What Fees Do Sellers Pay in Northville?

Selling a home in Northville, Michigan is a significant financial transaction – and it involves more than just finding a buyer. If you’re planning to sell a home here in 2025, it’s important to understand the various closing costs and fees you’ll be responsible for as a seller. Whether you own a single-family house in a subdivision, a downtown Northville condo, a townhouse, or a luxury estate, the sale will involve expenses beyond the agent’s commission. This comprehensive guide breaks down what Northville home sellers typically pay, using the latest data and examples to help you budget. We’ll also explain which fees are negotiable and how working with an experienced local team (like The Perna Team) can make your sale more cost-effective and predictable.

Northville’s housing market remains strong, with a median sold home price around $595,000 as of early 2025 (about 13% higher than a year prior). At these prices, sellers can expect to pay tens of thousands of dollars in transaction costs by the time the sale is completed. In fact, total seller expenses (including a standard agent commission) often range around 6–8% of the sale price in a market like Northville. Being aware of these costs upfront will help you plan properly and avoid any last-minute surprises at closing. Below, we break down each of the common fees Northville home sellers should anticipate.

Breakdown of Common Seller Fees in Northville

For home sellers in Northville, the key closing costs and fees typically include the following:

Real Estate Agent Commission (5%–6% of sale price): This is usually the largest expense for sellers. The commission is generally split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, and in Michigan it averages about 5.86% of the home’s price (roughly 6%). For a $600,000 Northville home, a 6% commission comes to approximately $36,000 paid out of the sale proceeds. Commission rates are negotiable, but full-service realtors (like The Perna Team) earn this fee by marketing the property, negotiating offers, and managing the sale to ensure you get top dollar. (If you negotiate a lower rate – say 5% on a high-end property – that can reduce this cost, though the standard in our area remains around 6% for most sales.)
Title Insurance & Closing Fees: In Michigan, it’s customary for the seller to purchase an owner’s title insurance policy for the buyer. This one-time premium protects the new owner (and their lender) against any title issues or claims. The cost is typically about 0.5% of the sale price (a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on price). For example, on a $500,000–$600,000 home, the owner’s title policy might cost around $2,500–$3,000. In addition, the title company will charge a closing or escrow fee for handling the paperwork and funds. This fee is often in the range of $300–$600, and in many Metro Detroit transactions it’s split between buyer and seller (each paying a few hundred) – though exact practices can vary. Essentially, this covers the professional services to prepare documents, facilitate the closing, and record the new deed. You’ll see these title-related charges itemized on your closing statement.
Michigan Transfer Taxes: Michigan charges a real estate transfer tax whenever property changes hands. The combined state and county transfer tax comes to $8.60 per $1,000 of the sale price (approximately 0.86%). The seller typically pays this in Michigan. For a $600,000 home sale, that’s about $5,160 in transfer taxes. (By law, the state tax is $3.75 per $500 and the county tax is $0.55 per $500 of value, which is how we get the 0.86% total.) This fee is non-negotiable in most sales – it will be deducted at closing and paid to the state and county when the deed is recorded. One exception: If you’re selling your primary residence at a loss (relative to when you bought it), you might qualify for an exemption from the state portion of the transfer tax. For instance, Michigan law waives the state transfer tax if a principal residence is sold for a value equal to or less than its previously assessed value (effectively, if you didn’t gain value on it). This scenario may be less common in Northville’s rising market, but it’s worth asking your agent or title company about if you believe you qualify. Otherwise, plan on the full 0.86% transfer tax as a cost of selling.
