MD's closing costs are considered high. The state charges a transfer tax of .5%, and each county charges on top of that.
Maryland closing costs, transfer taxes | MD good faith estimate
Sample:
Recordation Tax $5.00 per thousand
Transfer Tax 1.5% (1% County + .5% State)
Pro-rated property taxes, water and sewer (if applicable).
Real estate agents in these parts demand 7% (in a better market, one could negotiate 6%). Then there is the cost of "staging" your house - often, the owner has to move half his belongings to rented storage so the house won't look like anybody lives there (heaven forfend).
In my view, everything that comes out of your pocket is part of the cost of selling your house. Don't forget the cost of upgrades and repairs to make the home attractive to buyers. Obviously this will vary from home to home, neighborhood to neighborhood. It is amazing what you will have learned to live with - or not even notice - that can cause a buyer to reject your house, or offer far less.
I would also factor in whatever it will cost to move into the new home/apartment/condo.
These are things that keep us up at night, regarding selling our current home and moving to a more retiree-friendly (in terms of taxes) state.
Amethyst