Avoid These 5 Overlooked Costs When Selling a Home in Islip Terrace

You’ve prepped your home, found a buyer, and are ready to close—but did you budget for all the real costs of selling your home in Islip Terrace? Many homeowners underestimate or forget about certain expenses that can chip away at their bottom line. Here are 5 hidden or often-overlooked costs to watch for:

1. Transfer Taxes

In New York, sellers are responsible for the state transfer tax, which is $4 for every $1,000 of the sale price. It may not seem like much, but on a $500,000 home, that’s $2,000 right off the top.

2. Attorney Fees

New York law doesn’t require an attorney to sell a home, but in practice, it’s highly recommended—and often expected. Legal fees for seller-side real estate attorneys typically range from $1,500 to $3,000.

3. Repairs After the Home Inspection

Even small repairs requested by the buyer after the home inspection can cost more than expected. Be ready to negotiate—and budget—for items like plumbing leaks, roof patches, or appliance replacements.

4. Agent Commission

While obvious to many, some sellers don’t fully understand the math. In most transactions, the seller pays both the listing and buyer agent commissions, which typically total 5–6% of the sale price.

5. Holding Costs if Your Sale Is Delayed

If your home doesn’t close quickly, you may continue paying mortgage payments, utilities, taxes, and insurance—sometimes for weeks or months. These holding costs can quietly eat into your profit.

Want to know exactly what you’ll walk away with? Jeffrey Canas at Serhant South Shore offers customized net-to-seller sheets so you can plan your move with total financial clarity.