Definition of "Gross Sales Price"

Jo Ellyn Yturraspe real estate agent

Written by

Jo Ellyn Yturraspeelite badge icon

Coldwell Banker Realty

The definition of gross sales price in real estate refers to the combined cost of a property or listing before subtracting the real estate agent’s commission, sales tax and other auxiliary fees. In short, it is the price, in its entirety, that the buyer must pay in order to purchase the property. This differs from net sales price, the amount that the seller takes away from the transaction. 

In the following section, we will provide an example of the use of gross sales price as opposed to net sales price. 

Example of gross sales price 

Steve is an ambitious real estate investor who makes his living flipping homes on the housing market of several cities around the country. With nearly a decade of experience, Steve has little difficulty making a tidy profit off of each home he invests in. Upon finding a run down but structurally sound two story home for sale in a rapidly growing neighborhood, Steve doesn’t hesitate to quickly snatch it up. 

However, bad fortune awaits Steve in his home flipping enterprises. With a severe market downturn occurring almost overnight in the area the home is located in, the value of the home plummets before it is fully renovated and prepared for sale. Desperately trying to break even, Steve does everything possible to expedite the renovation process and posts it for sale as soon as it is complete. 

Market downturn notwithstanding, Steve is able to find a buyer willing to pay an amount that would seemingly allow Steve to break even. However, being an experienced real estate investor, Steve is painfully aware of the difference between net sales price and gross sales price. 


With the housing market in a slump, Steve is forced to sustain a net loss on his investment, after all the auxiliary costs contributing to the gross sales price are subtracted from the amount paid by the buyer. This is an example of gross sales price in real estate.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Right to property depends on some occurrence. ...

Placed by the federal government on a individual's real property for federal estate tax or income tax law violations. In the case of a federal estate tax lien, upon the owner's death, the ...

Increase in the value of property caused by inflation. For example, John buys a home for $150,000. Because of inflation, the home is worth $200,000 five years later. The inflation equity in ...

Articles of personal property installed by a tenant under the terms of a lease for purposes of use in his or her trade or business, Trade fixtures are removable by the tenant before the ...

Individual making the payments in a mortgage or pledging a mortgage or property. ...

A corporation that owns housing units and whose tenants purchase shares in the corporation equivalent to the value of their housing unit. Also called co-ops. ...

Principal highway designed to divert traffic around a major urban area in order to limit congestion and expedite traffic flow. A belt highway is connected to the urban area by main highways ...

The transfer of a property deed from one person to another without publicly recording it. The recording of a deed in a public office gives constructive notice of the act of the sale and ...

Rights granted to owners of property restricted to conservation use, historic preservation, or some other low density function to sell to other landowners allowing them to develop their ...

Popular Real Estate Questions