Cost to Sell a House in Oregon: Closing Costs & Net Sheet

What Comes Out of Your Sale Price and How to Figure Your Net

Today’s real estate question is: how much does it cost to sell a house in Oregon?

Short answer: The biggest cost of selling a house in Oregon is usually agent fees, which are negotiable and set in your listing agreement. After that come the owner’s title insurance policy, your share of escrow, recording and reconveyance fees, and in Washington County a transfer tax of $1 per $1,000 of the sale price. Your mortgage payoff and any repair credits also come out before you see your net.

I’m Shawn Yu of Shawn Realty. I’ve been selling homes in Bethany and Beaverton since 2008.

What sellers pay

The $700,000 figures are from one February 2026 example of mine, not a quote. Fees vary by title company, escrow company and transaction, so get current quotes from your title and escrow company before relying on any figure.

Washington County vs. Multnomah County

Washington County charges a transfer tax of $1 per $1,000 of the sale price (Washington County Code 3.04.070). On a $700,000 sale that’s $700 in total, and the county says liability is between the buyer and seller, so the sale agreement decides who pays. It’s often split. Oregon law (ORS 306.815) bars new local transfer taxes; Washington County’s was grandfathered in. Multnomah County, where most of Portland is, has no transfer tax. A Portland mailing address doesn’t tell you the county. Much of 97229, for example, is in Washington County, so check which county your home is in.

A $700,000 example

In my February 2026 example, title insurance, escrow, reconveyance and recording came to $3,100, plus the seller’s $350 share of the $700 Washington County transfer tax. Agent fees: set in your listing agreement and negotiable. Paying anything toward a buyer’s agent is also negotiable and not required. In this example only, I used $39,850 in total agent fees. That’s not a standard or recommended rate. Your mortgage payoff and any repair credits come out after that.

How to figure your net

Start with your likely sale price, not the list price. Then subtract:

• Your mortgage payoff, plus any HELOC or other loan on the house. Get the real payoff number from your lender.
• Agent fees, whatever you agreed to in your listing agreement.
• Seller-side escrow and title costs.
• Property taxes, split up to the closing date.
• HOA dues and transfer fees if you’re in a condo or townhome.
• Repair credits or closing-cost help you agree to give the buyer.

Then there’s the money you spend before you list, like repairs, cleaning, or staging. It’s not a closing cost, but it still comes out of what you walk away with. Taxes on the sale are a separate question. Talk to your tax person. I’m not one.

In my experience, the surprise is usually credits. In my experience, buyers in 2026 are doing careful inspections, and a roof or sewer issue often turns into a credit.

The happiest sellers I work with saw a net sheet before they listed, not the night before signing. I run it at three prices: a good outcome, a likely one, and a soft one. If the soft number still works for your next move, you’re in good shape. If you’re buying next, your net is your down payment and your cushion, so see should you sell first or buy first?

Get a free net sheet on your house

Send me your address and I’ll run a net sheet on your house at three prices: a good outcome, a likely one, and a soft one. It’s free. The numbers are estimates, not a guarantee of what you’ll walk away with. A net sheet isn’t an appraisal or an escrow statement, and it isn’t legal, tax or escrow advice.

One more thing at closing: watch out for wire fraud. If you get an email with new wiring instructions, call escrow at a number you already know before you do anything.

Questions people ask about the cost of selling

How much does it cost to sell a house in Oregon?

Agent fees are usually the biggest cost, and they’re negotiable and set in your listing agreement. On top of that, sellers typically pay the owner’s title insurance policy, their share of escrow, recording and reconveyance fees, and in Washington County a transfer tax. Your mortgage payoff and any repair credits come out of the proceeds too. A net sheet on your own house is the only way to know the real number.

Is there a real estate transfer tax in Oregon?

Oregon law generally prohibits local transfer taxes, but Washington County’s tax was grandfathered in. It’s $1 per $1,000 of the sale price, and the county says liability is between the buyer and seller. Multnomah County, where most of Portland is, has no transfer tax.

Who pays the transfer tax in Washington County, buyer or seller?

The county says liability is between the buyer and seller. In practice it’s set in the sale agreement and is often split. Check your contract and your escrow statement.

How much will I net from selling my house?

Start with the likely sale price, not the list price. Subtract your mortgage payoff, agent fees, your escrow and title costs, prorated property taxes, HOA fees if any, and any repair credits. What’s left is roughly your net, before any tax on the sale.

Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my home in Oregon?

It depends on your situation. Talk to a tax professional before you list. I’m not one, and the answer can change your plan.

In short

Agent fees are the biggest cost, title and escrow are next, Washington County adds a small transfer tax and Multnomah doesn’t, and your payoff and credits come out before your net. If you want a net sheet on your own house, send me your address above, or call or text 503-515-4499. To compare against online estimates, see why your Zestimate is different from what agents say.

General information, not legal, tax or escrow advice. Figures are examples and will differ for your sale.

Shawn Yu, Shawn Realty · 503-515-4499 · shawn@shawn-realty.com