NJ Exit Tax: What Nonresident Sellers Pay at Closing and How to Get It Back
The “NJ exit tax” is not a separate tax; it is an estimated New Jersey
October 29, 2026
Full service for a 1% listing fee, with no minimum commission.
What’s the housing market doing in New Jersey? Learn more about local market conditions and find info on buying and selling property in the garden state.
The “NJ exit tax” is not a separate tax; it is an estimated New Jersey
Since August 1, 2024, New Jersey requires residential sellers to complete the state’s Seller’s Property
The NJ mansion tax is now a seller-paid Graduated Percent Fee of 1% to 3.5% on homes over $1 million. See 2026 rates, examples, and the $2 million price cliff.
Houwzer’s low commission realtors in New Jersey charge a 1% listing fee with no minimum commission. Your fee is 1% of the final sale price. On a hypothetical $500,000 sale, that’s $5,000 (1% × $500,000).
The 1% covers full service. Your agent builds a pricing strategy, books professional photography, puts your home on the MLS, negotiates with buyers and supports you through closing.
Buyer-agent compensation is a separate cost from your listing fee, and it’s negotiable. After the 2024 NAR settlement practice changes, buyers sign a written agreement with their own agent that spells out how that agent gets paid. You can negotiate whether you contribute anything toward it as part of your sale terms.
| Sale price (hypothetical) | 1% Houwzer listing fee | At a 2.5% listing fee | At a 3% listing fee | Difference vs 3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $3,500 | $8,750 | $10,500 | $7,000 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 | $12,500 | $15,000 | $10,000 |
| $750,000 | $7,500 | $18,750 | $22,500 | $15,000 |
Each fee is the hypothetical sale price times the rate (for example, 1% × $500,000 = $5,000), and the last column is the 3% fee minus the 1% Houwzer fee. These figures cover the listing fee only: buyer-agent compensation, New Jersey’s Realty Transfer Fee and other closing costs are separate.
Your listing fee is one line on a New Jersey closing statement. State fees are another. Under New Jersey law, the seller is responsible for the Realty Transfer Fee (RTF). On sales over $1 million, the seller is also responsible for the Graduated Percent Fee. Both are paid to the county when the deed is recorded.
This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Reduced RTF schedules and exemptions exist, and your contract can shift who pays. Confirm your numbers with a qualified professional before you sign. For a line-by-line breakdown, see our NJ closing costs guide.
Getting ready to list? Our guide to selling a house in New Jersey covers the steps before you go live.
Your 1% listing fee includes:
Buying a home in New Jersey? We give half the buyer’s agent commission back to you at closing.* If the seller doesn’t offer a buyer’s agent commission, you pay 1%.
You’ll sign a written agreement with your agent that spells out compensation. Rebate terms are agreed in writing and disclosed to your lender.
*Some lenders cap rebates based on your down payment, so check with your lender. Some states prohibit buyer rebates.
Looking for low commission realtors near you? Houwzer has pages for South Jersey, the Jersey Shore and North Jersey. Each one covers the same 1% listing fee and full service in that area.
Our dedicated team of specialists delivers personalized expertise throughout your journey. From in-depth market insights to masterful negotiation tactics, you’re partnered with industry-leading professionals every step of the way.
Your listing fee is 1% of the final sale price, with no minimum commission. On a hypothetical $600,000 sale, the fee would be $6,000 (1% × $600,000). Buyer-agent compensation, the Realty Transfer Fee and other closing costs are separate from the listing fee.
The seller is statutorily responsible for New Jersey's Realty Transfer Fee. It's paid to the county when the deed is recorded. A contract can shift who pays, but legal liability stays with the seller.
Yes. Since July 10, 2025, the seller pays the Graduated Percent Fee, which used to be the buyer-paid "mansion tax." It applies to sales over $1 million, at 1% to 3.5% of the full price depending on the price band.
No. Buyer-agent compensation is separate from the listing fee and negotiable. Buyers in New Jersey sign a written agreement with their own agent that spells out how that agent gets paid.
Houwzer serves sellers and buyers across New Jersey, with pages for South Jersey, the Jersey Shore and North Jersey. Every area gets the same 1% listing fee with no minimum commission and full service through closing. Our New Jersey team is led by a Broker of Record.