How much does it cost to sell a house in Arizona? Your biggest costs are usually the brokerage compensation you negotiate, the owner's title insurance policy (customarily seller-paid in Arizona), half the escrow and recording fees, prorated property taxes and HOA dues, HOA transfer and disclosure fees, and anything you agree to cover for the buyer. What you won't pay is a state real estate transfer tax, because Arizona doesn't have one.
The only transfer-related charge is a $2 fee the county recorder collects on a deed. It's already included in the $30 recording fee. Everything else is either set by contract or negotiable, which means a good net sheet beats any rule of thumb.
Data note: Fee rules come from the Arizona Constitution, Arizona Revised Statutes and the Arizona Association of REALTORS resale contract. Tax rules come from the IRS and the Arizona Department of Revenue. Market figures are Phoenix REALTORS/ShowingTime September 2026 data. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Who Pays What on a Typical Arizona Resale
These are the defaults in the standard AAR Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract. Buyer and seller can agree to change them.
- Owner's title insurance policy: seller pays and provides it to the buyer
- Lender's title policy: buyer pays, if the buyer is financing
- Escrow fees and recording fees: split equally
- Property taxes, HOA dues and similar items: prorated between buyer and seller as of the date the contract specifies
- Brokerage compensation: "not set by law," in the contract's words, and "fully negotiated between broker and client"
- Home warranty: optional; the contract lets the parties choose who orders it, or decline it
State and County Charges
- Transfer tax: none. Article IX, Section 24 of the Arizona Constitution bars new taxes or fees on real property transfers, apart from charges that existed on December 31, 2007.
- Deed transfer fee: $2 (A.R.S. 11-1132), included in the recording fee
- Recording fee: $30 per document (A.R.S. 11-475)
- Affidavit of Property Value: required with the deed (A.R.S. 11-1133); buyer and seller, or their agents, sign it
HOA Fees When You Sell
If your home is in an association, Arizona law limits what the HOA can charge for the paperwork (A.R.S. 33-1806):
- Resale disclosure, lien estoppel and related transfer services: up to $400 in aggregate
- Rush service (within 72 hours): up to $100 more
- Updated report (after 30 days): up to $50
The disclosure must also list any title transfer or similar fee authorized in the declaration. Pull your CC&Rs early so that number doesn't surprise you at closing.
Property Taxes: Paid in Arrears, Prorated at Closing
In Maricopa County, the Treasurer's calendar shows first-half 2026 taxes were due October 1, and they become delinquent after 5 p.m. on November 2, 2026. The second half is due March 1, 2027. Escrow prorates taxes so each side pays for its share of the year. If you're closing this fall, confirm with escrow whether the first half has been paid, so it's credited correctly.
The Tax Side of Selling
Federal Home-Sale Exclusion
- Up to $250,000 of gain excluded, or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly (IRS Publication 523)
- Eligibility: generally, you owned and used the home as your residence for at least 24 months of the five years before the sale
- Rentals, second homes and home offices follow different rules. Bring your CPA in before you list.
Arizona and Special Cases
- Arizona income tax: a flat 2.5% (tax year 2025, per the Arizona Department of Revenue)
- Foreign sellers (FIRPTA): the buyer generally must withhold 15% of the amount realized, per the IRS. Start this paperwork early.
“The seller conversation I value most happens before we ever pick a list price. We build a net sheet together with the title quote, the HOA's actual transfer fees, the tax proration and a realistic concession line. Sellers who see their number up front negotiate calmly, because they know exactly what a request for a $10,000 credit really costs them.”
— Elizabeth Vijan, Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Why Your Net Depends on the Market, Too
Costs are only half the equation. The other half is how close to list price you sell and how long you carry the home. Phoenix REALTORS/ShowingTime, September 2026, single-family:
- Scottsdale: 97.2% of list price received, 80 median days on market, 3.7 months of supply
- Phoenix: 97.9% of list price received, 68 median days on market, 3.9 months of supply
On a $1,200,000 sale, every 1% of price, compensation or concession equals $12,000. That's why a few points of list-price strategy can matter as much as every fee above combined. Selling an older or historic home? My guide to selling a historic Central Phoenix home covers the extra prep.
FAQ: Arizona Seller Costs
Does Arizona have a transfer tax on real estate?
No. The only transfer-related charge is a $2 recorder fee, included in the $30 recording fee.
Who pays title insurance in Arizona?
By default in the AAR resale contract, the seller pays the owner's policy and the buyer pays the lender's policy. Escrow and recording fees are split equally.
Do you pay capital gains tax when you sell your house in Arizona?
Often not on a primary home: up to $250,000/$500,000 of gain is excluded if you meet the 2-of-5-year test.
How much can an HOA charge when you sell in Arizona?
Up to $400 in aggregate for resale disclosure and transfer services, plus $100 for rush service and $50 for an update.
Want to See Your Real Number?
I'll prepare a seller net sheet for your home with a title and escrow estimate, your HOA's actual transfer fees, the tax proration for your closing month, and three pricing scenarios built from this fall's sales.
Elizabeth Vijan | Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Scottsdale & Phoenix Real Estate
Request My Seller Net Sheet · Call or text 602-885-7752
Sources: Arizona Constitution, Article IX, Section 24 · A.R.S. 11-1132, real estate transfer fee · A.R.S. 11-1133, affidavit of value · A.R.S. 11-475, recording fees · A.R.S. 33-1806, HOA resale disclosure · Sample AAR resale purchase contract (Phoenix REALTORS) · Maricopa County Treasurer tax calendar · A.R.S. 42-18052, tax due dates · IRS Publication 523 · IRS FIRPTA withholding · Arizona income tax highlights (ADOR) · Scottsdale September 2026 market update · Phoenix September 2026 market update
Disclaimer: Contract defaults can be changed by agreement, and fees and tax rules change. This post is not tax or legal advice; consult a CPA or attorney about your situation. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Tackett Team, eXp Realty · Get in touch