Seller Net Proceeds Calculator
See what you walk away with after paying off the loan and costs.
Total commission, often around 5–6%.
Results update as you type.
This calculator is for illustrative purposes only. Actual rates, fees and terms vary by lender. Consult a qualified financial adviser before making borrowing decisions.
How it works
The sale price on a for-sale sign is rarely the amount a seller actually pockets. A seller net proceeds calculator bridges that gap by subtracting everything that comes out of the sale before you get paid: the remaining mortgage balance, the real estate agent commission, and other closing costs like transfer taxes and title fees. The result is your net proceeds, the real cash you walk away with, along with a clear tally of what the sale itself costs you. The biggest deductions are usually the loan payoff and the commission. Whatever you still owe on the mortgage must be settled at closing from the sale price, and agent commissions, often around five to six percent split between the buyer's and seller's agents, take a meaningful slice off the top. Layer on closing costs and the difference between the sale price and your take-home can be tens of thousands of dollars, which surprises many first-time sellers. The calculation works by starting from the gross sale price and peeling away each obligation in turn until only your money is left. Seeing the breakdown early helps you price realistically, judge whether an offer clears your remaining loan with room to spare, and plan the down payment on your next home. It also makes the cost of selling visible, which is useful when weighing whether to sell now, negotiate a lower commission, or wait for more equity to build.
Net proceeds = sale price − mortgage balance − (sale price × commission%) − other closing costs
Starting from the sale price, the calculator subtracts three things that stand between the headline number and your bank account: the outstanding mortgage balance you must repay, the agent commission computed as a percentage of the sale price, and any other closing costs such as transfer taxes and title fees. What remains is your net proceeds, the cash you actually take home. The total selling costs figure sums the commission and closing costs so you can see exactly how much the sale itself consumes.
Source:Standard real estate formula
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter sale price and mortgage balance.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust agent commission and other closing costs if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Net proceeds updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What is typically deducted from my sale price?
The main deductions are your remaining mortgage balance, which is paid off at closing, and the agent commission, often around five to six percent of the sale price. Other closing costs can include transfer or excise taxes, title insurance, escrow or attorney fees, and any seller concessions or repair credits. Property taxes may be prorated too. This calculator captures the loan payoff, commission, and a combined figure for other closing costs.
How much is the real estate agent commission?
Commission is negotiable but has traditionally run around five to six percent of the sale price, usually split between the listing and buyer's agents. On a $500,000 home a 6% commission is $30,000, a substantial sum, which is why the rate is worth discussing with your agent. Recent industry changes have made commissions more openly negotiable, so entering your actual agreed percentage gives the most accurate net proceeds.
Does this include capital gains tax?
No. The calculator shows net proceeds before any income or capital gains tax you might owe on the sale. Many primary-home sellers qualify for a large capital gains exclusion, but investment properties and larger gains can trigger tax. Because tax depends on your specific situation, cost basis, and how long you owned the home, treat the net proceeds as pre-tax cash and consult a tax professional to estimate any liability.
Can my net proceeds be negative?
Yes. If your sale price does not cover the mortgage balance plus selling costs, the result is negative, meaning you would need to bring cash to closing to complete the sale. This situation, sometimes called being underwater or upside down, happens when a loan exceeds the home's sale value. The calculator will show a negative figure so you can see the shortfall before committing to a sale at that price.
How can I increase my net proceeds?
The largest levers are the sale price, the commission rate, and your loan payoff. Negotiating a lower commission, making cost-effective improvements that lift the sale price, and timing the sale after more of the mortgage is paid down all raise net proceeds. Shopping for lower title and closing fees helps at the margin. Running different scenarios in this calculator shows how each change flows through to the cash you actually take home.