What Is a Net Sheet in Real Estate—and Why You’ll Be Glad You Have One

Selling a home isn’t just about the final sale price—it’s about what you actually walk away with. That’s where a Net Sheet comes in.

What Is a Net Sheet?

A Net Sheet is a document—usually prepared by your real estate agent or title company—that estimates how much money you’ll take home after selling your property. It subtracts all the typical selling costs from your expected sale price, including:

• Realtor commissions (both listing and buyer’s agent)

• Closing costs (title insurance, escrow fees, etc.)

• Outstanding mortgage balance

• Property taxes and prorations

• Seller concessions or repair credits

It’s not a legal document, but it’s a powerful planning tool.

Why It’s Good to Have

Think of a Net Sheet as your financial roadmap through the selling process. It helps you:

• Set realistic expectations about your proceeds

• Compare offers based on what you’ll actually net—not just the top-line price

• Plan your next move, whether it’s buying a new home, paying off debt, or investing

• Avoid surprises at closing by understanding your costs upfront

  
  

How It Helps with Buyer’s Agent Commission

A Net Sheet helps you see the true impact of commission costs relative to your bottom line. It also allows you to evaluate offers more clearly—especially if one buyer is asking the Seller to pay the Buyer's Agent compensation and the other is not. Although Buyer A may not ask the Seller to pay the Buyer's Agent compensation, Buyer B may offer a higher sales price to offset a request for Seller to pay Buyer Agent compensation. Ultimately, it might produce a higher net result You’ll know exactly how those requests affect your net proceeds and you can better understand the bottom line. 

California Association of Realtors