Selling a house can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Between real estate agent commissions, home repairs, and closing costs, selling expenses tend to add up fast. The good news is that there are multiple ways to minimize home-selling costs in Atlanta. Whether you're considering selling FSBO (for sale by owner) or looking for cost-effective home improvements you can do in Atlanta to increase your home value before selling, you should know these 7 ways to cut costs without cutting corners.
Biggest expenses when selling your Atlanta house
Before diving into ways to save money, let’s look at the biggest costs that come with selling a house:
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Real estate agent commissions: Historically, agents have charged 5%–6% of the sale price. On a home valued at $200,000, that would be a $10,000–$12,000 commission.
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Home repairs and staging: Preparing a house for sale can be expensive, with repairs costing thousands. On top of that, staging your home for buyers can add to the expense.
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Closing costs: Atlanta sellers usually pay 2%–5% of the sale price in closing costs, which include title fees, attorney costs, and transfer taxes.
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Marketing expenses: Professional photos, online ads, and listing fees can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
How to cut costs when selling your Atlanta home
When you’re trying to minimize home-selling costs in Atlanta, you could:
1. Sell FSBO (for sale by owner).
One of the biggest ways to save money is to sell your house without a real estate agent in Atlanta. With an FSBO home sale in Atlanta, you can avoid paying commissions to an agent. You could:
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List your home on websites like Zillow, FSBO.com, and Redfin.
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Use a flat-fee MLS (multiple listing service) to get listed without full agent costs.
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Market your house through social media, local groups, and word of mouth.
2. Negotiate a lower commission.
If you use an agent, try negotiating a lower commission or asking for a flat fee. Some agents charge less, especially with recent changes in real estate commission rules. You can also look for trusted home buyers who don’t charge agent fees.
3. Save on home staging.
You don’t need to spend thousands on staging. Stage your home yourself and:
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Declutter and remove personal items.
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Use natural light to make your home look bright and open.
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Rearrange furniture to create a welcoming space.
4. Make cost-effective repairs.
Not all home repairs are worth the money. Instead of big renovations, focus on smaller, cost-effective home improvements on your Atlanta house:
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Paint in neutral colors.
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Incorporate simple landscaping (mowing, trimming hedges, adding mulch).
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Update fixtures like cabinet handles and light fixtures.
If your property needs major repairs, it may be better to sell your Atlanta house “as is” instead of fixing everything yourself.
5. Offer buyer incentives instead of repairs.
Rather than paying for costly repairs upfront, offer a repair credit at closing. This keeps your costs low while still attracting buyers.
6. Shop around for closing services.
You can save money by comparing prices on services like:
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Title companies
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Home inspectors
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Attorneys (required in Georgia real estate transactions)
You could also look for bundled service discounts to reduce costs.
7. Sell to an off-market home buyer.
If you want to avoid agent fees, repairs, and closing costs when you’re selling a house in Atlanta, consider selling directly to companies that buy houses like We Buy Ugly Houses®. When you work with We Buy Ugly Houses as your off-market home buyer, you get a home sale with:
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No agent fees: We don’t charge commissions, which means you won’t be paying a percentage of your home value to a middleman.
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No repair costs: If you want to sell a house that needs repairs in Georgia, come to us. We buy houses in Atlanta “as is,” so you don’t need to fix anything.
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No closing costs: We cover all typical closings costs and never hit you with any hidden fees.†
With our 3-step home-buying process, we can take you from consultation to closing quickly, sometimes in as little as 3 weeks.
Common mistakes home sellers make
Many sellers waste money without realizing it. Avoid these common mistakes when selling your Atlanta home:
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Overpricing your home: A high price can make your house sit on the market too long, forcing you to lower the price later.
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Spending on unnecessary renovations: Some improvements don’t increase value enough to justify the cost.
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Not negotiating seller costs: Some buyers are willing to split closing costs, so don’t assume you have to cover everything.
Ready to cut costs and sell your Atlanta house?
Selling your home in Atlanta doesn’t have to be expensive. When you work with We Buy Ugly Houses, you can avoid commissions, skip expensive repairs, and pay zero closing costs. We buy houses in almost any condition, so you don’t have to worry about staging, renovations, or hidden fees. With our simple, straightforward process, you can sell quickly and minimize home-selling costs in Atlanta. If you’re looking for an easy and cost-effective way to sell your house, contact We Buy Ugly Houses in Atlanta today for a free, no-obligation consultation toward an offer on your house.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
