Wholesale fee calculator
Work out how much assignment fee a deal can carry while still leaving the end buyer their margin. Results are estimates.
Last reviewed October 26, 2026 by the Trident team.
How do you calculate a wholesale assignment fee?
An assignment fee is the difference between what the end buyer pays to take over your contract and the price you agreed with the seller. To find the most a deal can carry, take the buyer's maximum price, usually ARV × 70% minus repairs, and subtract your contract price. Then subtract any costs you carry.
Buyer's max price = ARV × buyer percentage − repairs Max assignment fee = buyer's max price − your contract price − your costsWhat is an example wholesale deal?
A Tampa, Florida house has an ARV of $300,000 and needs $45,000 of repairs. A cash buyer using 70% will pay up to $300,000 × 0.70 − $45,000 = $165,000. If you have it under contract at $150,000, the spread is $15,000, and after $500 of your own costs the deal can carry about $14,500.
| Your contract price | Gross spread | Spread as % of ARV |
|---|---|---|
| $140,000 | $25,000 | 8.3% |
| $150,000 | $15,000 | 5.0% |
| $160,000 | $5,000 | 1.7% |
| $170,000 | −$5,000 (no deal) | — |
How do I get the assignment fee paid?
You sign a purchase contract with the seller that allows assignment, then sign an assignment agreement with the cash buyer for your fee. The buyer usually puts down a non-refundable deposit, and the title company pays your fee at closing from the buyer's funds. Use an investor-friendly title company or attorney to handle the closing.
In Trident, dispositions and buyer blasts send the deal to your cash buyers with the recipient count and cost shown first, and contract templates with fill-in fields cover the paperwork. See pricing or start a trial. Related: assignment fee, double close, MAO calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a typical assignment fee?
There is no standard amount. The fee is whatever spread exists between your contract price with the seller and what a cash buyer will pay, and it varies with the market, the price point and the deal. Rather than aim for a number, work back from the buyer's maximum price, as this calculator does.
Does the end buyer see my assignment fee?
Usually, yes. On an assignment, the buyer signs an assignment agreement that shows the price, and the fee often appears on the settlement statement. If a large fee would cause problems, some wholesalers use a double close instead, which has its own costs. Ask a local real estate attorney which suits your state.
Is wholesaling legal?
Wholesaling is legal in many states, but rules differ. Some states require a real estate license to market a property you do not own, or require disclosures to the seller and buyer. Check your state's current rules and use a local attorney or title company for contracts.