HOA or Condo Association Fees (if applicable): If your property is part of a homeowners association or condo association, there may be certain fees due upon sale. First, you’ll need to pay any unpaid dues or assessments up to the closing date – the buyer shouldn’t be left with your outstanding HOA bills. Additionally, many associations charge a one-time “transfer fee” or “association compliance fee” when a property changes owners, to cover the paperwork and account setup for the new owner. In Northville, these fees can range widely depending on the community – often around a few hundred dollars, but sometimes more. For example, an HOA might charge $200 to $1,000 for processing the ownership transfer. Condo complexes may also require the seller to purchase a condo disclosure package or resale certificate for the buyer (sometimes this is rolled into the transfer fee). It’s important to check your association’s bylaws for any required seller fees. While HOA fees at closing are negotiable to some extent (the buyer could agree to pay, or split them), in practice Northville sellers often cover the transfer fee as a courtesy or per association rules. If you’re selling a townhouse or condo, make sure to factor in a few hundred dollars for potential association charges. Luxury subdivisions in Northville that have gated entries or private amenities might also have an HOA – again, verify if there’s a required contribution or fee from the seller when selling.
Attorney Fees (optional): In Michigan, hiring a real estate attorney for a home sale is not required, but some sellers choose to involve an attorney to review the purchase agreement or handle complex issues. If you do hire an attorney to assist with the sale or to attend the closing, you’ll need to pay their fee. A typical real estate attorney in Michigan might charge between $500 and $1,500 for a home sale, depending on the level of involvement. Simple document review might be on the lower end, whereas handling more complex contract edits or legal issues could be higher. Most Northville home sales do not require legal counsel beyond the services provided by your realtor and the title company. However, for peace of mind or unusual situations (for example, an estate sale or resolving title problems), a seller might incur this cost. It’s an optional expense – one you can often avoid – but worth noting. The Perna Team can help you determine if an attorney’s help is needed in your situation or if the standard procedure will suffice.
Miscellaneous Local Fees & Closing Adjustments: Every sale has a few smaller charges to account for. In Oakland and Wayne County (where Northville is located), the deed recording fee (to officially record the new deed) is usually paid at closing – this is a minor fee (on the order of $30–$50 for the seller’s side). You might also see a transaction facilitation or compliance fee from your real estate brokerage (some brokerages charge the seller a flat administrative fee, say $300 – this varies by company, and many full-service agents waive it or don’t charge sellers extra beyond commission). Additionally, while Northville does not require a city presale inspection or municipal certificate of occupancy (some other Michigan cities do, at a cost of a few hundred dollars), you should budget for any final utility bills or municipal services to be paid. For example, the final water bill typically must be paid at closing – the title company often withholds a small escrow until the final reading is done to ensure the bill is covered. It’s smart to request a final meter reading from the City of Northville or Northville Township utilities and pay off the bill so this doesn’t hold up your closing. If your property is in an outlying part of Northville without city sewer or water (rare, but some luxury homes or outskirts in Northville Township might have a septic system or well), you may be required to have the septic system inspected as part of the sale – Wayne County, for example, mandates a septic inspection under its Time of Sale program for homes with septic tanks. Such an inspection could cost a few hundred dollars (and any required pumping or repairs would be an additional cost). These kinds of miscellaneous fees aren’t huge individually, but they add up. Your closing statement will also reflect prorated property taxes – essentially, you’ll pay your share of property taxes for the portion of the tax year you owned the home, while the buyer takes over from closing onward. (Northville property taxes are typically prorated between buyer and seller, not an extra fee per se, but this does affect your net proceeds.) Lastly, if you agreed to include a home warranty for the buyer or other concessions, those would be paid at closing as well. For instance, a one-year home warranty might cost ~$500 – some sellers offer this as a selling incentive. All these miscellaneous costs will be detailed in your final settlement statement so you can see exactly what was charged.

As you can see, Northville home sellers face several categories of closing costs. The real estate commission is by far the largest line item in most cases, but the title, tax, and other fees can easily sum to another 1%–2% (or more) of the sale price on top of the commission. Next, we’ll look at some concrete examples to illustrate the total cost range, and then discuss which of these fees are negotiable or avoidable.

