Transfer Tax When Selling a Home in Fremont, Newark, Union City or Hayward
- Fremont, Newark, Union City and Pleasanton: $1.10 per $1,000.
- Hayward: $9.60 per $1,000. San Leandro: $12.10. Oakland: $16.10 per $1,000 for most homes.
- Who pays is written into your purchase contract, and local custom varies. Ask before you list, not at closing.
Almost every seller I meet knows about commission and escrow fees. Far fewer know about the documentary transfer tax, and that is the one that surprises people most when they sell in the “wrong” city. Here is how it works in our area, in plain numbers.
What is the transfer tax?
When a home sells in California, the county charges a documentary transfer tax based on the price. Some cities, called charter cities, add their own tax on top. That is why two homes selling for the same price a few miles apart can have very different costs at closing.
The rates near us
| City | Rate per $1,000 | On a $1.2M home |
|---|---|---|
| Fremont | $1.10 | about $1,320 |
| Newark | $1.10 | about $1,320 |
| Union City | $1.10 | about $1,320 |
| Pleasanton | $1.10 | about $1,320 |
| Hayward | $9.60 | about $11,520 |
| San Leandro | $12.10 | about $14,520 |
| Oakland ($300K–$2M) | $16.10 | about $19,320 |
In Fremont, Newark, Union City and Pleasanton, the $1.10 is split between Alameda County and the city, so there is nothing extra. Hayward adds $8.50 of its own, San Leandro adds $11.00, and Oakland uses tiers that rise with the price.
Who pays it?
It depends on what you and the buyer agree to in the purchase contract. Local custom varies from city to city, and in some East Bay cities the city portion is commonly split between buyer and seller. Because it is negotiable, the smart move is to decide how you will handle it before you list, so your pricing and your net proceeds reflect it.
What I recommend before you sell
- Ask for a net sheet. I prepare one for every seller: price, commission, transfer tax, title, escrow and payoff, so you know what you will actually walk away with.
- Price with the tax in mind, especially in Hayward, where it can be ten thousand dollars or more.
- Confirm with title. Your title company will calculate the exact figure. Rates can change, and some transfers (like certain family or trust transfers) are treated differently.
Curious what your home would sell for, and what you would net? Start with a free home value report, or read our city guides for Fremont and Hayward.
Quick answers
How much is the transfer tax in Fremont, CA?
$1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price, shared between Alameda County and the city. On a $1.2 million home that is about $1,320.
How much is the transfer tax in Hayward, CA?
$9.60 per $1,000: Hayward’s $8.50 city tax plus the county’s $1.10. On a $1.2 million home that is about $11,520.
Who pays transfer tax when selling a home in Alameda County?
It is set in the purchase contract and local custom varies by city. It is negotiable, so decide how you will handle it before you list.
Want to know what you would net? I'll put together a free net sheet for your home, transfer tax included, so there are no surprises at closing.
Bilal Salimi, Broker · Visionary Estates · CA DRE #01480904
Insights are general information to help you think through your options. They aren't legal, tax or financial advice, and every situation is different. Visionary Estates · 44840 S Grimmer Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538 · CA DRE #01480904 · Equal Housing Opportunity.