How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in St. Petersburg, FL? Your 2026 Closing Cost Breakdown
How much does it cost to sell a house in Florida in 2026?
Selling a home in Florida typically costs 6–9% of the sale price when you include real estate commissions and closing costs. On a $700,000 home in St. Petersburg, you can expect to pay roughly $3,000–$7,000 in closing costs (excluding commission) and an additional $28,000–$38,500 in negotiated agent commissions — leaving most sellers with net proceeds of 91–94% of their sale price before mortgage payoff. The single largest seller cost in Florida is documentary stamp tax: $0.70 per $100 of the sale price, or $4,900 on a $700K sale.
"How much will I actually walk away with?" is the first question almost every seller asks me — and it's the right one. Knowing your net proceeds isn't just satisfying curiosity. It determines whether selling makes financial sense right now, whether you can afford your next purchase, and how to price your home strategically.
Here's the complete breakdown of what it costs to sell a house in St. Petersburg in 2026 — line by line, with real numbers.
The costs you'll pay at closing (seller's side)
In Florida, sellers pay a specific set of costs that differ from what buyers pay. Here's what to expect in Pinellas County.
Documentary stamp tax ("doc stamps")
This is Florida's transfer tax — $0.70 per $100 of the purchase price — and it's always paid by the seller. On a $700,000 sale, that's $4,900. Doc stamps are calculated on the total consideration, which includes any assumed mortgage.
Real estate commission
Post-NAR settlement, the old default of "seller pays both sides" is gone. What you pay now is negotiated. The listing agent's commission is the seller's direct cost. Buyer's agent compensation is now separately negotiated and may or may not be offered by the seller as a concession. Statewide, the total commission average in 2026 is running around 4.5–5.5% split across both sides. On a $700K sale, that's $31,500–$38,500.
Title search and exam
In most Florida transactions, the seller orders and pays for the title search — the process of examining the public record to confirm you have clear, marketable title to convey. Expect $300–$500.
Settlement/closing fee
The title company or closing attorney charges a settlement fee for handling the closing. In Pinellas County, the seller typically pays their portion, which runs $350–$600.
Recording fees
The deed needs to be recorded after closing. Recording fees in Pinellas County run $30–$75, paid by the seller.
Municipal lien search
Florida sellers are responsible for ensuring no open code violations, unpermitted work, or municipal liens are attached to the property. A lien search costs $150–$300.
HOA estoppel letter (if applicable)
If your property is in an HOA or condo association, the association is required to provide an estoppel certificate confirming your account status. Florida caps the fee at $299 for standard estoppel letters.
Property tax proration
Florida property taxes are paid in arrears. At closing, you'll credit the buyer for the portion of the current tax year you've occupied the property. On a St. Pete home with a $12,000 annual tax bill, closing in September means crediting roughly $9,000.
What sellers do NOT typically pay in Pinellas County
Owner's title insurance is customarily paid by the BUYER in Pinellas County — different from counties like Sarasota where the seller traditionally pays. In Pinellas, the buyer selects the title company and pays for the owner's policy. This is a meaningful savings — title insurance on a $700K home costs $3,200–$3,800 under Florida's promulgated rate schedule.
Real net proceeds calculation: $700K sale
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $700,000 |
| Real estate commission (5%) | −$35,000 |
| Doc stamps ($0.70/$100) | −$4,900 |
| Property tax proration (9 months at $12K/yr) | −$9,000 |
| Title search + settlement + recording | −$1,000 |
| Municipal lien search | −$200 |
| Mortgage payoff ($380K principal + est. interest) | −$381,500 |
| Estimated net proceeds | ~$268,400 |
Your actual number depends on your mortgage balance, your tax bill, your commission arrangement, and whether you're in an HOA. This is why I run a seller net sheet for every client before we set a listing price — so there are no surprises at the closing table.
What's changed in 2026: commission transparency
Since the NAR settlement took effect in 2024, the way commissions work has shifted. Sellers are no longer required to offer buyer agent compensation through the MLS. In practice, many St. Pete sellers still offer it — typically 2–2.5% — because it attracts more buyers and buyer's agents. But it's now a negotiated decision, not a default.
What this means for you: when you list, you'll have a direct conversation with me about commission structure. We'll decide together what buyer compensation, if any, makes sense for your property and the current market conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Florida, seller closing costs typically total 6–9% of the sale price when commissions are included, or 1–3% excluding commissions. On a $700,000 St. Petersburg home, that's roughly $42,000–$63,000 total, or $7,000–$21,000 without commission. The largest cost is real estate commission (negotiated), followed by documentary stamp tax ($0.70 per $100 of the sale price).
The seller pays documentary stamp tax in Florida. The rate is $0.70 per $100 of the purchase price. On a $700,000 sale, that's $4,900. Doc stamps are calculated on the total consideration, including any assumed mortgage balance.
No — in Pinellas County, the buyer customarily pays for owner's title insurance. This differs from counties like Sarasota where the seller traditionally pays. In Pinellas, the buyer selects the title company and bears that cost.
A seller net sheet is a simple worksheet that estimates your proceeds after subtracting closing costs, commissions, and your mortgage payoff from your expected sale price. I prepare one for every seller before we agree on a listing price — it's the clearest way to understand what selling actually means for your financial picture.
Yes — and this is now more explicit post-NAR settlement. Sellers negotiate listing agent commission directly in the listing agreement. Any offer of buyer agent compensation is now a separate decision and is no longer required through the MLS. Most sellers in St. Pete are still offering buyer agent compensation to maximize buyer pool, but the amount and structure are fully negotiable.
If you're thinking about selling in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, or anywhere on the Gulf Coast in 2026, I'll run your net sheet before you commit to anything.
Get Your Free Net Sheet