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💰How Much Will I Walk Away With?
A clear, Arizona‑specific guide to understanding your true net proceeds when selling your home.
When most Arizona homeowners think about selling, the first question isn’t “What’s my home worth?” — it’s “What will I actually walk away with?” Your net proceeds are the amount you keep after commissions, closing costs, repairs, credits, taxes, and your remaining mortgage balance. This guide breaks down every factor that affects your bottom line so you can plan your next move with confidence.
📊What Determines Your Net Proceeds?
Your final walk‑away amount depends on five major factors:
1
Your sale price
2
Your remaining mortgage balance
3
Closing costs
(commissions, title fees, HOA fees)
4
Repairs or credits
$200–$1,500 (varies)
5
Prorated taxes & utilities
💡Arizona Tip: Homes in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Gilbert often sell quickly when priced correctly, which reduces the risk of concessions or price drops that eat into your net.
🏷️Your Final Sale Price
Your sale price is the foundation of your net proceeds — but it’s not the whole story.
What influences your sale price
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Market conditions
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Seasonality
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Home condition
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Staging and presentation
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Pricing strategy
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Competition in your ZIP code
A strong launch and clean presentation can add thousands to your final number.
💡Arizona Tip: Homes with professional photos, clean landscaping, and a serviced HVAC consistently attract stronger offers in the first week.
🏦Your Remaining Mortgage Balance
Your mortgage payoff is subtracted directly from your sale proceeds at closing.
What to expect
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You’ll receive a payoff quote from your lender
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It includes your remaining principal + interest through the closing date
-
Any HELOCs or second loans must also be paid off
💡Arizona Tip: If you’re closing near the end of the month, your interest charges are lower — timing can save you money.
💼Seller Closing Costs (6%–8%)
Most Arizona sellers pay 6%–8% of the sale price in total selling costs.
Typical seller expenses
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Agent commissions
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Title & escrow fees
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Owner’s title insurance
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HOA transfer fees
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Prorated taxes
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Misc. fees (recording, courier, mobile notary)
💡 Arizona Tip: HOA communities in Arizona can charge anywhere from $200 to $1,500+ for transfer and disclosure fees — check early so you’re not surprised.
🏘️HOA Fees, Transfer Fees & Disclosure Costs ($200–$1,500)
If your home is in an HOA, expect several required fees.
Common HOA-related seller costs
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HOA transfer fee
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HOA disclosure package
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Capital improvement fees (in some communities)
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Prorated dues
💡Arizona Tip: Some HOAs charge rush fees if documents are needed quickly — plan ahead to avoid extra costs.
🔧Repairs, Credits & Inspection Requests
Your net proceeds can change depending on what comes up during inspection.
Common repair or credit requests
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HVAC service or replacement
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Roof repairs
-
Water heater replacement
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Pool equipment repairs
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Plumbing or electrical fixes
Your options
-
Make repairs
-
Offer a credit
-
Decline (depending on contract terms)
💡 Arizona Tip: A pre‑listing inspection can reduce surprise repair requests and protect your net proceeds.
💰Buyer Concessions
Concessions are optional but common in slower markets or with FHA/VA buyers.
Examples:
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Closing cost assistance
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Rate buydown credits
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Repair credits
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Home warranty
💡Arizona Tip: Homes priced correctly from day one, are far less likely to require concessions.
🧾Prorated Taxes, Utilities & HOA Dues
These smaller items add up and affect your final number.
What gets prorated
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Property taxes
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HOA dues
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Solar lease payments
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Utilities
-
Rental income (if applicable)
💡 Arizona Tip: Arizona property taxes are paid in arrears, meaning you’ll owe for the period leading up to closing.
🧮Putting It All Together: What You’ll Actually Walk Away With
Your net proceeds = Sale Price − Mortgage Payoff − Closing Costs − Repairs/Credits − Prorated Taxes & Fees
Example on a $500,000 home
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Sale price: $500,000
-
Mortgage payoff: $310,000
-
Closing costs (7%): $35,000
-
Repairs/credits: $3,000
-
Prorated taxes/fees: $600
Estimated walk‑away amount: $151,400
💡Arizona Tip: Your net proceeds are often higher when you:
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Price correctly from day one
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Prep the home well
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Avoid unnecessary concessions
-
Reduce days on market
❓ How Much Will I Walk Away With?
How do I calculate how much I’ll walk away with when selling my home?
