The True Cost of Selling a Home in Redlands, CA
Commissions, Closing Costs, Repairs, and Everything Sellers Need to Know in 2026
By Cristina Caministeanu | REALTOR® & Branch Manager | eXp Realty of California | CA DRE# 01304425
909.213.8565 | [email protected] | redlandsrealestatepros.com
If you're thinking about selling your home in Redlands, CA, you already know one number: your asking price.
But the number that actually changes your financial future is your net proceeds — what lands in your bank account after closing.
Those two numbers can be very different.
I'm Cristina Caministeanu, a REALTOR® with 25 years of experience and over 1,000 homes sold across San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties. I've watched sellers walk into closings expecting one number and leaving with something very different — not because they were misled, but because nobody sat down and showed them the full picture before they listed.
This post does exactly that. Here is a clear, honest breakdown of every cost involved in selling a home in Redlands, CA in 2026 — so you can plan ahead and walk away with as much money as possible.
What Does It Actually Cost to Sell a Home in Redlands, CA?
On a $700,000 home — close to the current Redlands median — sellers typically net between $615,000 and $645,000 after all selling costs. The gap between your sale price and your net proceeds comes from six major cost categories.
Let's break them all down.
1. Real Estate Commission
This is the single largest cost of selling — and the most misunderstood.
In California, commission is negotiable. In the Inland Empire market, sellers typically see total commission ranging from 5% to 6% of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent.
On a $700,000 Redlands home, that's $35,000 to $42,000.
Commission is not just a fee — it's an investment. A skilled listing agent brings professional marketing, expert pricing, negotiation strategy, and a buyer network that a discount agent simply cannot match. Saving 1% on commission and netting 3% less on your sale price is not a win.
As the founder of Reveal Home Staging, I include professional home staging complimentary for every seller I represent. Staging alone can increase your perceived value by thousands of dollars — and it costs my clients nothing. That is part of what your commission pays for.
2. Seller Concessions
In today's Redlands real estate market, buyers are negotiating. With homes averaging 48 to 77 days on market and selling at roughly 98% of list price, concessions are common.
Typical seller concessions include:
Buyer closing cost credits — buyers commonly request 1% to 3% of the purchase price
Interest rate buydown contributions to help buyers qualify for financing
Repair credits following the home inspection
Home warranty policies, which typically run $500 to $700
Budget $7,000 to $21,000 for potential concessions on a $700,000 sale. Strong pricing strategy and staging reduce buyer leverage and minimize what you give away.
3. Closing Costs Paid by the Seller in California
Sellers in California carry their own set of closing costs beyond commission. Here is what to expect.
Documentary Transfer Tax
California charges $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price. On a $700,000 home, that is $770. Redlands does not impose an additional city-level transfer tax — but always confirm with your escrow officer.
Escrow Fees
In San Bernardino County, sellers typically pay half the escrow fee. Expect $1,500 to $2,500 depending on your escrow company and sale price.
Owner's Title Insurance Policy
Sellers in California customarily provide the buyer with an owner's title insurance policy. Budget $1,500 to $2,500 on a $700,000 transaction.
HOA Transfer and Document Fees
Many Redlands properties are part of homeowners associations. Transfer fees, resale certificates, and document preparation fees typically run $200 to $800. Ask your HOA management company for their specific fee schedule before you list.
Prorated Property Taxes
You owe property taxes through your closing date. Escrow calculates this automatically — just know it appears on your closing statement.
4. Pre-Sale Repairs and Home Preparation
This is where sellers have the most control — and the most opportunity to either protect or lose money.
Not every repair pays off. Strategic pre-sale preparation is about investing where buyers notice and skipping what they don't.
