How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Connecticut?

Quick answer: When you sell a house in Connecticut, your main costs are usually the real estate commission (which is negotiable), the state conveyance tax of 0.75 percent on the first $800,000 of the price, a municipal conveyance tax of 0.25 percent in most towns (up to 0.5 percent in some cities), your attorney's fee, a property tax credit to the buyer at closing, and any repairs or credits you agree to after inspection. On a $350,000 sale in a town with the 0.25 percent municipal rate, the conveyance taxes alone come to about $3,500. Your attorney prepares the exact numbers before closing.

I'm Rachel Natal, a Realtor licensed in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and right now I'm especially focused on helping Connecticut buyers and sellers make clear, confident decisions. Sellers ask me this question all the time, usually right after they find out what the house might sell for. Here is the honest breakdown.

What costs does a Connecticut home seller pay?

Most sellers in Connecticut should plan for some or all of these:

• Real estate commission for the listing side, and possibly the buyer's agent if you agree to it
• State conveyance tax on the sale price
• Municipal conveyance tax to your town or city
• Your real estate attorney's fee
• A property tax credit to the buyer at closing
• Your mortgage payoff and any home equity loan or line of credit
• Repairs or credits you agree to after the buyer's inspection
• Prep costs before listing, like painting, cleaning, small repairs and photos
• Final utility and association bills, if you have them

Your mortgage payoff is not really a selling cost, but it comes out of your proceeds at closing, so it belongs in your math.

How much is the Connecticut conveyance tax?

Connecticut charges a state real estate conveyance tax when a property sells, and the seller usually pays it. For a residential home, the state rates are:

• 0.75 percent on the portion of the price up to $800,000
• 1.25 percent on the portion from $800,000 to $2.5 million
• 2.25 percent on the portion above $2.5 million

On top of that, there is a municipal conveyance tax. The base municipal rate is 0.25 percent. A group of cities and towns, including Hartford, New Britain, East Hartford, Bloomfield, Bristol, Southington, Hamden, Meriden and New Haven, are allowed to charge up to an additional 0.25 percent, for a maximum of 0.5 percent. Not every eligible town charges the full extra amount, so ask your attorney to confirm your town's current rate.

Here is what that looks like on a $350,000 sale:

• State tax at 0.75 percent: $2,625
• Municipal tax at 0.25 percent: $875
• Total in a 0.25 percent town: $3,500
• Total in a 0.5 percent town: $4,375

Do Connecticut sellers pay the real estate commission?

Commissions are not set by law. They are negotiable between you and the brokerage you hire, and you should get the terms in writing in your listing agreement.

Since August 2024, after the national real estate settlement, buyers sign written agreements with their own agents that spell out how their agent gets paid. As a seller, you decide whether to offer any compensation to a buyer's agent, and buyers can also ask for it in their offer. I always walk sellers through the options and what is common in their price range so they can make that choice with clear eyes.

Why do Connecticut sellers give the buyer a property tax credit?

In most Connecticut towns, property taxes are paid in arrears, which means the bill you pay covers time you have already owned the home. At closing, the attorneys figure out how much tax has built up for the time you owned the house and has not been paid yet, and the seller usually credits that amount to the buyer.

That credit can be a real number, especially in towns with a higher mill rate. If you want to understand how your tax bill is calculated, I explain it in how Connecticut mill rates and property taxes work.

Do you need a real estate attorney to sell a house in Connecticut?

Connecticut closings are handled by attorneys, and most sellers hire their own attorney to review the contract, order the payoff, prepare the deed and conveyance tax forms, and handle the closing. Fees vary, so ask for a quote early and add it to your net sheet. If you want to see what the attorney does on the buying side, here is my post on what a Connecticut real estate attorney does.

What paperwork do Connecticut sellers have to give buyers?

Most Connecticut sellers have to fill out the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Report and give it to the buyer before the buyer signs a purchase contract. If the seller does not provide it, the law requires a credit to the buyer at closing, and your attorney can tell you the current amount.

