How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Los Angeles in 2026?
Los Angeles has some of the highest home-selling costs in California. On the median-priced $850,000 home, total selling costs range from $60,000 to $110,000 through a traditional agent. LA's city transfer tax, high commissions, and expensive repairs make selling particularly costly. Acquily's cash offer eliminates all of it.
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Traditional | With Acquily |
|---|
| Agent Commission (5-6%) | $42,500 – $51,000 | $0 |
| Closing Costs (1-3%) | $8,500 – $25,500 | $0 |
| Home Repairs & Prep | $8,000 – $25,000 | $0 |
| Staging & Photography | $3,000 – $6,000 | $0 |
| Holding Costs (3-5 months) | $9,000 – $15,000 | $0 |
| Concessions to Buyer | $0 – $17,000 | $0 |
| LA City Transfer Tax | $3,825 | $0 |
| County Transfer Tax | $935 | $0 |
Why LA Has the Highest Selling Costs in California
Los Angeles charges a city transfer tax of $4.50 per $1,000 of the sale price on top of the county transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000. On an $850,000 home, that is $4,760 in transfer taxes alone. Starting in 2024, properties over $5 million face an additional 4 percent mansion tax, though this does not affect most residential sellers.
LA's competitive market also means higher staging and photography costs. Professional staging in Los Angeles runs $3,000 to $6,000, and top-tier listing photography with drone footage costs $500 to $1,500. These costs are essentially mandatory in the LA market to compete for buyer attention.
How to Sell in LA Without Paying Any Fees
Acquily buys houses for cash throughout Los Angeles County, including Compton, Inglewood, South LA, Lancaster, Palmdale, and the San Fernando Valley. We pay all closing costs, all transfer taxes, and charge zero commissions. You keep your full offer amount. For sellers in areas with older housing stock or properties needing significant work, our cash offer often results in more money in your pocket than listing after costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the transfer tax in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has two transfer taxes: the county transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 and the city transfer tax of $4.50 per $1,000. On an $850,000 home within the City of LA, total transfer taxes are approximately $4,760. Acquily covers all transfer taxes on cash offers.
How much is realtor commission in Los Angeles?
Realtor commission in Los Angeles is typically 5 to 6 percent of the sale price. On an $850,000 home, that is $42,500 to $51,000. This is usually split between the listing agent and buyer's agent. Acquily charges zero commission.
How long does it take to sell a house in Los Angeles?
The average time to sell a house in Los Angeles in 2026 is 50 to 90 days from listing to close, depending on the neighborhood and price point. With Acquily, you can close in as few as 21 days.
Do sellers pay closing costs in Los Angeles?
Yes, sellers in Los Angeles typically pay 1 to 3 percent of the sale price in closing costs, plus transfer taxes. On an $850,000 home, total seller closing costs range from $13,260 to $30,260. Acquily covers all closing costs.
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