Most Temecula home sellers net approximately 92-94% of their final sale price after agent commissions, Riverside County transfer tax ($1.10 per $1,000), owner's title insurance, escrow fees, and other closing costs. On a $724,500 home — Temecula's median sale price in July 2026 — that works out to roughly $678,000-$680,000 in gross proceeds before your mortgage payoff. Your exact number depends on how much you still owe, what buyer's agent concession you choose to offer, and whether your home has an HOA or Mello-Roos that factors into the negotiation.

By Justin Short | July 22, 2026

This is almost always the first real question sellers ask me — not "what's my home worth," but "what am I actually going to walk away with?" Those two numbers aren't the same thing, and the gap between them tends to catch people off guard.

Your home might be worth $750,000 on paper. But by the time Riverside County takes its transfer tax, escrow fees are split, title insurance is paid, commissions come out, and your HOA sends over its resale package — you're working with a meaningfully different number. Let me show you exactly how it breaks down for Temecula sellers in 2026.

WHAT SELLERS PAY AT CLOSING IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY

California is an escrow state, meaning a neutral third party manages the exchange of funds and documents between you and the buyer. In Southern California, it's also customary for the seller — not the buyer — to pay owner's title insurance. That surprises a lot of people who've bought and sold in other states.

Here's what goes on the seller's side of the ledger:

Agent commission. This is the biggest line item. Following the 2024 NAR settlement, commissions are fully negotiable — there's no standard rate. A typical listing agent fee in Temecula runs around 2.73% of the sale price. Separately, you can choose whether to offer a buyer's agent concession and, if so, how much. Most Temecula sellers still offer something (commonly 2-2.5%) to attract financed buyers, but this is a strategic conversation to have with your agent before you list.

Riverside County documentary transfer tax. The county charges $1.10 per $1,000 of sale price. Temecula doesn't layer on a city-level transfer tax, unlike some California cities. On a $724,500 sale, that's about $797. On a $900,000 sale, it's around $990.

Owner's title insurance. Seller-paid in Southern California by custom. Budget roughly 0.5%-1% of the purchase price. On a $724,500 home, that's approximately $3,600-$7,200 depending on the title company and policy type.

Escrow fee. The total escrow fee is typically split 50/50 between buyer and seller. Your half will usually run $1,500-$2,500 depending on the sale price and company. I work with Escrow Edge regularly — they're a local company I've found to be reliable and communicative — though you're never required to use any specific escrow firm.

Natural hazard disclosure report. California law requires sellers to provide an NHD report disclosing whether the property sits in a fire zone, flood zone, earthquake zone, or other designated hazard area. Ordered through a third-party provider, it typically costs $100-$200.

Recording fee. The county records the deed transfer. Usually $15-$100.

HOA fees. About 60% of Temecula homes are in a homeowners association. If yours is, expect an HOA transfer fee ($200-$600) and a resale certificate and demand package ($200-$500 additional). These documents are required by the buyer's lender and detail the HOA's finances, rules, and any existing liens.

Property tax proration. You'll owe property taxes through your closing date. Depending on where you are in the tax cycle, this appears as either a credit or a charge — your escrow officer calculates it at closing.

A REAL NET SHEET: THE $724,500 EXAMPLE

Here's what the numbers look like using Temecula's current median sale price, assuming no mortgage payoff and a 2.5% buyer's agent concession:

- Sale price: $724,500

- Listing agent commission (2.73%): -$19,779

- Buyer's agent concession (2.5%): -$18,113

- Transfer tax ($1.10 per $1,000): -$797

- Owner's title insurance (est. 0.6%): -$4,347

- Escrow fee (seller's half): -$1,800

- Natural hazard disclosure: -$150

- HOA transfer and resale package: -$600

- Recording fee: -$75

- Total deductions: -$45,661

- Estimated gross proceeds: approximately $678,839

That's your gross net before any mortgage payoff. If you still owe $350,000 on your mortgage, your take-home in this example is roughly $328,000. The payoff balance is the number that makes the biggest practical difference in what you actually walk away with.

YOUR MORTGAGE PAYOFF IS THE BIGGEST VARIABLE

Every seller's situation is different, and the most important number in your net calculation is what you still owe on your mortgage. Your lender will provide a formal payoff statement showing your remaining principal balance, accrued interest through the payoff date, and sometimes a small prepayment fee depending on your loan terms.

This is also where sellers who bought three to seven years ago often get a pleasant surprise. Temecula home values have appreciated significantly since 2019, and the combination of price appreciation and years of principal paydown leaves many homeowners with more equity than they expected.

If you've been watching your Zestimate tick up and wondering what that actually means for your real bottom line — a personalized net sheet puts a concrete number on it.

