Most sellers focus on the sale price and are surprised at closing by how much smaller the check is. The gap is the cost of selling, and in South Carolina it adds up in fairly predictable ways. Knowing these numbers ahead of time helps you plan - and helps you compare a traditional sale to a cash offer honestly.
The main seller costs in South Carolina
Real estate commissions (usually the biggest)
If you list with an agent, commissions are typically around 5-6% of the sale price. On a $300,000 home that is roughly $15,000-$18,000. This is by far the largest selling cost for most homeowners, and it is the one a direct sale avoids entirely.
Deed stamps (state transfer tax)
South Carolina charges a deed recording fee, often called “deed stamps,” of $1.85 per $500 of the sale price - about 0.37% of the price. By long-standing custom the seller usually pays this, though it is negotiable. On a $300,000 sale that is about $1,110.
Closing attorney fees
South Carolina requires a licensed attorney to handle real estate closings. The buyer typically chooses and pays the closing attorney, but the seller usually owes a portion for services like handling payoffs and coordinating the title transfer - commonly in the range of a few hundred dollars (often around $250-$750).
Prorated property taxes
You are generally responsible for property taxes for the portion of the year you owned the home, prorated to the closing date. Depending on timing, this can be a credit or a charge at closing.
Mortgage and lien payoffs
Any remaining mortgage balance, plus any liens - a home equity loan, judgment, HOA, or property tax lien - is paid off from your proceeds at closing.
Repairs, concessions, and holding costs
On a traditional sale you may also spend on pre-listing repairs, buyer-requested repairs after inspection, seller concessions, and the carrying costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities) for every month the home sits on the market.
A rough example
On a $300,000 traditional sale, selling costs might look like:
- Commissions (about 6%): ~$18,000
- Deed stamps: ~$1,110
- Seller’s attorney portion: ~$500
- Plus prorated taxes, any repairs/concessions, and payoffs
So before touching the mortgage payoff, several thousand to well over $19,000 can come off the top. Your actual numbers depend on price, condition, and negotiation.
How a cash sale changes the math
A direct cash sale removes the largest costs: no agent commissions, no repairs, and typically minimal seller closing costs. The offer itself is below full retail (here is how it’s calculated), but because you are not paying 6% commissions or making repairs, the gap between the two paths is often smaller than it first appears. Our guide on cash offer vs. selling with an agent compares them side by side.
If keeping more of your equity matters, we are a local, family-run company buying across Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and Pickens counties. Reach out for a free, no-pressure offer.