Example: Seller Closing Cost Estimates for Northville Homes

To put things in perspective, let’s run through a few examples of what the total fees might look like for different Northville home sales in 2025. These are rough estimates for illustration – your actual costs will vary – but they give a ballpark of what to expect:

Single-Family Home (approx. $600,000 sale price): This is around Northville’s median price point for a detached house. Assuming a 6% commission, that’s about $36,000. Transfer tax at 0.86% would be roughly $5,160. Title insurance and closing fees might total around $2,800–$3,000. Let’s say there’s no HOA fee for this example (typical for most single-family homes). Add a few hundred in misc. fees (recording, etc.). Total Seller Costs ≈ $44,000, or about 7.3% of the sale price. (If the home sold for more, say $700K, the dollar amounts go up accordingly – e.g. ~$50k in total costs at 7%.)
Condo/Townhouse (approx. $300,000 sale price): Northville also has condos and smaller homes; many nice condos/townhomes sell in the high-$200s to mid-$300s. At a $300K price, a 6% commission is $18,000. Transfer tax 0.86% = $2,580. Title insurance & closing fees maybe around $1,500–$1,800 (cost is a bit lower for a lower price). If this property has an HOA, assume a transfer fee of, say, $300 (could be more, could be less). Miscellaneous $200. Total ≈ $22,500 in costs. That’s roughly 7.5% of the price. Smaller properties have smaller absolute costs, but notice the percentage can actually be a tad higher because certain fixed fees don’t scale down (e.g. a minimum title fee or HOA charge). Also, in some condo sales, buyers may ask sellers to cover a year of home warranty or a small closing credit – which would add to the cost if agreed.
Luxury Property (approx. $1,200,000 sale price): Northville has its share of luxury homes (estates in areas like Stonewater, Steeplechase, or custom builds) that can sell for $1M+. Let’s take $1.2M for example. A traditional 6% commission on that would be $72,000. However, at this price point some sellers negotiate a slightly lower rate – perhaps 5% commission – which would be $60,000. Transfer tax remains 0.86% = about $10,320. Title insurance might cost on the order of $5,000 (the rate percentage often decreases slightly for high values, but let’s approximate ~0.4–0.5%). Closing fees maybe $500. Likely no HOA for an estate (or if there is, say $500 fee). Total ≈ $76,000 (if 5% commission) or up to $88,000 (at 6% commission). In percentage terms, that’s about 6.3% of the sale price with a 5% commission, or 7.3% with 6%. So, the higher the price, the more there is room to save on commission percentage. Still, even at a lower rate, the dollar amount paid in fees is quite substantial on a million-dollar sale. This example underscores why expert guidance is crucial in luxury sales – you want to make sure those big costs are managed wisely and that you’re netting the highest possible proceeds.

Note: The above examples are illustrative. Every sale will differ based on the negotiated terms and specific services used. For instance, if a buyer in a slower market asks you to contribute $5,000 toward their closing costs, that effectively increases your costs (while netting you a higher sale price on paper). In Northville’s current market, sellers have had more leverage, so seller-paid buyer concessions are less common – but it’s something to be aware of in case market conditions change.

Now that we’ve broken down the typical fees and seen some examples, let’s discuss which costs are fixed vs. negotiable, and how you might reduce or avoid certain expenses when selling your Northville home.

What Can Sellers Negotiate or Avoid?

The good news is that not all seller costs are set in stone. Some can be negotiated or minimized with the right strategy. Here are ways Northville sellers can potentially reduce their selling expenses:

