Free Columbia, Maryland seller net sheet calculator
Closing costs, transfer taxes and who pays what when selling a home in Columbia, Maryland (Howard County). The calculator applies the local rates for you.
- Median home value
- $480,300
- Transfer tax on $480,000
- $10,800
- Seller costs on $480,000
- About $29,860
- Median property tax bill
- $5,969 a year
- County
- Howard County
- Population
- 105,871
Columbia transfer tax
On a $480,000 sale in Columbia, transfer taxes come to $10,800: State transfer tax, Recordation tax (Howard County) and County transfer tax (Howard County). By custom the seller pays $5,400 of that and the buyer $5,400.
| Tax | Rate | Paid by | On $480,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| State transfer tax | 0.5% | Split 50/50 | $2,400 |
| Recordation tax (Howard County) | $2.50 per $500 | Split 50/50 | $2,400 |
| County transfer tax (Howard County) | 1.25% | Split 50/50 | $6,000 |
| Sale price | Seller pays | Buyer pays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $2,812.50 | $2,812.50 | $5,625 |
| $480,000 local median value | $5,400 | $5,400 | $10,800 |
| $500,000 | $5,625 | $5,625 | $11,250 |
| $1,000,000 | $11,250 | $11,250 | $22,500 |
Example Columbia seller net sheet
A $480,000 sale, close to Columbia's median home value of $480,300, with a 5% commission and a $290,000 mortgage payoff. Seller costs come to about $29,860, or 6.2% of the price.
| Line | Seller |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $480,000 |
| First mortgage payoff | −$290,000 |
| Real estate commission (5%) | −$24,000 |
| State transfer tax | −$1,200 |
| Recordation tax (Howard County) | −$1,200 |
| County transfer tax (Howard County) | −$3,000 |
| Settlement / closing fee | −$350 |
| Release / satisfaction recording | −$60 |
| Wire / courier / payoff processing | −$50 |
| Estimated net before property tax prorations | $160,140 |
Who pays what in Columbia
Columbia closings follow Howard County customs. In Howard County, the buyer customarily pays the owner's title policy. The settlement fee is paid by each side for its own closing. Closings are usually handled by a title company or attorney.
Property taxes in Columbia
The median property tax bill for homeowners in Columbia is $5,969 a year, about 1.24% of the median home value of $480,300 (Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2019-2023). Taxes here are paid in advance, so at closing the bill is prorated between buyer and seller to the closing date. Fiscal year Jul-Jun, billed Jul 1 and paid in advance (semiannual option for owner-occupants); seller is credited for prepaid months.
Rates verified 2026-09-30. Home value and tax bill: Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2019–2023. A net sheet is an estimate; final figures come from the title company.
Columbia seller questions
How much is the transfer tax in Columbia, Maryland?
On a $480,000 sale in Columbia, transfer taxes come to $10,800: State transfer tax, Recordation tax (Howard County) and County transfer tax (Howard County). By custom the seller pays $5,400 of that and the buyer $5,400.
How much are seller closing costs in Columbia?
On a $480,000 sale, close to the median home value in Columbia, with a 5% commission, estimated seller costs are about $29,860 (6.2% of the price). Without commission they are about $5,860. The loan payoff and property tax proration change the final number.
What county is Columbia in, and does it matter at closing?
Columbia is in Howard County, Maryland. County and state rules set the transfer taxes and recording fees, and local custom decides who pays for title and closing. In Howard County, the buyer customarily pays the owner's title policy. The settlement fee is paid by each side for its own closing.
How much are property taxes in Columbia?
The median property tax bill for homeowners in Columbia is $5,969 a year, about 1.24% of the median home value of $480,300 (Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2019-2023). Taxes here are paid in advance, so at closing the bill is prorated between buyer and seller to the closing date. Fiscal year Jul-Jun, billed Jul 1 and paid in advance (semiannual option for owner-occupants); seller is credited for prepaid months.
Build your Columbia net sheet in minutes.
Free to use. No account needed to try it.