Erik Wright
Managing Broker & Founder
Selling a home in Oakland County typically involves Michigan transfer taxes of $8.60 per $1,000 of sale price, an owner’s title insurance policy, prorated property taxes, real estate commission and your mortgage payoff. On a $400,000 sale, transfer taxes alone are about $3,440. Knowing these costs upfront lets you calculate your real take-home number, not just your sale price.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Your title company and tax advisor can confirm your exact figures.
Michigan transfer tax in Oakland County
Michigan charges two transfer taxes when a property is sold, and the seller customarily pays both:
- State real estate transfer tax: $3.75 per $500, or $7.50 per $1,000 of sale price
- Oakland County transfer tax: $0.55 per $500, or $1.10 per $1,000 of sale price
- Total: $4.30 per $500, or $8.60 per $1,000 of sale price
Source: Michigan’s State Real Estate Transfer Tax Act and County Transfer Tax Act; county rates confirmed through county register of deeds schedules.
Quick examples:
- $300,000 sale: $2,250 state + $330 county = $2,580 total
- $400,000 sale: $3,000 state + $440 county = $3,440 total
- $600,000 sale: $4,500 state + $660 county = $5,160 total
- $1,000,000 sale: $7,500 state + $1,100 county = $8,600 total
Possible exemption: Michigan exempts a seller’s principal residence from the state portion in limited cases, generally when the home’s state equalized value hasn’t increased since purchase. That’s uncommon after recent years of rising values, but ask your title company to check.
Other seller closing costs in Oakland County
- Owner’s title insurance policy: Customarily paid by the seller in Southeast Michigan. Based on sale price; ask for a quote.
- Title and closing/settlement fees: Split or set by the purchase agreement. Varies by title company.
- Real estate commission: Negotiated in your listing agreement. Discuss your options with your agent.
- Buyer concessions: Negotiated per offer. Optional; sometimes used to help a buyer with closing costs.
- Property tax proration: Set by the purchase agreement. Michigan bills summer and winter taxes; your share is credited to the buyer.
- Mortgage payoff and any liens: Paid by the seller, from your lender’s payoff statement.
- Final water and utility bills: Paid by the seller, read at or near closing.
- HOA transfer or document fees: Varies. Common in condo and subdivision associations.
A note on commission: Since 2024, how buyer and listing agent compensation is negotiated and documented has changed nationwide. Your listing agent should walk you through every option in writing before you sign.
Sample net sheet: $450,000 Oakland County sale
- Sale price: $450,000
- Transfer taxes ($8.60 per $1,000): −$3,870
- Owner’s title policy and closing fees: −[title company quote]
- Commission: −[per listing agreement]
- Property tax proration: −[varies]
- Mortgage payoff: −[your balance]
- Estimated net to seller: [calculated]
[Erik: consider turning this into an interactive net-sheet calculator on the site. Calculators earn links and keep sellers on the page.]
How to keep more of your sale price
- Price right from day one. Price reductions and long market times usually cost more than any fee.
- Fix inspection issues early. A pre-listing inspection reduces renegotiation later.
- Compare title quotes. Fees vary by company.
- Time your sale. See Should You Sell Before or After the Holidays?
Local pricing guides: Selling in Novi · Livonia home values
Get your personalized net sheet
Social House prepares a free, line-by-line net sheet for every seller we meet, using your actual payoff, taxes and likely sale price. Request your free home value and net sheet or contact Erik.
Seller costs FAQ
How much is the transfer tax in Oakland County, Michigan?
$8.60 per $1,000 of sale price: $7.50 state plus $1.10 county. On a $400,000 sale, that’s $3,440.
Who pays transfer tax in Michigan, the buyer or the seller?
The seller customarily pays both the state and county transfer taxes.
Does the seller pay for title insurance in Michigan?
In Southeast Michigan, the seller customarily pays for the buyer’s owner’s title insurance policy. Terms are set in the purchase agreement.
How much will I net from selling my house?
Start with the sale price, then subtract transfer taxes, title and closing fees, commission, prorated taxes and your mortgage payoff. A local agent can build an exact net sheet.
