Answer
What are total seller closing costs on an LA apartment sale?
Plan for roughly 5–6% of sale price all-in: broker commission (typically 4–5%, split with the buyer's broker), LA City and County transfer taxes (Measure ULA applies above the current threshold — verify with escrow), title and escrow fees, and prorations. Escrow provides a line-item estimate before you sign.
Key takeaways
- Budget 5–6% of gross sale price for total seller closing costs.
- Broker commission (typically 4–5%, shared with the buyer's broker) is the largest line.
- City-of-LA sales above the ULA threshold add 4–5.5% of gross price.
- Title, escrow, county documentary transfer tax, and prorations round out the rest.
- Escrow issues a line-item estimated settlement statement before you sign anything.
The biggest single line
Broker commission. It's typically the largest closing cost — but a specialist broker justifies it many times over through pricing and buyer selection.
What surprises sellers
Measure ULA on City-of-LA sales above the threshold. It's material — a $6M sale can owe well over $200K in ULA alone. Confirm rate and threshold with escrow before pricing.
Typical seller closing cost lines
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broker commission | 4–5% of price | Split with the buyer's broker |
| Measure ULA | 0–5.5% of price | City of LA only, above threshold |
| County documentary transfer tax | $1.10 per $1,000 | Countywide |
| Title & escrow | ~0.3–0.6% | Varies by price and title company |
| Prorations & credits | Varies | Taxes, rents, security deposits |
Local context
Net proceeds differ sharply across Cameron's coverage area. A South Bay or Long Beach sale avoids Measure ULA entirely, while an identically priced City-of-LA building can lose several hundred thousand dollars to it. We run a net-sheet for every listing before pricing.
Related questions
Who pays the buyer's broker on an apartment sale?
In LA multifamily, the seller typically pays a total commission that is split between the listing broker and the buyer's broker. The split is negotiated in the listing agreement.
Do sellers pay for tenant security deposits at closing?
Security deposits are credited to the buyer at closing since the buyer assumes the obligation to return them. It is a credit, not an out-of-pocket cost.
Can closing costs be negotiated?
Commission, title company selection, and who pays specific escrow fees are all negotiable. Transfer taxes and ULA are not.
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