit where applicable. Montgomery County's tiered recordation tax increases this figure meaningfully above $500,000.
The Other Closing Costs: What Every Maryland Seller Pays
Beyond the transfer and recordation taxes, here are the remaining seller closing costs to budget for:
Title and Settlement Fees: $700 to $1,200 Your title company or settlement attorney charges a fee to conduct the closing, prepare documents, and disburse funds. Title service fees average approximately $1,345 in Maryland. iBuyer You can shop title companies — this is one of the few line items where price comparison makes sense.
Recording Fees: approximately $2,000 Maryland sellers pay an average of $2,066 in recording fees iBuyer to officially document the change of ownership in the county land records.
Prorated Property Taxes You pay property taxes for the portion of the year you owned the home. PG County's property tax rate is $1.092 per $100 of assessed value; Montgomery County's is $0.883 per $100. UrbanTurf Your settlement sheet will calculate the exact proration based on your closing date. Sellers who close early in the tax year may owe several months of taxes at settlement.
Payoff of Existing Mortgage Not a closing cost per se, but the single largest deduction from your proceeds. Contact your lender before listing to get your current payoff amount — this is the number that determines your actual net.
Agent Commissions: The Largest Single Cost
The average total real estate commission in Maryland runs approximately 5.41% of the sale price — roughly 2.77% for the listing agent and 2.64% typically offered to the buyer's agent. iBuyer Commission rates are always negotiable and have been subject to increasing flexibility following recent industry changes. Ask your agent directly how they structure their fees and what that includes.
On a $490,000 sale, a 5% commission is $24,500. On a $650,000 Montgomery County sale, the same rate is $32,500. Commissions are the largest variable in your total selling cost — and the most negotiable.
Pre-Sale Costs: The Investment Most Sellers Underestimate
In the current market, presentation drives outcome. Homes that show well command stronger offers and shorter time on market. Budget for:
Professional photography: $300 to $600 — non-negotiable in today's market
Cleaning and decluttering: $200 to $800
Paint and cosmetic updates: $1,500 to $5,000 depending on condition
Minor repairs and staging: $500 to $3,000
A good listing agent will walk through your home before listing and tell you specifically what is worth spending money on and what is not. Not every home needs a full renovation — but every home benefits from a clean, well-lit presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will I actually walk away with after selling?
Take your expected sale price, subtract your mortgage payoff, subtract total closing costs (3.5% to 4%), subtract commissions (approximately 5%), and subtract any pre-sale investments. What remains is your net proceeds. I provide every client with a detailed Seller Net Sheet before we list — so you know your number before you commit to anything.
Can I negotiate who pays the transfer taxes in Maryland?
Yes. The 50/50 split is a legal default under Maryland law, not a fixed requirement — the purchase contract can assign these costs differently. Thejamilbrothers In competitive markets, buyers sometimes offer to cover a larger share to strengthen their offer. In slower conditions, sellers occasionally cover more to attract buyers. It is always negotiable.
Is it more expensive to sell in Montgomery County than PG County?
For higher-priced homes, yes — primarily because of Montgomery County's tiered recordation tax structure, which increases above $500,000. For homes priced under $500,000, the difference is relatively modest. Both counties are more expensive to transact in than most states, and both require careful budgeting before listing.
Do I need an attorney to sell a home in Maryland?
An attorney is not legally required to sell a house in Maryland. Quickhomebuyers A title company can handle the settlement. That said, for complex transactions — estates, divorce sales, or situations with title issues — having a real estate attorney review documents is money well spent.
Want to Know Exactly What You'll Net?
Every seller I work with gets a detailed Seller Net Sheet before we list — a line-by-line estimate of every cost, what you'll pay, and what you'll walk away with based on your specific home, your county, and current market conditions. No guesswork, no surprises at the closing table.
I serve sellers in Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and DC. If you're thinking about selling in 2026, I'm happy to run your numbers for free with zero obligation.
Ryan Hehman | Ryan.Hehman@Compass.Com | 443-990-1230 Local expertise. Honest advice.