What Does It Cost to Sell a Home in Utah? Commissions, Closing Fees, Taxes & Disclosures Explained

by Emma Romney

If you’re selling a home in Utah, understanding all the costs—real estate commissions, closing fees, required repairs or disclosures, taxes—is essential to avoiding surprises and maximizing your net profit. Working with a skilled Utah realtor can make a big difference. Below is a detailed breakdown of what sellers should expect in Utah in 2025, what costs are negotiable, and how a realtor helps you manage these costs.

1. Real Estate Agent Commissions in Utah

Typical commission rate: On average, seller’s agents in Utah pay about 5.61% of the sale price in commissions. This amount usually includes both the listing agent (your agent) and the buyer’s agent.
Split of commission: Roughly half goes to the buyer’s agent and half to the listing agent, on average, in Utah.
Negotiability: Realtor fees are usually negotiable. Working with a realtor who has strong market knowledge can result in a lower commission or more value given for your commission (better marketing, staging, negotiation).

2. Utah Seller Closing Costs & Fees

These are the costs incurred at or before closing, other than commissions.

Cost Type	What It Covers	Typical Amount / Rate in Utah
Title services/title search & title insurance	Verifies property title, checks liens or claims, and ensures a clean ownership transfer. Owner’s title insurance may be required.	Title service fees are about $500.
Recording fees	The fee charged by the county or city to record the deed and official documents.	Around $30-$40 in Utah.
Prorated property taxes	Sellers pay taxes for the portion of the year they owned the home. The rest is prorated to the buyer.	The average property tax rate in Utah is approximately 0.50% of the assessed value, but this rate varies significantly by county.
Buyer incentives/seller concessions	Sometimes sellers offer credits for repairs, closing costs, or other concessions if buyers request them in contract or inspection contingencies. Helps negotiations.	Sellers often budget ~2.00% of the home sale price as potential buyer incentives.
Attorney fees	Optional in Utah; used if the title/closing involves complicated or legal issues. A realtor can often help avoid surprises or unnecessary legal costs.	Approximately $250/hour if used; flat fees in simple closings may be lower.

3. Taxes & Government-Mandated Costs

Transfer tax/Realty transfer tax: Utah generally does not charge a state‐level realty transfer tax when property changes hands.
Recording fees: As above, city or county recording fees apply.
Capital gains tax: If you’ve owned and lived in the home for at least 2 of the last 5 years, you might qualify for the federal primary residence exclusion. For other cases, gains may be subject to taxation. Also, Utah has a state income tax, so capital gains not excluded may be taxed as ordinary income at Utah’s rate (~4.95%).

4. Repairs, Disclosures, and Pre-Sale Costs

Required Disclosures: Utah law requires certain property disclosures, including structural issues, known defects, environmental hazards, and water rights. These costs vary depending on complexity. A realtor helps ensure compliance, reducing legal risk.
Inspection repairs: Buyers often request home inspections; identified defects may need repairs or concessions (monetary credits). Sellers should budget for potential repair costs.
Preparation & staging costs: Curb appeal, cleaning, landscaping, and minor fixes to boost market price. While optional, these can improve the sale price and reduce days on market.

5. Total Cost & Percentage of Sale Price

Putting it all together:

Closing costs (excluding agent commissions) in Utah are on average ~2.48% of the sale price.
Add commissions (~5.61%) for a typical realtor arrangement.
Combined total seller costs typically fall within the 6.25%-9% range of the home’s sale price, depending on local fees, repairs, and whether you offer concessions, among other factors.

For example, on a $500,000 home in Utah, that might mean $12,400 in closing costs, approximately $28,000 in commissions, and extra expenses for repairs and disclosure work. The net cost could be $40,000-$50,000 out of that sale price, depending on the circumstances.

6. Why Partnering with a Realtor in Utah Helps

Working with a licensed, experienced Utah realtor pays off in multiple ways:

Accurate pricing, so you don’t overpay in unwanted costs (stays on market longer, more maintenance) or underprice.
Negotiation strength: Realtors negotiate not just the sale price but also who pays what among buyer incentives, repairs, and disclosures.
Vendor network: Connection to trusted contractors, title companies, and home inspection services, so you avoid overcharges.
Knowledge of local regulations: Ensures disclosures are compliant, thereby reducing the risk of legal liability.
Marketing & staging advice: Helps minimize repair and staging spends while maximizing return.

7. Tips to Reduce Seller Costs in Utah

Negotiate commissions with your listing agent. Sometimes you can get a lower listing fee.
Ask the buyer to contribute: Part of the buyer’s closing costs or repairs can be structured into the offer.
Perform a pre-inspection: Identify issues early so you can decide whether to repair or provide a credit.
Shop title/closing services: Different title companies may have different fees.
Time your sale well: Selling earlier, before tax assessments change, or when market demand is strong, reduces carrying costs.

Summary

Selling a home in Utah involves more than just setting a price. Key costs include:

Real estate agent commissions (~5.6% on average)
Closing fees (~2.5% excluding commissions)
Taxes and recording/prorated property taxes
Disclosure and repair costs
Any optional legal/inspection/staging/vendor costs

When all is said and done, you can expect total seller costs to fall within the 6% to 9% range of the sale price for many Utah home sales, depending on the home’s condition, location, and the extent of negotiation.

Conclusion

If you’re planning to sell your Utah home and want to maximize your proceeds while minimizing surprises, don’t go it alone. A local Utah realtor can provide a custom cost estimate, guide you through required disclosures, coordinate repairs, help negotiate commissions, and ensure your sale closes cleanly.

Reach out today for a free consultation with an experienced Utah realtor who knows your county’s fees and rules, so you’ll know exactly what to expect and what you’ll net at closing. Want that estimate now? Just contact me below and I’ll run one for your property—no obligation.