TEMECULA-SPECIFIC COSTS TO PLAN FOR

A few things that come up regularly with sellers in this market:

Mello-Roos and CFD assessments. If your home is in Sommers Bend, Morgan Hill, Roripaugh Ranch, Lake Harveston, or certain newer communities in Menifee, you likely have a Community Facilities District assessment on top of your base property tax. Sommers Bend runs $3,300-$3,700 per year. Lake Harveston runs $1,800-$2,000. Roripaugh Ranch is around $1,900. You're required to disclose these through your Transfer Disclosure Statement and Seller Property Questionnaire. Buyers will ask about the annual amount — and it often comes up in price negotiations — so know your number before you start talking list price.

Seller credits. In Temecula right now, about 45% of buyers are negotiating seller-paid credits — either toward their closing costs or to address items found in the inspection. If you factor that possibility in from the beginning, you're less likely to be caught off guard when an offer comes in with a credit request. Credits reduce your net, so build some buffer into your target.

Price reductions. The current market data shows that 33.5% of Temecula sellers are cutting their list price before sale, by an average of $31,000. That's a meaningful number. Getting ahead of this — through smarter initial pricing, stronger listing photos, or targeted pre-listing prep — is almost always worth more than trying to recover from a listing that's been sitting 45 days.

Capital gains taxes. This one deserves a conversation with your CPA, not just a blog post — but here's the short version. If you've lived in your Temecula home as your primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years, you can exclude up to $250,000 in profit (single filer) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) from federal capital gains tax. Any gain above that exclusion is taxable. California taxes capital gains as ordinary income — up to 13.3% at the highest state rate. If your equity has grown significantly, a conversation with your CPA before you list — not after you close — is time well spent.

GETTING YOUR ACTUAL NUMBER

The 92-94% range I gave at the top of this post is a starting point, not your number. Your actual net depends on your specific commission agreement, your HOA situation, the buyer's agent concession you offer, your current mortgage payoff balance, and what the market is doing at the moment you list.

I run a personalized seller net sheet for every client before we talk about anything else — before pricing strategy, before prep, before any of it. It takes about 15 minutes of conversation and gives you a clear picture of what you'd actually walk away with in your specific situation. That's the foundation for making a good decision about whether — and when — to sell.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who pays closing costs when selling a home in California?

In California, closing costs are split between buyer and seller, but sellers carry a larger share. Sellers typically pay agent commissions, owner's title insurance (Southern California custom), the Riverside County transfer tax ($1.10 per $1,000), their half of escrow fees, the natural hazard disclosure report, and any HOA-related fees. Total seller-paid costs typically run 6-8% of the sale price, with agent commissions making up the largest portion.

Is agent commission negotiable in California in 2026?

Yes — commissions are fully negotiable following the 2024 NAR settlement. There's no standard rate. Listing agent fees, buyer's agent concessions, and whether to offer a buyer's agent concession at all are all matters to negotiate with your agent. Most Temecula sellers still offer some buyer's agent concession to attract financed buyers, but the amount and structure are up to you.

What is the transfer tax on a home sale in Riverside County?

Riverside County charges a documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of sale price. On a $724,500 home, that's approximately $797. On a $1,000,000 home, it's $1,100. Temecula does not add a city-level transfer tax on top of the county rate, unlike some California cities such as Los Angeles.

Do I have to pay HOA fees when I sell my home in Temecula?

If your home is in an HOA — and about 60% of Temecula homes are — you'll need to pay the HOA transfer fee ($200-$600) and the cost of a resale certificate and demand package ($200-$500 additional). HOA dues must also be paid current through the closing date. Any unpaid assessments or liens are typically resolved through escrow.

Does capital gains tax apply when I sell my Temecula home?

It depends on your situation. If the home has been your primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years, you can exclude up to $250,000 in profit (single filer) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) from federal capital gains tax. California taxes any gains above that exclusion as ordinary income — up to 13.3% at the state's highest rate. If your equity has grown significantly, a conversation with your CPA before you close is worth the time.

Your net proceeds number tells you whether now is the right time to sell, what list price makes sense for your goals, and whether you can afford the move you're planning. It's the number that makes everything else real.

If you're thinking about what your Temecula home could net — whether you're ready to list soon or still just running the numbers — I offer a private, no-pressure listing consultation. No obligation, just a real conversation about your home's value and what you'd walk away with. Reach out and let's talk it through.

About Justin Short

Justin Short is a local real estate agent who has lived in Temecula for over 25 years. A long-time top agent in the Temecula Valley, he has earned hundreds of 5-star reviews online helping buyers and sellers navigate the market with confidence.