Since July 1, 2025, the form also asks about flood risk, including whether the property is in a FEMA flood zone, whether there is flood insurance or an elevation certificate, and whether there has been water getting into any building on the property while you owned it. Answer honestly and completely. It protects you and it builds trust with buyers.

What other costs should Connecticut sellers plan for?

• Inspection repairs or credits. Buyers often ask for repairs or a credit after the home inspection. Planning a little cushion for this keeps you calm when the request comes in.
• Getting the house ready. Paint, deep cleaning, decluttering, landscaping and small fixes usually cost far less than a price reduction. My checklist on preparing your Greater Hartford home for sale is a good place to start.
• Moving and overlap. Movers, storage, and sometimes a month of paying for two places.
• Final bills. Water, sewer use and any condo or association charges get settled at or before closing.

Will I owe capital gains tax when I sell my Connecticut home?

Many homeowners do not. Under IRS rules, if you owned and lived in the home as your main home for at least two of the five years before the sale, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or up to $500,000 if you are married filing jointly. There are exceptions, so please check your situation with a tax professional before you list.

How can I estimate what I will walk away with?

1. Start with a realistic sale price based on recent nearby sales, not online estimates alone.
2. Subtract your mortgage payoff and any home equity loan.
3. Subtract commission, state and municipal conveyance taxes, and your attorney's fee.
4. Subtract an estimate of the property tax credit to the buyer.
5. Leave a cushion for inspection repairs or credits.
6. Subtract what you plan to spend getting the home ready.

What is left is a rough estimate of your net proceeds. I'm happy to put this together with you for your specific home, with no obligation to list.

Frequently asked questions about the cost of selling a house in Connecticut

What is the Connecticut conveyance tax rate for sellers?

For a residential home, the state rate is 0.75 percent on the first $800,000, 1.25 percent on the portion from $800,000 to $2.5 million, and 2.25 percent above $2.5 million. Most towns add a 0.25 percent municipal tax, and some cities can charge up to 0.5 percent.

How much conveyance tax will I pay on a $350,000 home in Connecticut?

About $3,500 in a town with the 0.25 percent municipal rate ($2,625 state plus $875 municipal), or about $4,375 in a town that charges the full 0.5 percent municipal rate.

Who pays the conveyance tax in Connecticut, the buyer or the seller?

The seller usually pays the Connecticut conveyance tax, and it is paid at closing when the deed is recorded.

Are real estate commissions set by law in Connecticut?

No. Commissions are negotiable between the seller and the brokerage, and the terms should be in writing in your listing agreement.

Why does the seller give the buyer a tax credit at closing in Connecticut?

In most Connecticut towns property taxes are paid in arrears, so at closing the seller usually credits the buyer for taxes that built up during the seller's ownership and have not been paid yet.

Do I need an attorney to sell my house in Connecticut?

Connecticut closings are handled by attorneys, and most sellers hire their own attorney to review the contract, prepare the deed and conveyance tax forms, and handle the closing.

Do Connecticut sellers have to disclose flooding?

Yes. Since July 1, 2025, the Connecticut Residential Property Condition Disclosure Report includes flood questions, such as whether the home is in a FEMA flood zone, whether there is flood insurance, and whether water has gotten into any building during your ownership.

Will I pay capital gains tax when I sell my home in Connecticut?

Possibly not. The IRS lets many owners exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly, if they owned and lived in the home for at least two of the last five years. Check with a tax professional for your situation.

Want to know what you would actually walk away with?

If you are thinking about selling in Connecticut, now or next year, message me "CT" and I'll help you estimate your net proceeds and what is worth fixing before you list. No pressure, just clear numbers.

Rachel Natal, Realtor
Real Broker LLC | Licensed in Connecticut and Massachusetts
100 Pearl St, Hartford, CT 06103

Facts checked October 2026. Sources: CT Department of Revenue Services, Real Estate Conveyance Tax Change; CT Office of Legislative Research report 2020-R-0020, Real Estate Conveyance Tax; UConn Center for Real Estate 2025 Connecticut Legislative Update (Public Act 25-33); IRS Topic 701, Sale of Your Home.

This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Tax rates, laws and costs change, so please confirm the details for your sale with your real estate attorney and a tax professional.