Realtor Commission Negotiation: Agent commissions are negotiable between you and your real estate agent. While ~6% is common, some sellers negotiate a lower rate, especially for higher-priced properties or if the same agent is helping them buy another home (volume discount). For example, an agent might agree to 5% if your home price is high or if you’re a repeat client. However, be cautious about going with ultra-low commission brokers – you often “get what you pay for” in terms of service and final sale price. The Perna Team’s philosophy is to maximize your net: sometimes paying a full-service commission results in a much higher sale price due to superior marketing and negotiation, more than offsetting the fee. That said, it never hurts to discuss commission options. Some creative arrangements exist too (such as a slightly lower rate if the buyer is procured in-house, or tiered commissions based on how quickly the home sells or at what price). In the end, choose an agent based on their track record and value, not just the commission number. An experienced Northville agent may very well net you more money even after a standard commission, compared to a discount approach that leaves money on the table.
Shopping Title and Closing Services: Title insurance rates in Michigan are filed with the state, so there isn’t a huge variance in price between title companies. However, you do have the right to shop around or choose your title company, potentially saving on the ancillary fees. In many Northville sales, the buyer’s side or their lender will suggest a title company, but since the seller is paying for the owner’s policy, you can negotiate or request a particular title provider if you have a cheaper quote. Realistically, the difference might not be very large, but every bit counts. Additionally, some title companies may waive certain fees or offer discounts if you bundle services (for instance, using the same company for title and as the closing escrow agent). The Perna Team can recommend trusted local title companies that offer competitive rates and excellent service to our clients. While you likely can’t avoid the title policy itself (it’s a standard expectation in Michigan that sellers provide it), you can ensure you’re not overpaying on the margins.
Transfer Tax and Government Fees: The state and county transfer taxes are fixed by law, so you can’t negotiate the amount with the government. What you can negotiate is who pays – in Michigan, it’s customary for the seller to pay these, but it’s not legally mandated. In a softer market, a buyer might agree to split transfer taxes or pay them entirely (effectively offering you a higher net price). In a strong seller’s market like Northville has seen, however, buyers will expect the seller to cover this as usual. One thing to remember is the principal residence exemption on the state transfer tax we mentioned earlier – if you think you qualify, make sure to claim it (through the proper form at closing) so you’re not paying a tax you don’t owe. This could save you $7.50 per $1,000 of the sale price (the state portion) if eligible. Aside from that, there’s not much wiggle room on transfer or recording fees – just be aware of them. The Perna Team will ensure any applicable tax exemptions or discounts (such as for certain family transfers or other special cases) are identified so you don’t pay unnecessary taxes.
HOA and Condo Fees: Many of the fees related to homeowners associations are dictated by the association itself, but there may be room to negotiate who pays. For example, if there’s a hefty HOA transfer fee, a motivated buyer might agree to cover it or at least split it. Likewise, if an upcoming HOA special assessment is announced, negotiation could determine whether the seller pre-pays it or the buyer assumes it. Our experience in Northville is that smaller admin fees (a few hundred dollars) are usually just paid by the seller to keep things smooth. However, if you’re facing a larger cost (say a $1,000 capital contribution or a several-thousand-dollar assessment), talk to your agent about strategies – sometimes these can become part of the offer negotiations. Also, order your condo/HOA documentation early to avoid rush fees – associations might charge extra for expediting documents if you wait until the last minute. By being proactive, you might save that fee. The Perna Team is familiar with many local Northville associations and can help anticipate these charges and possibly negotiate them as part of the deal structure so there are no surprises.
Limiting Repair Concessions: One often-overlooked “seller cost” comes during the inspection phase. If a buyer’s inspection uncovers issues, they may ask for repairs or monetary concessions. As a seller, any money you agree to off the sale price for repairs is an out-of-pocket cost (indirectly). To avoid giving large credits or paying for big fixes, it’s wise to maintain your home and address known issues before listing. In Northville, buyers expect well-maintained homes; taking care of that leaky roof or failed sump pump in advance could save you from a $10,000 repair credit demand later. Some sellers even pay for a pre-inspection to identify issues upfront. While that’s an extra few hundred dollars (optional), it can reduce the chance of costly surprises. Ultimately, negotiation is key – with a strong seller’s agent, you can often negotiate inspection requests down to a reasonable level. The goal is to prevent giving a big closing cost credit to the buyer for repairs. The Perna Team’s agents are skilled at this phase – we help our sellers craft sensible responses to inspection findings, potentially saving you thousands that you might have otherwise conceded.
Skip Unnecessary Extras: As mentioned, attorney involvement is optional – most Northville sellers won’t need to pay for one if they have a good agent and title company. Similarly, you aren’t required to offer a home warranty or to pay any of the buyer’s closing costs unless it’s part of the negotiated deal. In the current market, it’s rare for sellers to offer closing cost assistance to buyers in Northville (homes have been selling quickly without such incentives). So, you can often avoid paying buyer’s costs or home warranties unless it becomes a point of negotiation. Even things like staging or repairs – while they may help your sale – are within your control and budget. If cost-cutting is crucial, discuss with your agent which prep expenses are truly worth it. The Perna Team provides guidance on smart prepping: for instance, we might advise spending a small amount on paint and landscaping (for better price and faster sale) but avoiding an expensive kitchen remodel that won’t recoup its cost. By being strategic in pre-sale investments, you indirectly save money by not overspending on things that won’t yield a return.
Leverage Your Agent’s Expertise: A huge advantage of working with an experienced local agent is they can save you money through the process. The Perna Team, for example, will review the closing statement with a fine-tooth comb to catch any errors or unwarranted fees before you sign. It’s not uncommon for mistakes to happen – perhaps a fee that the buyer was supposed to pay ended up on your side, or a math error in prorations. We’ve got an extra set of eyes on it so you’re only paying what you truly owe. We also help coordinate all the closing details (like ensuring your mortgage payoff is accurate to the day, and that you cancel utilities and insurance at the right time to avoid overlap costs). Through countless transactions, The Perna Team has encountered and resolved many “last-minute” issues – from old liens to miscalculated taxes – which if left unaddressed could cost a seller money or delay the closing. Our goal is to make the process predictable and efficient: we provide our sellers with an upfront net sheet estimating all these costs, so from the beginning you have a clear picture of your expected net proceeds. As the sale progresses, we update you if anything changes, and we handle negotiations with the buyer in a way that safeguards your bottom line. Simply put, we treat your money like it’s our own – we want you to keep as much of your equity as possible.