Your net proceeds equal your sale price minus your mortgage payoff, closing costs, repairs/credits, and prorated taxes/fees.
What are the biggest factors that affect my net proceeds?
The top five are:
-
Final sale price
-
Remaining mortgage balance
-
Closing costs
-
Repairs or credits
-
Prorated taxes, utilities, and HOA dues
How much do sellers typically pay in closing costs in Arizona?
Most sellers pay 6%–8% of the sale price, including commissions, title fees, HOA fees, and prorated taxes.
How does my mortgage payoff affect my walk‑away amount?
Your remaining loan balance is subtracted directly from your proceeds at closing. This includes principal + interest through the closing date.
Do I have to pay off my HELOC or second mortgage when I sell?
Yes. Any liens or secondary loans tied to the property must be paid off at closing.
What repairs or credits might reduce my net proceeds?
Common deductions include HVAC repairs, roof fixes, water heater replacement, pool equipment repairs, and inspection credits.
Can I avoid large repair credits from buyers?
Yes — a pre‑listing inspection helps you identify issues early and negotiate from a stronger position.
How do HOA fees impact my walk‑away amount?
HOA transfer fees, disclosure fees, and prorated dues are deducted from your proceeds. These can range from $200–$1,500+ in Arizona.
Do sellers pay property taxes at closing?
Yes. Arizona taxes are paid in arrears, so you’ll owe prorated taxes up to the day of closing.
What happens if the buyer asks for concessions?
Concessions (closing cost help, rate buydowns, repair credits) reduce your net proceeds. They’re negotiable and depend on market conditions.
How does pricing strategy affect how much I walk away with?
Correct pricing reduces days on market, increases buyer competition, and minimizes concessions — all of which protect your net.
Do staging and prep impact my final walk‑away amount?
Absolutely. Clean, staged, well‑presented homes often sell faster and for more money, reducing the need for concessions or price drops.
Can I estimate my net proceeds before listing?
Yes. By reviewing your mortgage balance, expected closing costs, HOA fees, and potential repairs, you can get a clear estimate.
Will I receive my proceeds on closing day?
Typically, funds are disbursed same day or next business day, depending on your title company and bank.
What’s the biggest mistake sellers make when estimating their walk‑away amount?
Focusing only on sale price and forgetting about closing costs, repairs, HOA fees, and prorated taxes, which can significantly change the final number.
🤝 Work With Sold & Sunset
Your trusted starting point for learning, planning, and preparing for your real estate journey.
Most people begin their real estate journey with questions — not contracts. Sold & Sunset exists to support that early stage: the research phase, the “I’m curious,” the “I’m not ready to talk to anyone yet,” and the “I just want to understand how this works.”
We’re here to give you clarity, confidence, and credible information long before you ever speak with an agent or lender.
And when you are ready to move from research → action, we connect you with trusted Real Estate and Mortgage Lending Partners who can guide you through the next steps.
🌟 How Sold & Sunset Supports Your Early Journey
📘 Learn the Process at Your Own Pace
Explore guides, checklists, neighborhood insights, and step‑by‑step explanations designed for beginners — no pressure, no sales pitch.
📍 Understand Phoenix Neighborhoods
Compare areas, home styles, price ranges, and long‑term trends with clear, neutral, compliance‑friendly information.
🎁 Discover Grants & Assistance Options
Learn about federal, state, and local programs that can help with:
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Down payments
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Closing costs
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Affordability support
All explained in simple, practical terms.
📊 Build a Realistic Plan
Use our tools and resources to understand:
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How much you can afford
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What credit score you need
-
What down payment options exist
-
What to expect at each stage
So you can make informed decisions when the time is right.
🧭 Avoid Early‑Stage Mistakes
We help you understand the pitfalls that catch many first‑time buyers off guard — before you’re under contract or financially committed.
🔗 When You’re Ready, We Connect You with Trusted Partners
Once you feel confident and prepared, Sold & Sunset pairs you with:
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A vetted Real Estate Partner
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A trusted Mortgage Lending Partner
These professionals take you from education → execution, guiding you through:
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Pre‑approval
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Touring homes
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Making offers
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Inspections
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Closing
You stay in control. You choose when you’re ready.
💡 Phoenix Tip: Many buyers spend weeks — sometimes months — in the research phase. That’s normal. Sold & Sunset is designed to support you during this stage so that when you’re ready to take action, you already feel informed and confident.