What typically generates strong return on investment:
Fresh interior paint in neutral, on-trend tones
Landscaping and curb appeal — first impressions drive offers
Deep cleaning and decluttering — always the highest ROI item
Professional home staging — included complimentary with my listing services
Minor kitchen and bathroom updates: hardware, fixtures, lighting
What to discuss with your REALTOR before spending money on:
Full kitchen remodels — rarely recouped in resale
New flooring throughout — depends heavily on condition and price point
Pool repair vs. credit — Redlands buyers often prefer a negotiated credit
Full roof replacement — a repair credit or price adjustment may be more strategic
Before we list any home, I walk sellers room by room and identify exactly where to spend and where to save. Every dollar should be a strategic decision — not a reaction to anxiety about what buyers might say.
Budget range for pre-sale preparation: $2,000 to $15,000, depending on your home's current condition and price point.
5. Your Mortgage Payoff Balance
This is not a selling cost in the traditional sense, but it is the largest single line item on your closing statement.
Before we list, I always recommend pulling a payoff statement directly from your lender. Your payoff amount includes your remaining principal plus accrued interest through the projected closing date.
If your loan has a prepayment penalty clause, this is the time to know — not at the closing table.
6. Capital Gains Tax Considerations
This one surprises more sellers than anything else.
If you have lived in your Redlands home as your primary residence for at least two of the past five years, federal law allows you to exclude up to $250,000 in capital gains from taxation — or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly.
If your home has appreciated significantly over the past decade — which many Redlands and Inland Empire properties have — any gains beyond that exclusion are taxable.
I am not a tax advisor, but I will always connect you with a trusted CPA before we list so you have a complete financial picture going in.
Quick Reference: Estimated Selling Costs on a $700,000 Redlands Home
Real Estate Commission (5–6%): $35,000 – $42,000
Seller Concessions (1–3%): $7,000 – $21,000
Escrow, Title, Transfer Tax: $4,000 – $6,000
Pre-Sale Repairs and Staging Prep: $2,000 – $15,000
HOA Transfer Fees (if applicable): $200 – $800
Home Warranty (if offered): $500 – $700
Estimated Total Selling Costs: $48,700 – $85,500
Every home is different. Your actual costs depend on your specific property, condition, HOA, loan balance, and how aggressively we negotiate on your behalf.
How to Keep More Money From Your Redlands Home Sale
Here is what I tell every seller I work with:
Price it right from day one. Overpricing creates price reductions, longer days on market, and weaker final offers. It is the single most expensive mistake sellers make in the Redlands market.
Stage before you list. Staged homes consistently sell faster and for higher prices. I provide Reveal Home Staging complimentary — no excuses not to use it.
Get ahead of inspection surprises. Deferred maintenance gives buyers negotiating power. Address the obvious issues before they find them.
Know your net sheet before you sign anything. I prepare a personalized net sheet for every seller before we list — so there are zero surprises at the closing table.
Choose your REALTOR based on results, not commission savings. The right agent earns back far more than any commission difference through pricing, marketing, and negotiation.
Every seller I work with receives a personalized net sheet before we list. You will know exactly what to expect at closing before the sign goes in the yard. No surprises. No guesswork.
Ready to Find Out What Your Redlands Home Is Worth — and What You Will Net?
Don't guess. Let's sit down and run the real numbers.
I will give you an honest breakdown of your home's current market value, your projected net proceeds, and a tailored marketing strategy to sell your home for the most money possible in today's Redlands real estate market.
Whether you are in Redlands, Loma Linda, Highland, East Highlands Ranch, Mentone, Beaumont, Yucaipa, or anywhere across the Inland Empire — I have the experience, the marketing tools, and the staging resources to get you there.
Call or text: 909.213.8565
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://inlandempirehomelink.com/
Staging: stagedbyreveal.com
Cristina Caministeanu | REALTOR® & Branch Manager | eXp Realty of California | CA DRE# 01304425
4X ICON Agent | Top 1% Producer | 25+ Years Experience | 1,000+ Homes Sold
Serving Redlands, Loma Linda, Highland, East Highlands Ranch, Mentone, Beaumont, Yucaipa, and the greater Inland Empire
Founder & CEO, Reveal Home Staging | stagedbyreveal.com | Complimentary Staging for All Seller Clients
