Selling your first home in Palm Beach County comes down to three things: pricing it right, preparing for a roughly 80-day timeline from list to close, and understanding what you’ll actually net after costs and taxes. In 2026, sellers still have the upper hand in many price ranges — here’s how to sell confidently and keep more of your equity.
How much can you sell your home for in Palm Beach County right now?
Palm Beach County’s single-family median sale price reached $645,000 in March 2026, up 3.2% year over year, while condos and townhomes hit a median of $330,000, up 6.45% (BeachesMLS / MIAMI REALTORS®). Homes are still selling close to ask — the median sale-to-list ratio is about 94% for single-family homes.
That said, “median” hides a lot. Your home’s value depends on its neighborhood, condition, and how it compares to active competition. A comparative market analysis (CMA) from a local agent is far more accurate than any online estimate.
How long does it take to sell a home here?
Plan on about 42 days from listing to a signed contract for a typical single-family home, and roughly 83 days total from list to closing (BeachesMLS, March 2026). Condos move a little slower — about 71 days to contract and 111 to close. Pricing, condition, and season all shift those numbers.
Cash buyers can compress that timeline dramatically, and Palm Beach County has an unusually high share of them — which works in a seller’s favor.
What does it cost to sell a home in Palm Beach County?
Your two biggest line items are real estate commissions and seller closing costs. Since the National Association of REALTORS® settlement took effect August 17, 2024, all commissions are fully negotiable and agreed in writing. In Florida, sellers also typically pay for owner’s title insurance and documentary-stamp taxes on the deed.
Other common seller costs include any agreed buyer concessions, prorated property taxes, HOA estoppel and transfer fees, and a settlement or attorney fee. A good agent gives you a written net-proceeds estimate before you list, so there are no surprises at closing.
Will I owe taxes when I sell?
Most first-time sellers owe nothing. If the home was your primary residence for at least two of the last five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 of profit if you’re single, or $500,000 if married filing jointly, from federal capital-gains tax (IRS Publication 523). Florida has no state income tax, so there’s no state capital-gains tax either.
Profit above those limits — or on a property that wasn’t your primary home — may be taxable. Keep records of improvements, which raise your cost basis and lower any gain. Always confirm your situation with a tax professional.
What’s the step-by-step process to sell?
- Get a valuation. Start with a CMA and a realistic net-proceeds estimate.
- Prep and repair. Tackle the small fixes buyers notice and gather wind-mitigation and permit records.
- Stage and photograph. Professional photos and light staging drive more showings and stronger offers.
- List and market. Your agent prices the home, syndicates it across the MLS and portals, and promotes it locally.
- Show and field offers. Review price, financing, contingencies, and timing — not just the headline number.
- Negotiate and accept. Counter strategically and sign the contract with an escrow deposit.
- Inspection and appraisal. Respond to repair requests and support the appraised value with comps.
- Close. Sign, transfer the deed, and collect your proceeds — usually 30–45 days after going under contract.
Should you sell first or buy your next home first?
If you’re selling to buy your next home, you don’t have to choose between an empty-handed move and carrying two mortgages. Coordinating the two transactions — and using tools like a sale contingency or a trade-in approach — lets many homeowners move once, on their own timeline.
The Cahur Group helps first-time sellers line up their sale and purchase so the transition is seamless. Talk to us about your options before you list, and read our companion first-time buyer’s guide to Jupiter if your next move is a purchase.
How do you price a first home to sell?
With homes selling at about 94% of list price countywide, overpricing backfires — it leads to stale listings and lower final offers. The strongest strategy is to price at or just under market value to attract multiple buyers in the critical first two weeks, when a fresh listing gets the most attention.
Start with a data-backed estimate from our home value tool, then refine it with a local agent who can read your specific neighborhood’s demand.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sell a house in Florida?
Expect real estate commissions (now fully negotiable), owner’s title insurance, documentary-stamp taxes on the deed, prorated property taxes, and any HOA or settlement fees. Your agent should provide a written net-proceeds estimate before you list so you know your bottom line.
Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my home in Florida?
Often not. If the home was your primary residence for two of the last five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 of profit if single or $500,000 if married filing jointly (IRS Publication 523). Florida has no state income tax. Confirm your specifics with a tax professional.
How long does it take to sell a house in Palm Beach County?
A typical single-family home takes about 42 days to go under contract and roughly 83 days total to close (BeachesMLS, March 2026). Condos average around 71 days to contract and 111 to close.
Should I make repairs before selling my first home?
Focus on small, visible fixes and anything that affects insurability — roof, electrical, and plumbing. Major renovations rarely return their full cost, but clean, well-maintained homes sell faster and closer to asking price.
Is it better to sell or rent out my first home?
It depends on your goals, the home’s cash flow, and your next purchase. Selling unlocks equity and may qualify for the capital-gains exclusion; renting builds long-term wealth but adds landlord responsibilities. A net-proceeds and cash-flow comparison makes the choice clear.
Do I need a real estate agent to sell my home?
You can sell on your own, but in a market where pricing, disclosures, and negotiation drive your final number, most first-time sellers net more with professional representation — even after commissions, which are now negotiable.
Cibie Cahur is the founder and lead agent of The Cahur Group at Keller Williams Realty, serving Palm Beach and Martin County, Florida. A Top 1% Keller Williams agent from 2017 to 2024, she leads an eight-agent team and works with buyers and sellers in English, Spanish, and French. Reach her at 561-401-5758.
Ready to sell your first home in Palm Beach County? The Cahur Group prices, markets, and negotiates so you keep more of your equity. Call 561-401-5758 or contact us for a free net-proceeds estimate, and start with our home value tool to see what your home could sell for today.