Selling a House in St. Petersburg: Costs, Flood & Insurance
Quick answer: A St. Petersburg seller typically pays Florida documentary stamp tax on the deed, their share of property taxes, any mortgage payoff and the listing-side commission they agreed to. In Pinellas and Hillsborough, the buyer customarily pays for the owner's title policy and picks the closing agent. The bigger variable in 2026 is not a line item at all — it is the flood and insurance questions every buyer now asks.
The costs on a Florida seller's closing statement
Documentary stamp tax on the deed — $0.70 per $100 of the sale price, customarily paid by the seller statewide. On a $430,000 sale that is $3,010.
Owner's title insurance — in Pinellas and Hillsborough, custom is for the buyer to pay and choose the title company. That is different in some nearby counties, such as Sarasota, where the seller customarily pays, and Manatee, where it varies.
Mortgage payoff and lien releases — your remaining balance plus recording the satisfaction.
Prorated property taxes — Florida property taxes are paid in arrears, so the seller typically credits the buyer for the portion of the year they owned the home.
HOA or condo estoppel certificate — the association's statement of what is owed, which the closing agent needs.
Listing-side commission — whatever you agreed to, and fully negotiable.
Every one of these allocations can be changed in the contract. The standard Florida contract lets the parties decide who pays what; county custom is only the starting point.
Flood zone and storm history: what buyers will ask
After the 2024 hurricane season, flood is the first question on a lot of Pinellas showings. Have these answers before you list:
Flood zone. Know your FEMA zone. Buyers will look it up anyway.
Elevation certificate. If you have one, it can materially change a buyer's flood insurance quote. If you do not, consider getting one before listing a home in a high-risk zone.
Your flood policy. Whether you carry flood insurance, what it costs, and whether it is a policy the buyer may be able to take over.
Water history. Did the house take water, when, and what was repaired and permitted. Florida sellers must disclose known facts that materially affect value and are not readily observable.
The substantial damage (49%) rule in Pinellas
For homes in flood hazard areas, Pinellas County applies a substantial damage and substantial improvement rule. If the cost to repair a damaged home is 49% or more of the structure's value — not counting the land — the home is considered substantially damaged and cannot simply be repaired back to how it was. It has to be brought into compliance with current floodplain rules, which usually means elevating or rebuilding.
This matters when you sell. A substantial damage determination on file changes what a buyer can do with the property and how it should be priced. Pinellas County has an online lookup where owners can check for a mailed determination on their address. Check it before you list so neither you nor your buyer is surprised during due diligence.
Insurance can make or break the deal
Many Florida buyers cannot close until they have bound homeowners and, where required, flood coverage. Older homes often need these to be insurable at a reasonable price:
Four-point inspection — roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC.
Wind mitigation report — documents roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections and opening protection, which can lower premiums.
Roof age and permit history. An older roof is one of the most common reasons buyers renegotiate or walk.
Getting these done before you list lets buyers price insurance on day one instead of discovering a problem in week three.
If you are moving to another Florida home: portability
If you have a homestead exemption and are buying another Florida home, you may be able to carry part of your Save Our Homes benefit with you — up to $500,000 of the difference between market and assessed value — provided you establish the new homestead within the allowed window and apply by March 1 of that tax year. The Pinellas County Property Appraiser explains the details and the application.
Keep more of the sale
Our listing fee is 1% of the sale price plus a small transaction fee, with full marketing, pricing and negotiation. On a $430,000 St. Pete sale, that can be several thousand dollars more in your pocket than a traditional listing fee. See how the 1% program works, read whether Tampa Bay is a buyer's or seller's market right now, or get in touch for a net sheet on your home.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm costs, customs and exemptions with your title company or Florida real estate attorney. In Florida, Zack DeCaro is a licensed sales associate with Dalton Wade Real Estate Group.
