If you’re selling your house in Dallas Fort Worth or Collin County, understanding closing costs upfront helps you plan accurately and avoid surprises. The good news: when you sell to Optimum Home Buyers for cash, you pay zero closing costs. But if you’re listing on the MLS, here’s exactly what to expect.
What Are Closing Costs?
Closing costs are fees and expenses paid at the time of closing to complete the sale of a property. In Texas, sellers typically pay between 8–10% of the sale price in total costs when selling on the MLS.
Typical Seller Closing Costs in Texas
Real Estate Agent Commissions
Cost: 5–6% of sale price
This is the largest closing cost for most sellers. In a traditional sale, the seller pays both the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent commission.
- On a $300,000 home: $15,000–$18,000
- On a $400,000 home: $20,000–$24,000
- On a $500,000 home: $25,000–$30,000
When selling to Optimum Home Buyers: $0 — no commissions ever.
Title Insurance
Cost: 0.5–1% of sale price
Texas requires a title insurance policy to protect the buyer against any title defects. The seller typically pays for the owner’s title policy.
- On a $300,000 home: $1,500–$3,000
When selling to Optimum Home Buyers: We pay the title insurance.
Escrow and Closing Fees
Cost: $500–$2,000
Fees charged by the title company or escrow company for handling the closing transaction.
When selling to Optimum Home Buyers: We pay all escrow and closing fees.
Property Taxes (Prorated)
Cost: Varies
You are responsible for property taxes up to the day of closing. In Texas, property taxes are paid in arrears, so the buyer typically receives a credit for the seller’s portion of the year.
- Collin County average tax rate: approximately 2.0–2.5% of assessed value
- On a $400,000 home: approximately $8,000–$10,000 per year (prorated to closing date)
When selling to Optimum Home Buyers: Taxes are prorated and handled at closing — no upfront payment required.
HOA Transfer Fees
Cost: $200–$500
If your property is in a homeowners association, there are typically transfer fees to update ownership records.
When selling to Optimum Home Buyers: We handle HOA transfer coordination.
Attorney Fees (Optional in Texas)
Cost: $500–$1,500
Texas does not require an attorney for real estate closings, but some sellers choose to hire one for complex transactions such as estate sales or short sales.
Repair Credits and Concessions
Cost: Varies widely
After a buyer’s inspection, sellers often agree to repair credits or price reductions. This is one of the most unpredictable costs in a traditional sale.
- Typical repair credit requests: $3,000–$15,000
When selling to Optimum Home Buyers: No inspections, no repair credits, no renegotiations after the offer is accepted.
Total Closing Cost Comparison
| Cost Item | MLS Sale | Cash Sale to Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Commissions | 5–6% | $0 |
| Title Insurance | 0.5–1% | $0 (we pay) |
| Escrow/Closing Fees | $500–$2,000 | $0 (we pay) |
| Repair Credits | $3,000–$15,000 | $0 |
| HOA Transfer | $200–$500 | $0 |
| Total | 8–10% of sale price | $0 |
On a $350,000 home, that’s a difference of $28,000–$35,000 in closing costs.
How Optimum Home Buyers Eliminates Closing Costs
When you sell to us for cash:
- We pay all closing costs — title insurance, escrow fees, recording fees
- No agent commissions — we are the buyer, no agents involved
- No repair credits — we buy as-is, no inspection contingencies
- No surprises — the offer we make is the amount you receive at closing
Frequently Asked Questions
Are closing costs negotiable in Texas? Some closing costs are negotiable, particularly agent commissions and certain title fees. However, taxes and government recording fees are fixed.
Can I roll closing costs into my mortgage payoff? No. Closing costs must be paid at closing, either from sale proceeds or out of pocket. If your sale proceeds are insufficient to cover costs, you would need to bring cash to closing.
What if I have very little equity — will I owe money at closing? If you owe more than the sale price minus closing costs, you may need to bring money to closing or negotiate a short sale. Contact us and we can help you evaluate your options.
Do I pay closing costs if I sell for cash? When selling to Optimum Home Buyers, you pay zero closing costs. We cover everything.
Get a Free Net Proceeds Estimate
Want to know exactly how much you’ll walk away with after all costs? Contact Optimum Home Buyers for a free net proceeds analysis. We’ll show you your estimated proceeds under both a cash sale and an MLS listing — side by side, with no pressure.
Call or text: 326-842-2525 Or fill out our form at: optimumhomebuyers.co When you sell directly to us, we cover closing costs — whether your home is in Frisco, McKinney, or Plano.