Selling a house in Royal Oak at June 2026’s median sale price of $390,000 costs roughly $15,484 to $31,684 all in, about 4.0% to 8.1% of the sale price. That is a negotiable listing commission, an optional buyer agent concession, Michigan’s fixed transfer tax, and title and closing fees, line by line below. The model and sources are the same ones behind our statewide cost to sell a house in Michigan guide; the numbers here are computed at Royal Oak’s own market prices from our June Royal Oak housing market report.
What selling costs in Royal Oak at the June median
| Line item | Low end | High end | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listing agent commission (2.5% to 3%, negotiable) | $9,750 | $11,700 | Clever Feb 2026 MI survey; fully negotiable post NAR |
| Buyer agent concession (0% to 3%, optional) | $0 | $11,700 | NAR settlement rules (Aug 2024) |
| Michigan state transfer tax ($7.50 per $1,000) | $2,925 | $2,925 | MCL 207.525, seller pays |
| Oakland County transfer tax ($1.10 per $1,000) | $429 | $429 | MCL 207.504 |
| Owner’s title insurance (est. 0.5% to 1%) | $1,950 | $3,900 | Houzeo MI rate guide; get an exact quote |
| Settlement and closing fee | $400 | $1,000 | Houzeo and Clever estimates |
| Recording the mortgage discharge | $30 | $30 | Clever MI closing cost data |
| Total | ≈ $15,484 (4.0%) | ≈ $31,684 (8.1%) | computed at the June median |
Mortgage payoff is excluded: that is your loan balance, not a selling cost. Prep work (paint, staging, small repairs) ranges from $0 to five figures depending on the house, so no table can price it for you in advance.
Transfer tax on a Royal Oak sale
Michigan’s transfer tax is fixed by statute at $8.60 per $1,000 of sale price: $7.50 to the state under MCL 207.525 and $1.10 to Oakland County under MCL 207.504, and the seller pays it under MCL 207.523. On a $390,000 Royal Oak sale that is $3,354, collected when the deed records with the Oakland County Register of Deeds in Pontiac. The statute rounds the taxable amount up to the next $500 increment.
Commission in Royal Oak is negotiable, in writing
Michigan agents quoted an average total commission of 6.20% in Clever’s February 2026 survey, but since the NAR settlement took effect in August 2024 every commission is negotiable by law and disclosed in writing. In practice Royal Oak listing commissions commonly land between 2.5% and 3%. Ask any agent you interview to defend their fee with a marketing plan and net proceeds math; our guide to choosing a Royal Oak realtor covers exactly what to ask.
What Royal Oak’s market does to your selling costs
Royal Oak is one of the most liquid markets we track: 137 June sales at a 26 day median. Buyers see constant new inventory and compare fast, which means a sharply priced listing usually beats one that pads the price to cover selling costs. Downtown walkability keeps demand deep under $450,000. June numbers: 137 homes sold, 26 day median on market, median price up 8.2% year over year, per our Royal Oak market report.
Your estimated net at the June median
Sell at $390,000 and the model above leaves an estimated $358,316 to $374,516 before mortgage payoff. The single biggest swing is the buyer agent concession, worth up to $11,700: whether you offer one should be a pricing strategy decision made with live comps, not a default.
Selling for cash instead
If speed matters more than the last dollar, a direct cash offer trades some price for zero prep, zero showings, and a closing date you pick. We always show both numbers side by side so you can decide with the math in front of you: see how a cash offer compares to listing.
What is your Royal Oak home worth right now?
Every number above starts from the sale price, so the first real step is knowing yours. Request a free valuation built on closed Oakland County comps, no obligation.
What is your home worth? Get both numbers.
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Royal Oak selling cost FAQs
How much does it cost to sell a house in Royal Oak, Michigan?
At Royal Oak’s June 2026 median sale price of $390,000, plan on roughly $15,484 to $31,684 all in, or about 4.0% to 8.1% of the sale price. That covers a negotiable 2.5% to 3% listing commission, an optional buyer agent concession, Michigan’s $8.60 per $1,000 transfer tax, and title and closing fees. Mortgage payoff is separate.
How much is transfer tax on a $390,000 home in Royal Oak?
$3,354. Michigan charges $7.50 per $1,000 to the state ($2,925) plus $1.10 per $1,000 to Oakland County ($429), and the seller pays it by statute. The deed records with the Oakland County Register of Deeds in Pontiac.
Who pays the realtor commission in Royal Oak?
The seller pays their own listing commission, typically 2.5% to 3% and negotiable by law since the August 2024 NAR settlement. Whether you also offer compensation or a concession toward the buyer’s agent is now your choice, negotiated deal by deal rather than preset on the MLS.
Sources: MCL 207.525, 207.504 and 207.523 (legislature.mi.gov), Clever Real Estate Michigan commission and closing cost surveys (Feb and July 2026), Houzeo Michigan title insurance guide, and Realcomp MLS June 2026 sales via our Royal Oak market report. Computed August 17, 2026. Every figure is an estimate; your closing statement governs.