North Carolina Closing Costs for Sellers, Line by Line

North Carolina is an attorney-closing state. A licensed attorney supervises the closing, and the settlement statement lists every charge to buyer and seller. Sellers who know the pattern in advance rarely get surprised at the table.

Excise Tax

The state real estate excise tax is $1 for every $500 of consideration, set by General Statute 105-228.30. On a $1 million sale it is $2,000. On $2 million it is $4,000. On $5 million it is $10,000. The seller customarily pays it, and the contract can say otherwise only if both sides agree.

Payoffs and Liens

Any mortgage, equity line, judgment or tax lien recorded against the property is paid from the seller's proceeds. Your attorney orders written payoffs; you can speed this up by gathering account numbers early.

Property Tax Proration

North Carolina property taxes are billed for the calendar year and are often paid by the seller in the fall. At closing the attorney splits the year: the seller pays for the days they owned the home, the buyer for the rest. If you already paid the year's bill, you receive a credit.

In Mecklenburg County the county rate for 2026-2027 is 49.27 cents per $100 of assessed value, plus the city or town rate. In the City of Charlotte that combined rate is about 78.6 cents. Union County's base rate is 43.42 cents, plus the town rate where one applies.

Attorney and Recording Charges

The seller usually pays for deed preparation and any work needed to clear title on their side. Fees vary by firm, so ask for a written estimate. Recording the deed itself is customarily a buyer cost.

HOA Charges

Associations may charge transfer, statement or capital contribution fees. Who pays depends on the association documents and the contract. Request a written statement from the association as soon as you are under contract.

Repair Credits and Concessions

Anything agreed during the due diligence period, such as a repair credit or closing cost contribution, appears on the statement. These numbers are negotiated, not fixed, and they are where preparation before listing pays off.

Commission

Commission is negotiable and set by your listing agreement. It is paid at closing from proceeds.

A Worked Example

Take a $2 million sale in the City of Charlotte closing June 30 with taxes not yet paid for the year. Excise tax is $4,000. Half a year of property tax on a $2 million assessment at about 78.6 cents per $100 is roughly $7,860, credited to the buyer. Add the payoff, attorney fee, any HOA charges, agreed credits and commission, and you have the seller's side of the statement.

Sources: Mecklenburg County Office of Management and Budget, FY2027 adopted budget (county rate 49.27 cents per $100); City of Charlotte FY2027 adopted budget; Union County & Municipal Tax Rates 2026-2027 published by Union County; Village of Marvin tax page; North Carolina General Statute 105-228.30 (real estate excise tax). Rates apply to assessed value, which can differ from market value.