Realty Transfer Fee (seller)
The seller pays New Jersey's Realty Transfer Fee when the deed is recorded. It is tiered by sale price. The net proceeds estimator applies the standard schedule for you.
Partial transfer fee exemptions
Lower rates apply to qualifying sellers 62 or older, qualifying blind or disabled sellers, and low and moderate income housing. The seller claims it on Form RTF-1, signed before a notary and recorded with the deed. The estimator does not apply these lower rates, so ask your attorney if one fits you.
Graduated Percent Fee, now paid by the seller
For deeds recorded on or after July 10, 2025 (P.L. 2025, c. 69), sales over $1 million carry a Graduated Percent Fee paid by the seller, not the buyer: 1% above $1 million to $2 million, 2% to $2.5 million, 2.5% to $3 million, 3% to $3.5 million and 3.5% above that, on the full price. Many older articles, and the state's older FAQ page, still say the buyer pays a 1% fee.
Commission
The real estate commission is set in your listing agreement, is negotiable, and is paid from the sale proceeds at closing. Enter your own rate in the net proceeds estimator.
Tax, association and utility prorations
At closing, the settlement statement credits the buyer or the seller for property taxes, association dues and utilities paid ahead or still owed for the part of the period each one owns the home. Water and sewer usually need a final meter reading first; Ridgewood Water, for example, asks sellers to schedule it 3 to 5 days before closing.
Title, settlement and searches (buyer)
The buyer's title company charges for the title search and exam, a settlement or closing fee, and municipal, tax and judgment searches, on top of title insurance. One published NJ estimator uses about $300 for the search and $1,300 for settlement. Ask your title company for its fee sheet; the closing cost estimator has an editable line for it.
Certificates the seller orders
Before a one- or two-family home or townhouse is sold, the owner needs a Certificate of Smoke Alarm, Carbon Monoxide Alarm and Portable Fire Extinguisher Compliance from the local fire official. Many towns also require their own resale inspection or certificate of continued occupancy, with a fee. See the town table below.
Attorney review
Most New Jersey home sales include a three business day attorney review after the contract is fully signed. Weekends and holidays do not count. Either side's attorney can approve the contract, ask for changes or cancel it in that window.
Flood risk disclosure
Since March 20, 2024, sellers disclose known flood risk and flood history on the updated Seller's Property Condition Disclosure Statement, and landlords give tenants a flood risk notice. The state's online flood tool shows a property's flood zone information.
Buyer costs
Buyers pay title insurance, county recording fees, their attorney, lender fees and prepaid taxes and insurance. The buyer closing cost estimator adds them up line by line.
Sellers who live out of state
Nonresident sellers generally make an estimated income tax payment at closing (GIT/REP), unless an exemption applies, such as selling a principal residence that qualifies under federal rules.
Town resale requirements
Each town sets its own resale inspection, certificate and fee. Order them early: most need an inspection before closing, and open permits can hold them up. Fees are shown only where the town publishes them.
| Town | What the town requires on a sale | Fee |
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| Fort Lee | Sale Certificate of Compliance (smoke, carbon monoxide and extinguisher inspection) from the Fire Prevention Bureau, including condos and co-ops. | $100 application (2025 form) |
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| Edgewater | Certificate of Continued Occupancy before a sale or rental, with Building Department and Fire Prevention inspections. | One-family sale: $100 building plus $100 fire. Two-family: $125 plus $125 (Ord. 2026-002) |
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| Cliffside Park | Certificate of Continued Occupancy for a sale, through the Building Department. | Check with the town |
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| Weehawken | Check with the Building Department, which includes the Housing Inspection Office. The state smoke and carbon monoxide certificate applies to one- and two-family homes. | Check with the town |
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| West New York | Smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm certificate from Fire Prevention for one- and two-family homes, condos and co-ops. Valid for 6 months. | Check with the town |
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| North Bergen | Runs a commercial and residential certificate of occupancy program. Check what a resale needs. | Check with the town |
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| Hoboken | Certificate of smoke detector, carbon monoxide and fire extinguisher compliance from the Fire Department, applied for online. | Check with the town |
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| Jersey City | Sale of property smoke and carbon monoxide alarm certification from Fire Prevention. The city does not issue new certificates of occupancy for a sale. | Check with the town |
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| Hackensack | Continued Certificate of Occupancy for the sale or rental of one- and two-family homes and certain other units. | One-family $100, two-family $150 |
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| Paramus | Certificate of Compliance for every home sale: smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and a fire extinguisher are checked, and prior permits must be closed. | $95 for a sale |
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| Ridgewood | Smoke detector and carbon monoxide inspection and certificate before a sale or rental. Ridgewood Water also needs a final meter reading. | $120 more than 10 days before closing, $150 within 10 days, $200 within 3 days |
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| Montclair | Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide certificate from the Fire Department for one- and two-family homes. Apply at least 10 days before closing. | $75 |
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| Wayne | Continued Certificate of Occupancy for sales and rentals, including townhouses and condos, plus a Fire Bureau smoke, carbon monoxide and extinguisher certificate. | Fire certificate $50 with 10 or more business days' notice. CCO fee: check with the town |
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| Clifton | Fire Prevention Bureau dwelling certificate, after the Building Department confirms there are no open permits. | Sale: $125 per unit ($200 or $300 to expedite) |
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Checked against each town's own website in October 2026. Towns change rules and fees, so confirm with the town before you list.
