Selling in the DC–Maryland–Virginia area comes down to three things: pricing it right, preparing it well, and marketing it to the buyers most likely to pay a premium. What it costs depends on the jurisdiction — agent commission, state and county transfer and recordation taxes, settlement fees, and prep. Below are the questions Kelly Balmer's sellers ask most, including what it really costs to sell in Montgomery County.
Want the full playbook? See Kelly's step-by-step seller's guide, or get a personally prepared home valuation.
Selling costs generally fall into a few buckets: the real estate commission, government transfer and recordation taxes, settlement and title fees, any agreed buyer credits, and the prep you choose to invest in (repairs, staging, photography). Transfer and recordation taxes in particular vary by jurisdiction and are often split between buyer and seller by contract. The cleanest way to know your number is a seller net sheet — ask Kelly for one tailored to your home.
In Montgomery County, both Maryland state and county transfer and recordation taxes apply, on top of the commission, settlement fees and prep. How those taxes are split between buyer and seller is negotiated in the contract. Because the figures depend on your sale price and terms, Kelly prepares a customized net sheet so you see your estimated proceeds before you list.
Online estimates are a starting point, but they're algorithms working from incomplete data — they don't walk your home or know your block. A real valuation weighs your home's condition and features against what's genuinely comparable and selling right now. Kelly prepares a custom valuation personally, usually within 24 hours. Request one here.
The highest-return prep is usually the least glamorous: declutter and depersonalize, handle small repairs and fresh paint, deep-clean, and invest in professional photography (and often staging). The goal is to help buyers picture themselves living there. Kelly advises on exactly which improvements are worth it for your home — and which aren't — before a dollar is spent.
It depends on price, condition, location and the market, but well-prepared, well-priced homes tend to sell faster and closer to asking. After you accept an offer, a typical financed sale takes roughly 30 to 45 days to reach settlement. Kelly builds a timeline around your goals — whether speed or top dollar matters most.
Both paths have trade-offs. Selling first gives you certainty on proceeds but may mean an interim move; buying first is convenient but carries the risk of two homes at once. Bridge financing and sale contingencies can help. The right answer depends on your finances and risk tolerance — Kelly helps clients weigh it honestly.
Transfer and recordation taxes, required disclosures, standard contracts, and customary cost splits all differ across the District, Maryland and Virginia. Those differences affect both your net proceeds and how a deal is structured. Because Kelly is licensed in all three, she'll make sure your sale follows the right rules for where your home is.
A good listing agent earns their fee through pricing precision, marketing reach, negotiation, and managing a complex transaction so it actually closes. Homes sold without an agent often net less after accounting for mispricing and weaker exposure. Kelly handles every listing personally, with the marketing and negotiation experience of $130M+ sold.
Kelly prepares a custom valuation personally — usually within 24 hours. No obligation, no pressure.