By Andrew Rodriguez & Tony Bertucci
Request your written cash offer or call (504) 920-4747.
The closing costs selling a house in Metairie rarely show up on the listing sheet, yet they decide what reaches your bank account. A seller can be responsible for a commission, a share of title and settlement charges, a property tax adjustment, the mortgage payoff, recorded liens and any repair credits agreed with the buyer.
Whether you own a raised ranch near the lake or a cottage off Metairie Road, the same categories apply. We buy houses across Metairie and the rest of Jefferson Parish, and a conversation with us carries no obligation.
Commission and brokerage terms
On a listed sale, the commission is a major negotiated charge. It is set in the listing agreement, not by law, and the agreement may also address the buyer’s agent. Look for transaction fees and any protection period for buyers who saw the house while it was listed.
Title work and closing fees in Jefferson Parish
Louisiana sales close through an attorney, notary or title company. That office examines the conveyance and mortgage records at the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, prepares the act of sale, records the transfer and disburses the funds. Seller charges commonly include a settlement fee, document preparation, recording of mortgage cancellations, wire charges and, depending on the agreement, part of the title insurance.
Long-held Metairie houses can need extra attention here. A home in Old Metairie that passed through several family members, or a lot that was resubdivided years ago, may have gaps in the record that must be cleared before closing. Ask for an itemized seller estimate early.
Property taxes in unincorporated Metairie
Metairie is not an incorporated city, so a typical Metairie homeowner receives a Jefferson Parish property tax bill rather than a separate city bill. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff serves as tax collector, and according to the Sheriff’s property tax overview, notices are normally mailed during the last week of November and become delinquent if not paid by December 31. Because taxes are billed late in the year, the current bill is often unpaid when a sale closes.
The closing office typically divides that year’s taxes between seller and buyer according to the purchase agreement, usually as a seller credit to the buyer. An open prior-year bill is generally paid from your proceeds with any interest and costs. Addresses near the Kenner and Harahan city limits may have a city bill too, so confirm which offices bill your property. The Sheriff’s cities and towns page explains the difference.
Get your written cash offer
Mortgage payoff and home equity lines
Your loan balance is not a closing fee, but it is paid first. The closing office requests a written payoff statement with principal, interest through the closing date and any lender charges. Do not forget an open home equity line, even an unused one. It still needs to be closed so the lender can cancel its mortgage in the public records.
Liens, judgments and old mortgages
The title search will pull anything recorded against the property or against you in Jefferson Parish. That can include money judgments, contractor liens filed after storm repairs, parish code enforcement liens, past-due tax amounts and mortgages that were paid off years ago but never formally cancelled. These generally must be paid, released or resolved before the buyer receives clear title. If you know about a judgment or an unhappy contractor, say so at the start.
Repairs, inspections and buyer credits
Metairie buyers often arrive with an inspector and an insurance agent. Roof age, electrical panels, cast iron drains, slab movement and termite damage are common topics, along with flood history. On a listed sale, those findings can become a repair list, a closing credit, a price reduction or a buyer who walks away. Some buyers also ask the seller to help with their own closing costs. These are not fees, but each one reduces what you take home.
Selling an inherited Metairie house
If you are handling a parent’s or relative’s home, we are sorry for your loss. You do not need every answer before you ask a question.
In Louisiana, heirs usually need to complete a succession before the house can be sold. That typically ends with a judgment of possession, although some smaller estates may qualify for a small succession affidavit. Costs can include attorney fees, court and recording costs, and keeping the house insured, secured and maintained in the meantime. A Louisiana succession attorney can tell your family which route fits. Our guide to selling an inherited house in New Orleans and Metairie explains more.
How a sale to Bertucci Investment Group is different
When you sell to us, you are dealing directly with the buyer. That removes several of the costs above:
- No commission. There is no listing agent on a direct sale to BIG, so there is no listing commission to pay. If you have an existing listing agreement, review its terms separately.
- As-is condition. You do not make repairs, schedule contractors or respond to an inspection repair list. Take what you want and leave the rest.
- A written cash offer. Our offer is in writing, so you can review it with family, your attorney or anyone you trust before deciding.
Some items remain part of any sale: your mortgage payoff, recorded liens and your share of prorated taxes still appear on the closing statement. Ask us which closing fees each side pays, and we will put that allocation in writing. For a comparison across the river, see our Gretna closing-costs guide.
Metairie seller closing costs FAQ
Who pays closing costs when selling a house in Metairie?
Both sides pay certain charges, and the purchase agreement decides who pays which fee. Sellers commonly pay any agreed commission, their share of title and settlement fees, the mortgage payoff, recorded liens and their portion of the year’s property taxes. Ask the closing office for an itemized seller estimate.
Does Metairie have its own city property tax?
Metairie is unincorporated, so a typical Metairie home receives a Jefferson Parish tax bill collected by the Sheriff, not a city bill. The closing office should confirm which tax accounts apply.
How are Jefferson Parish property taxes prorated at closing?
Parish taxes are billed late in the year. At closing, the year’s taxes are usually divided by the purchase agreement, and the seller credits the buyer for the seller’s share. Any unpaid prior-year bill is typically paid from the seller’s proceeds.
Do I pay a commission if I sell my Metairie house to BIG?
No. A sale to Bertucci Investment Group is a direct sale with no listing agent, so there is no listing commission. Your payoff, liens and share of prorated taxes still appear on the closing statement, and we put the fee allocation in writing.
Can I sell my Metairie house to BIG without making repairs?
Yes. We buy houses as-is. You do not need to make repairs or answer an inspection repair list.
We inherited a house in Metairie. Where do we start?
We are sorry for your loss. Start with a Louisiana succession attorney, who can explain who may sell and what documents are needed. When you are ready, we are glad to answer questions.
Talk with a local Metairie team
Andrew Rodriguez and Tony Bertucci are based in Metairie and handle every purchase personally. To compare your options, request your written cash offer below or call (504) 920-4747.