When purchasing or selling property, buyers often underestimate how much taxes and fees can add to the final bill. In some countries, buying costs can reach nearly 20% of the property’s sale price.
To help investors and homeowners plan ahead, we track the average transaction costs for real estate deals in 80+ countries. The figures are broken down into:
- Buying Costs – includes transfer taxes, stamp duties, notary fees, registration fees, and typical agent commissions paid by the buyer.
- Selling Costs – includes real estate agent commissions (seller’s share), legal fees, and any taxes specifically charged to the seller on the transaction.
- Roundtrip Costs – the total cost of buying and then selling a property, expressed as a percentage of the property value.
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Methodology
Our estimates are based on average national figures from official sources and property law references. Where fees vary by region, property type or buyer type, we use the most common range for residential transactions. The data is updated annually.
Important Note
Every property deal is unique. Transaction costs may vary depending on location, property value, negotiation, and legal structure. We recommend using this data as a benchmark only, and consulting a qualified local attorney for specific tax and legal advice
Sources
Global Property Guide Research, with inputs from local real estate agents, government agencies, World Bank Doing Business, PwC, and Deloitte.
