Skip to content
Slava Realty Group | The Agency One RockThe Agency One Rock

Selling in New Jersey

NJ seller closing costs

What it costs to sell a home in New Jersey: the transfer fee, the seller-paid 'mansion tax', and a calculator for your price.

By Slava Zborovsky · Updated

Since July 10, 2025, New Jersey sellers pay a Graduated Percent Fee of 1% to 3.5% of the entire price on sales over $1 million, on top of the Realty Transfer Fee. It replaced the 1% mansion tax buyers used to pay (P.L.2025, c.69, effective 2025-07-10).NJ Treasury notice

Realty Transfer FeeStandard rates, per $500 of price
$15,625
Mansion tax (Graduated Percent Fee)1% of the full price
$15,000
Paid by the seller at closing
$30,625

Mansion tax by sale price

  • $1,000,000 or lessNone
  • $1,000,001 to $2,000,0001% of the full price
  • $2,000,001 to $2,500,0002% of the full price
  • $2,500,001 to $3,000,0002.5% of the full price
  • $3,000,001 to $3,500,0003% of the full price
  • Over $3,500,0003.5% of the full price

Homes of 1 to 4 units, co-ops, farms with a house, and commercial property other than industrial or apartment buildings. Not charged when the buyer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Buyer and seller may agree in the contract to share it.

Excludes attorney fees, mortgage payoff, prorations and repairs. An estimate, not tax advice. More on the mansion tax: NJ mansion tax calculator.

Every cost a New Jersey seller pays

Real estate commission
Negotiable, and set in your listing agreement before the home goes on the market.
Realty Transfer Fee
The state's fee on every sale, paid when the deed is recorded; reduced rates apply to some sellers (see the questions below).
Graduated Percent Fee
Since July 10, 2025, sellers pay 1% to 3.5% of the entire price on sales over $1 million.
Seller's attorney
Attorney review, the deed and the closing. Fees vary by firm; ask for a quote up front.
Mortgage payoff and liens
Any mortgage, home equity line or other lien is paid off from the proceeds at closing.
Property tax and utility adjustments
Taxes and utilities are adjusted to the closing date on the settlement statement.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm certificate
Required before a one- or two-family home is sold, applied for through the town; the fee is set locally.
Repairs or credits
Whatever is agreed after the buyer's inspection.
Nonresident estimated tax (GIT/REP)
Sellers who are not New Jersey residents make an estimated income tax payment at closing.

At the typical home value in each town

TownState total

  • Alpine$134,805

    Typical value $3,262,000 · Transfer fee $36,945 · Graduated fee $97,860

  • Saddle River$75,542

    Typical value $2,432,000 · Transfer fee $26,902 · Graduated fee $48,640

  • Franklin Lakes$33,785

    Typical value $1,643,000 · Transfer fee $17,355 · Graduated fee $16,430

  • Upper Saddle River$29,741

    Typical value $1,460,000 · Transfer fee $15,141 · Graduated fee $14,600

  • Ho-Ho-Kus$27,597

    Typical value $1,363,000 · Transfer fee $13,967 · Graduated fee $13,630

  • Tenafly$26,868

    Typical value $1,330,000 · Transfer fee $13,568 · Graduated fee $13,300

  • Woodcliff Lake$25,785

    Typical value $1,281,000 · Transfer fee $12,975 · Graduated fee $12,810

  • Ridgewood$25,520

    Typical value $1,269,000 · Transfer fee $12,830 · Graduated fee $12,690

  • Old Tappan$25,078

    Typical value $1,249,000 · Transfer fee $12,588 · Graduated fee $12,490

  • Wyckoff$23,420

    Typical value $1,174,000 · Transfer fee $11,680 · Graduated fee $11,740

Typical values: Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026.

NJ seller closing cost questions

Who pays the mansion tax in New Jersey now?
Since July 10, 2025 the seller does. New Jersey replaced the buyer-paid 1% mansion tax with a seller-paid Graduated Percent Fee under P.L.2025, c.69. It applies to the entire sale price: 1% over $1 million, 2% over $2 million, 2.5% over $2.5 million, 3% over $3 million and 3.5% over $3.5 million.
How much is the realty transfer fee in New Jersey?
New Jersey's Realty Transfer Fee is paid by the seller when the deed is recorded. For sales over $350,000 it is charged per $500 of the price in tiers: $2.90 up to $150,000, $4.25 to $200,000, $4.80 to $550,000, $5.30 to $850,000, $5.80 to $1 million and $6.05 above $1 million. A $1 million sale pays about $9,575. Reduced rates apply to qualifying senior, blind, disabled and low/moderate-income sellers.
How long is attorney review in New Jersey?
Three business days. Under N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.2, contracts prepared by real estate licensees for 1-4 family homes include an attorney review clause; either side's attorney may disapprove within three days, not counting weekends and legal holidays, starting when both parties have the signed contract.
Who qualifies for a reduced realty transfer fee in New Jersey?
New Jersey allows a partial exemption from the Realty Transfer Fee for sales by senior citizens, blind or disabled persons, low- and moderate-income housing and new construction, and full exemptions for a list of specific transfers. The exemption is claimed on the Affidavit of Consideration (Form RTF-1) filed with the deed; your attorney confirms whether you qualify. The calculator above shows the reduced rate.
Do I need a smoke detector certificate to sell a house in New Jersey?
Yes. Before a one- or two-family home is sold, the seller needs a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate, applied for through the town. In homes built before 1977, battery-powered smoke alarms must be 10-year sealed-battery units, a Division of Fire Safety rule in effect since January 1, 2019. Fees and inspection timing are set by each town, so apply a few weeks before closing.
Do nonresidents pay tax when selling a house in New Jersey?
Nonresident individuals, estates and trusts make an estimated New Jersey income tax payment at closing (GIT/REP): 10.75% of the gain, but not less than 2% of the sale price, even with no gain. Any excess is refunded when they file a New Jersey nonresident return. New Jersey residents certify residency instead.
Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my home?
Most homeowners can exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly) on a main home they owned and lived in for at least 24 of the last 60 months, under IRS Publication 523. Gains above that, second homes and investment property are taxed differently; ask your accountant.

Find out what your home would net

Get home value