Selling your home is a major financial decision, and you deserve to know exactly where your hard-earned dollars are going. As part of the #1 Real Estate team in Georgetown, TX, we’re here to shed light on home-selling costs so you can plan smarter, avoid surprises, and keep more money in your pocket.
From repairs that make buyers swoon to how Realtors get compensated, we’ll walk you through every detail in this guide.
Table of Contents
Make-Ready Magic: Setting the Stage for Buyers
Agency Costs: What Are You Really Paying For?
Buyer’s Agent Compensation: What Sellers Should Know
Closing Costs & The Appraisal: The Final Chapter
Stay Informed with a Net Sheet
The Bottom Line: The Three Key Phases of Selling
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered
Make-Ready Magic: Setting the Stage for Buyers
First impressions are everything! Before you even think about listing, your home needs to capture the hearts of potential buyers. Here’s where to focus:
Repairs & Upgrades
Small fixes can make a big difference. Leaky faucets? Chipped paint? Bold purple walls from the ‘90s? It’s time to refresh. Simple updates like a fresh coat of neutral paint, replacing worn carpets, or sprucing up the landscaping with colorful flowers can work wonders for your home’s appeal—without breaking the bank.
Cleaning & Staging
Picture this: walking into a spotless, beautifully arranged home bathed in natural light. That’s the kind of magic we aim for with every listing. Whether it’s professional carpet cleaning or strategic staging to make rooms feel larger and more inviting, these investments pay off with higher offers.
Pro Tip: Renovations don’t have to drain your wallet. We’ll help you focus on upgrades that give you the best return on your investment.
Agency Costs: What Are You Really Paying For?
There’s a lot more to it than just about sticking a sign in the yard. Hiring a professional to sell your home is an investment, and you should know exactly what you’re getting for that investment—and how your Realtor is compensated for the value they bring to the table
Professional Fees
The professional fees, or compensation, is what you pay to your listing agent are based on market value and what you agree on with the agent for their services. This is always negotiable and can vary depending on your market and agreement with the agent. It’s a misconception that these fees are set in stone.
So, what’s included? Let’s break it down:
What Does a Realtor Bring to the Table?
Pricing Expertise
Setting the right price is an art and a science. We dive deep into market trends, neighborhood-specific data, and buyer preferences to hit that sweet spot where your home sells quickly and for top dollar.
Unlike algorithms like Zillow (which can be off by thousands), we analyze:
- Neighborhood trends—what’s hot and what’s not.
- Timing insights—when the market peaks in your area.
- Buyer preferences—what features today’s buyers value most.
Pricing your home isn’t about guesswork or pulling random comps—it’s about strategy. Overpricing scares buyers away, and underpricing leaves money on the table. Our expertise ensures your home is positioned competitively, so you’re never leaving money on the table.
Marketing That Works
Professional photos, floor plans, compelling descriptions, paid social media ads, and walkthrough videos are just the beginning. We bring your home to market by creating and executing a marketing strategy that includes listing your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), creating online listings, organizing open houses, and advertising through various channels.
But great marketing doesn’t stop there. A top-tier Realtor isn’t just aware of the market—they shape it by leveraging expertise, market relationships, and pricing strategies that drive results.
Strong relationships and a deep well of expertise can truly save the day in a transaction. Whether it’s breaking down an inspection report so everyone’s on the same page or working hand-in-hand with another agent to brainstorm solutions, we keep deals on track—often fixing hiccups behind the scenes before our clients even know there was a bump in the road.
Negotiation Power
Offers are exciting—but the real magic happens during negotiations. This is where our expertise saves you money and stress and where you really see our value. From inspections to appraisals, we fight to negotiate the best price and terms to save you money
We ran the data: Our team earns clients an average of 3.1% more than other agents. That’s real money in your pocket.
Stress-Free Paperwork
Contracts, disclosures, deadlines—oh my! People often ask how to get under contract, but the real question is, how do you stay under contract? When it comes to contract deadlines, legal items and disclosures, we rely on our proven systems, staff support, and attention to detail to ensure a smooth transaction from start to finish.
Buyer’s Agent Compensation: What You Need to Know
This has been a hot topic lately! Buyer’s agent compensation, also known as cooperating broker fees, is negotiable between the seller and the agent. Depending on your market strategy and competition, it may be advantageous to offer compensation—or not. Lean on the local agents in your area to better identify what’s happening in your local market on this topic. Generally speaking, you have these options:
Options include:
Offering a percentage upfront.
Including compensation through seller concessions.
Leaving it for the buyer to pay directly.
The right choice depends on your market, and we’ll guide you based on local trends to help you make the best decision.
Finding Suitable Properties: On and Off the Market
A great buyer’s agent isn’t just passively waiting for homes to pop up online—they’re actively hunting for the perfect match. While we set up tailored searches to monitor what’s hitting the market, we also tap into our extensive network, leveraging relationships and insider knowledge to uncover homes that aren’t listed publicly. In fact, we sell homes off-market all the time, ensuring our clients have access to exclusive opportunities.
But the job doesn’t stop there. During showings, we go beyond admiring the aesthetics of a property. We’re scanning for red flags like cracks that might signal foundation issues, water damage, or roof concerns—all while keeping the seller’s disclosures in mind. While we’re not inspectors, our experience allows us to identify potential problems that could require closer evaluation during the inspection process.
Navigating Offers and Inspections
Once you find “the one,” we guide you through structuring an offer that aligns with your financial goals. From collaborating with lenders on options like rate buy-downs to strategizing terms that appeal to sellers while protecting your interests, we ensure every detail is designed with your success in mind.
When it comes to inspections, we help you decipher what matters most. From identifying key repair priorities to advising on what requests to make, our expertise ensures you’re equipped with the information you need to move forward confidently—or to renegotiate if needed.
This hands-on, proactive approach means you’re not just buying a house—you’re securing a home that meets your needs, backed by the guidance and support of a team who’s with you every step of the way.
Closing Costs & The Appraisal: The Final Chapter
You’re almost there! As we approach the finish line, a few key steps and expenses ensure a smooth transition from listing to closing.
About T. Kerr Property Group + Russ Phillips Team
T. Kerr Property Group + Russ Phillips Team serves Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin, and surrounding Central Texas communities with integrity-first representation and client-focused advocacy. As a woman-owned real estate team with veterans on the team, we help buyers and sellers make smart financial decisions through clear strategy, strong negotiation, and local market expertise. With 800+ five-star reviews, 2,500+ homes bought and sold, more than $1 billion in production, and 65+ years of combined experience, our results are built on service and performance. Our team has been recognized by Platinum Top 50, featured on FOX 7 Austin, and honored with the Austin Business Journal Residential Real Estate Award. We have also been voted a top agent and team in Round Rock, won #1 team and agent for Georgetown Best through community voting, and rank #1 in Williamson County and #2 in Travis County for listings sold and buyers represented, excluding builders. Local experts. Relentless advocates. Results you can verify.