What's My Net or Bottom Line? (Michigan Seller Net Sheet Guide)

What’s my bottom line?

This is a common question for sellers before and when they get an offer.  In most all real estate deals the seller is responsible for:

1. Transfer tax on deed: This is 8.60 / 1,000 of sales price. So, for example, on $100,000 it’s $860.

2. Title insurance:  Sellers must provide clear title and an “Owners policy” for purchase. This is true even if you just bought the home and had title done. Seller has to provide title to the buyer. This is a set rate per thousand by Michigan law. We love and use  Liberty Title. They have offices throughout the state and provide amazing services.

3. Commission: If there is a buyer’s agent then that fee, typically 2.5% to 3% is not negotiable and paid from your proceeds at closing.

If you have a prior title policy less than 2 years old you can turn it in for a partial credit too.

Here is a helpful link, the sellers net. This will give you a pretty close idea of what your bottom line is after selling.

Thank you,
Jeff Kermath
“Flat Fee Jeff”

Michigan Title Insurance Guide & Closing Cost Calculator

Title insurance on a real estate transaction – a must have!  

Kermath Realty LLC has partnered with Liberty Title to provide you with the best service and pricing for title!

What is Title Insurance?  Title shows & verifies who the owner / deedholder of record is. It is a history of the property to verify current owner and any outstanding liens or encumbrances like mortgages, IRS liens perhaps and anything else that could effect the title.

Why do I need it as a seller?   As a seller it is incumbent on you to provide clear title to the buyer.  This is typically a sellers expense at closing.

How much does title cost & when is it paid for? Title insurnace is a set rate per thousand and is regulated by the state. Therefore the cost should be similar regardless of the company you choose. Service and smooth closings (with no delays) is critical to the success of your home sale though.  For years we have enjoyed using Liberty Title as our partner. See Liberty Title here.  You can get an idea of cost here too with Liberty’s calculator.

How does title work?  Basically, the title company acts like a big pot. Title can be ordered at the time of listing (pre title) or after the offer comes in. As we approach closing, the title company acts like a big pot. Everyone dumps their stuff in the pot. The buyer will put their down payment in, lender will put the loan proceeds in, seller will put their payoff in. A few days prior to closing the title company will produce the closing statement for everyone to review and verify the numbers.

Do I have to pay title up front? No. Again, everything is paid at closing.  Remember, the title company acts like a big pot. Everyone places their “stuff” in it and the title company produces the ” Closing Disclosure” or closing statement a few days prior to closing to verify the numbers are correct. This way you as seller know your bottom line before you go into the closing.

What if I have an offer and it doesn’t close?  No problem, you are not charged for title as we can use it for the next offer.

Am I obligated to use Liberty title?  No. As a seller you’re free to choose any title company you wish. However, after 6,654 listings (as of October 2026) and thousands of closed deals it’s nice to know Liberty Title has our back, provides great service and at a competitive price.  When it comes time to close, the last thing we want is to have issues. Lliberty Title works hard to resolv any last minute issues and close the deal smoothly.

Thank you,
Jeff Kermath
broker / owner

Mortgages & Buyer Pre-Approvals in Michigan