By understanding and managing these various fees, Northville sellers can significantly impact their net profit. A combination of planning, negotiation, and expert guidance will ensure that you’re not caught off guard by costs and that you only pay what’s necessary to successfully close the deal.

Plan Ahead and Leverage Local Expertise

Selling a home in Northville can be a rewarding endeavor, especially with home values on the rise, but it does require careful attention to closing costs. From real estate commissions and title fees to transfer taxes and HOA charges, knowing what to expect will help you make informed decisions and avoid sticker shock when you see the final settlement statement. Remember that many of these costs are a function of your home’s value – the more your home is worth, the more you’ll pay in absolute dollars, but that also means more profit potential if handled correctly. By budgeting around 6–8% of your home’s price for fees, you can roughly gauge your potential net proceeds (subject to your specific situation).

Most importantly, don’t navigate this process alone. The nuances of who pays what, what’s customary in Northville vs. what’s negotiable, and how to strategically minimize costs are all things a seasoned local real estate team can assist you with. The Perna Team has extensive experience helping sellers in Northville – we pride ourselves on making the selling process transparent, cost-effective, and hassle-free for our clients. When you work with us, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of your expected costs from day one, advise you on where you might save money, and fiercely negotiate on your behalf to maximize your net. Our goal is the same as yours: to get your home sold for top dollar, while ensuring you keep as much of that money in your pocket as possible.

Ready to take the next step? If you’re considering selling your Northville home, we invite you to contact The Perna Team for a no-obligation consultation. We can discuss your home’s current market value and give you a personalized estimate of what it would cost to sell in today’s market, taking into account all the fees we’ve outlined. With the right preparation and the right team on your side, you can approach your home sale with confidence. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you successfully sell your Northville property – and make the process both profitable and predictable for you. We’re here to ensure you have a smooth sale and a great experience from start to finish!