What is the baseline California Documentary Transfer Tax?

The baseline California state transfer tax rate is $0.55 per $500 of property value, which equates to $1.10 per $1,000 (or 0.11%). However, local charter cities across California frequently add their own municipal transfer taxes on top of this baseline.

How do Los Angeles Measure ULA thresholds work?

Measure ULA applies only within the City of Los Angeles and is paid by the seller. Sales between $5.4 Million and $10.9 Million face a 4% tax, and sales of $10.9 Million or more a 5.5% tax. Once a threshold is crossed the rate applies to the entire sale price, not just the amount above the threshold. The thresholds are re-indexed annually.

Who pays title and escrow fees in Northern vs. Southern California?

California real estate customs are split geographically. In Southern California (e.g., Los Angeles, San Diego), the seller pays for the owner's title policy and local transfer taxes. In Northern California (e.g., San Francisco, San Jose), the buyer typically covers title insurance and escrow fees.

California · Seller net proceeds

Know exactly what you'll walk away with in California.

Pre-loaded with California transfer-tax rules, recording-fee estimates, and title-insurance customs. Every field stays editable.

Tax tables & post-NAR commission guidelines updated for 2026.

Enter property address to pre-fill data

We'll pre-fill the state, county transfer taxes, title custom and an estimated property tax bill. Every number stays editable.

Single sheet

One set of terms, full itemized net sheet.

Estimated Net Proceeds

$205,200

Property label

Shown on the PDF report and used in the file name.

Sale price

Estimated closing date

Seller agent commission3%

Buyer agent commission2.5%

Outstanding mortgage payoff

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Estate Pro

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Your Estimated Net Walkaway Cash

$205,200

Closing on Oct 12, 2026 · $319,800 in payoff, commissions & costs

Where the gross sale goes

$525,000 sale price broken down

Mortgage Payoff
$285,000
54.3% of gross sale
Total Commissions
$28,875
5.5% of gross sale
Closing/Agent costs
$5,925
1.1% of gross sale
Your Net Cash
$205,200
39.1% of gross sale

Itemized breakdown

Every line, and the share you pay as the seller

Itemized seller closing cost breakdown
Item	Full	Your share
Sale price	—	$525,000
Mortgage payoff	—	−$285,000
Listing agent commission(3%)	—	−$15,750
Buyer agent commission(2.5%)	—	−$13,125
Title Insurance Policy(Seller)	$1,800	−$1,800
Transfer Tax	$2,100	−$2,100
Recording Fees	$150	−$150
Escrow / Settlement Fee(50/50)	$950	−$475
Prorated Property Taxes	$1,400	−$1,400
Estimated net proceeds		$205,200

Selling a primary residence? Read our capital gains tax on home sale guide to estimate any federal tax owed on top of these net proceeds.

Create a seller-ready report

Estate Pro

Turn the verified figures in this net sheet into a clear seller explanation, then download the branded PDF or share a secure link. You review and approve every word.

Includes an approved plain-English explanation, branded PDF and secure share link.

Unlock seller-ready reports

Sumline never changes your calculations.

California closing costs at a glance

Transfer tax

Required by law

California base County Documentary Transfer Tax of 0.11% ($1.10 per $1,000).

Owner's title policy

Customary practice

In Southern California, the Seller traditionally pays for title and escrow. In Northern California, the Buyer customarily pays.

Recording fees

Required by law

Estimated at $125 in the calculator above.

Commissions

Negotiated

Listing commission and any buyer-agent concession are negotiated separately.

Customary practices vary and every editable cost can be adjusted in the calculator above.

Reviewed August 1, 2026

Sources

Seller guide

Understanding Closing Costs & Net Proceeds in California

California's baseline state transfer tax is small, but city add-ons and the LA Measure ULA "mansion tax" can dwarf every other closing cost on higher-priced sales. Custom on who pays title also flips between the northern and southern halves of the state.

Key local custom breakdown

Transfer tax: The state base is $1.10 per $1,000 (0.11%). Charter cities like LA, San Francisco, and Oakland stack their own transfer taxes on top.
Measure ULA: Measure ULA applies only in the City of Los Angeles and is seller-paid: sales over $5.4M add a 4% tax and sales over $10.9M add 5.5%. Once a threshold is crossed the rate applies to the entire sale price, and the thresholds are re-indexed annually.
Title insurance: In Southern California the seller pays for title and escrow; in Northern California the buyer traditionally pays.

How the California transfer tax is calculated

Base Transfer Tax = Sale Price × 0.0011

Example: $800,000 × 0.0011 = $880

Add city transfer taxes (LA, SF, Oakland) and LA Measure ULA on sales > $5.4M — City of Los Angeles only, seller-paid, applied to the entire sale price once a threshold is crossed, with thresholds re-indexed annually.

Frequently asked questions (California real estate)

What is the baseline California Documentary Transfer Tax?: The baseline California state transfer tax rate is $0.55 per $500 of property value, which equates to $1.10 per $1,000 (or 0.11%). However, local charter cities across California frequently add their own municipal transfer taxes on top of this baseline.
How do Los Angeles Measure ULA thresholds work?: Measure ULA applies only within the City of Los Angeles and is paid by the seller. Sales between $5.4 Million and $10.9 Million face a 4% tax, and sales of $10.9 Million or more a 5.5% tax. Once a threshold is crossed the rate applies to the entire sale price, not just the amount above the threshold. The thresholds are re-indexed annually.
Who pays title and escrow fees in Northern vs. Southern California?: California real estate customs are split geographically. In Southern California (e.g., Los Angeles, San Diego), the seller pays for the owner's title policy and local transfer taxes. In Northern California (e.g., San Francisco, San Jose), the buyer typically covers title insurance and escrow fees.

Agents: turn this estimate into a client-ready seller proceeds report with your name and brokerage on it.

Listing agents: turn this estimate into a branded seller net sheet for listing presentations.

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Know exactly what you'll walk away with in California.

Sale price, commission & payoffThe three numbers that drive your net

Local closing costs, title insurance & escrow prorations$5,925 estimated

Seller concessions & repair credits$0 credited to the buyer

Create a seller-ready report

California closing costs at a glance

Transfer tax

Owner's title policy

Recording fees

Commissions

Sources

Understanding Closing Costs & Net Proceeds in California

Key local custom breakdown

How the California transfer tax is calculated

Frequently asked questions (California real estate)

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