Knowing your sale price is only half the picture. What matters is what you walk away with after the costs of selling. Encino is a neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles, which means sellers here pay the City's transfer tax on top of the County's, and very high-value sales can also trigger the City's Measure ULA tax. This guide walks through every common cost of selling a house in Encino, with official sources for the tax figures and simple worked examples.
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Rates and thresholds change; confirm current figures with your escrow officer and a tax professional before you rely on them.
The short list: what Encino sellers typically pay
Most of these are negotiable or depend on your home. The purchase contract states who pays what.
| Cost | How it is set |
|---|---|
| Real estate commission | Negotiable between you and your agent; not set by law |
| Los Angeles County documentary transfer tax | $1.10 per $1,000 of value conveyed |
| City of Los Angeles transfer tax (base) | $2.25 per $500 (0.45%) |
| City of Los Angeles Measure ULA tax | Only above the current thresholds (see below) |
| Escrow and title fees | Quoted by the escrow and title companies; split as agreed |
| Loan payoff | Your remaining mortgage balance, plus interest to the payoff date |
| Prorated property taxes and HOA dues | Settled through escrow as of closing |
| Reports and disclosures | For example, a natural hazard disclosure report |
| Repairs or buyer credits | Negotiated after the buyer's inspections |
| Prep, staging, and moving | Your choice and budget |
Transfer taxes in Encino (City of Los Angeles)
Transfer taxes are charged when the deed is recorded. Because Encino is inside the City of Los Angeles, there are two layers, and sometimes a third.
County documentary transfer tax
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder lists the countywide documentary transfer tax as $0.55 per $500, which is $1.10 per $1,000, of the value conveyed (excluding liens that stay on the property). For a home in the City of Los Angeles, the County's page notes the full $1.10 per $1,000 applies. (Source checked October 26, 2026.)
City of Los Angeles base transfer tax
The City of Los Angeles Office of Finance lists the base real property transfer tax as $2.25 per $500 (0.45%), rounded up to the next $500. (Source checked October 26, 2026.)
Measure ULA: only for high-value sales
Measure ULA adds a special City tax on top of the base tax when a sale crosses a threshold. According to the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance, for transactions closing after June 30, 2026:
- More than $5,400,000 and less than $10,900,000: 4%
- $10,900,000 or more: 5.5%
The thresholds are adjusted every year for inflation, and the City applies the ULA rate to the full value conveyed, not just the part above the threshold. (Source: LA Office of Finance Measure ULA FAQ, checked October 26, 2026.)
For an Encino seller close to a threshold, that structure matters a lot in pricing and negotiation. Talk with a tax professional and your escrow officer before setting a price near the line.
Worked examples (illustrations, not price predictions)
These use round sale prices only to show the math. They are not estimates of any home's value.
| Sale price | County tax ($1.10 / $1,000) | City base tax ($2.25 / $500) | Measure ULA | Total transfer taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500,000 | $1,650 | $6,750 | $0 | $8,400 |
| $3,000,000 | $3,300 | $13,500 | $0 | $16,800 |
| $5,500,000 | $6,050 | $24,750 | $220,000 (4%) | $250,800 |
Who pays transfer tax is negotiable and written into the contract, so confirm with your escrow officer how it will be handled on your sale.
Commission
There is no standard or legally set commission. What you pay your listing agent, and whether you offer anything toward a buyer's agent, is negotiated and put in writing. This site does not quote a commission. Ask any agent you interview to explain exactly what is included: pricing analysis, prep guidance, photography, marketing, showings, negotiation, and managing escrow through closing.
Escrow, title, and closing costs
Escrow and title companies charge for their services: the escrow fee, title insurance, recording, notary, and similar items. Amounts vary by company and price, and the split between buyer and seller is negotiated in the contract. Ask for a written estimate early, then compare it with your agent's net sheet.
Loan payoff, property taxes, and HOA dues
At closing, escrow pays off any mortgage or line of credit from your proceeds. Request a payoff statement so there are no surprises from interest or fees. Property taxes and any HOA dues are prorated to the closing date. Condo and townhome sellers should also expect HOA document and transfer charges; your HOA or its management company sets those.
Disclosures, reports, and repairs
California requires sellers to give buyers written disclosures about the property, and many sellers order a natural hazard disclosure report through a third-party provider. After the buyer's inspections, you may agree to repairs or a credit instead. A pre-listing inspection can help you decide what to fix ahead of time and price with fewer surprises. Your agent and, where needed, a real estate attorney can explain which disclosures apply to your home. Our step-by-step guide on how to sell a house in Encino shows where disclosures and reports fit in the overall timeline.
Prep, staging, and moving
These costs are fully in your control. Paint, landscaping, minor repairs, cleaning, and staging often do more for an Encino sale than a last-minute remodel. Our guide on what your Encino home is worth explains how condition and presentation feed into price. Budget for moving and, if you are buying again, for the timing gap between the two homes. See buying a house in Encino if you plan to stay in the area.
Taxes on your gain
Federal law lets many owners exclude part of the gain on the sale of a main home if they meet the ownership and use tests. The IRS explains the rules in Topic 701, Sale of your home. California has its own rules. This is a question for a tax professional, and it is worth asking before you list.
How to estimate your own net proceeds
- Start with a realistic sale price based on recent comparable Encino sales, not an online estimate.
- Subtract transfer taxes using the official rates above.
- Subtract the agreed commission and your share of escrow and title fees.
- Subtract your loan payoff.
- Set aside a cushion for repairs or credits, prep, and moving.
Sean can prepare a net sheet for your home with current comparable sales for your street, so you see your estimated proceeds before you decide anything.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sell a house in Encino?
It depends on your price, your loan balance, the commission you negotiate, escrow and title quotes, and any repairs or credits. Transfer taxes are set by the County and City: $1.10 per $1,000 for the County plus $2.25 per $500 for the City of Los Angeles, with Measure ULA added only above the current thresholds.
Does Measure ULA apply to Encino homes?
Encino is part of the City of Los Angeles, so Measure ULA applies to sales above the current thresholds. For transactions closing after June 30, 2026, the City lists 4% above $5,400,000 and 5.5% at $10,900,000 or more. Thresholds are adjusted yearly, so confirm the current figures before you price.
How much does it cost to sell a house in Los Angeles?
For a home inside the City of Los Angeles, which includes Encino, the line items are the same as above: commission, escrow and title, your loan payoff, prorations, reports, and any repairs or credits, plus the County's $1.10 per $1,000 and the City's $2.25 per $500 transfer taxes, with Measure ULA only above the current thresholds. Other cities in Los Angeles County set their own city transfer tax rules, so check with your escrow officer.
Who pays the transfer tax when selling in Los Angeles?
It is negotiable and written into the purchase contract. Ask your escrow officer how it is handled on your sale.
Is real estate commission fixed in California?
No. Commission is negotiable between you and your agent and should be put in writing.
Can I lower my selling costs?
Sometimes. You can compare escrow and title quotes, negotiate commission and services, handle simple prep yourself, and price carefully if you are near a Measure ULA threshold. Get any tax or legal questions answered by a professional before you act.
More reading: all Encino real estate articles · what your Encino home is worth · request your home value