How much does it cost to sell a home in Novato or Petaluma? Plan on roughly 6 to 10 percent of the sale price once you add up agent commissions, transfer taxes, and closing costs. On a $900,000 sale, that works out to about $54,000 to $90,000. The two biggest line items, the commission and the local transfer tax, both vary by town, so it pays to know the numbers before you sign a listing agreement.
The biggest line item: agent commissions
Agent commissions are the largest single cost of selling. In California in 2026, the average total commission runs about 5 to 5.5 percent of the sale price, typically split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. That pays for the marketing, professional photos, showings, negotiations, and the paperwork that keeps a sale from falling apart. Discount arrangements exist, but in a market where the buyer's agent is negotiating on your behalf, experienced representation usually pays for itself.
Transfer taxes: Novato vs. Petaluma
The documentary transfer tax is paid by the seller in both counties by local custom, and the rate depends entirely on which town you are in. Novato sits in Marin County, where the rate is $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price with no city add-on: on a $1 million sale, that is about $1,100. Petaluma is different. Sonoma County charges the same $1.10 per $1,000, but Petaluma adds its own $2.00 per $1,000 city transfer tax for a total of $3.10 per $1,000: on that same $1 million sale, roughly $3,100. If you are comparing towns, this is one of the quiet differences that shows up on your closing statement.
The rest of the closing costs
Beyond the commission and transfer tax, sellers typically pay escrow and title fees, deed preparation, prorated property taxes, and the payoff of any existing mortgage plus its accrued interest. In Marin and Sonoma, escrow and title insurance are more often paid by the buyer by local custom, though the split is negotiated in the contract. Non-commission closing costs average about 2.7 percent of the sale price statewide, so on a $1 million home that is roughly $27,000 on top of everything else.
What you actually control
- Pricing it right from day one. A well-priced home sells faster and usually nets more than one that starts high and cuts the price later.
- Pre-inspection and prep work. Knowing the condition of your roof, foundation, and systems before you list means fewer surprises at the inspection table.
- Negotiating the commission openly. It is a line item, and a good agent will walk you through exactly what you are paying for.
- Choosing an agent who knows your town's buyers and your town's numbers inside out.
I have sold more than 100 homes across Novato and Petaluma, and I have lived in both towns, so I can show you a realistic net sheet before we ever put up a sign. Send me your address and I will break down what your sale would actually cost, what your home is worth today, and what the current market says about timing. Love where you live, and sell it smart.
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Written by
Peter Schardt
21 years in real estate, 100+ homes sold, and a lifetime in the North Bay. Sales Associate · 01702383 · California.
