The Ready Buyer: Closing Costs

Posted by Hawkins-Poe on February 17, 2019

The Ready Buyer: Closing Costs

Buyer closing costs

When a buyer applies for a loan, lenders are required to provide them with a good-faith estimate of their closing costs. The fees vary according to several factors, including the type of loan they applied for and the terms of the purchase agreement. Likewise, some of the closing costs, especially those associated with the loan application, are actually paid in advance. Some typical buyer closing costs include:

  • The down payment

  • Loan fees (points, application fee, credit report)

  • Prepaid interest

  • Inspection fees

  • Appraisal

  • Mortgage insurance (typically 1 years premium plus an escrow of 2 months)

  • Hazard insurance (typically 1 years premium plus an escrow of 2 months)

  • Escrow Services

  • Title insurance

  • Recording Fees on the note

Seller closing costs

If the seller has not yet paid for the house in full, the seller’s most important closing cost is satisfying the remaining balance of their loan. Before the date of closing, the escrow officer will contact the seller’s lender to verify the amount needed to close out the loan. Then, along with any other fees, the original loan will be paid for at the closing before the seller receives any proceeds from the sale. Other seller closing costs can include:

  • Broker’s commission

  • Excise / Transfer taxes

  • Documentary Stamps on the Deed

  • Title insurance

  • Escrow Services

  • Property taxes (prorated)

Negotiating Closing

Costs In addition to the sales price, buyers and sellers frequently include closing costs in their negotiations. For example, if a buyer is particularly nervous about the condition of the plumbing, the buyer may request the seller agree to pay for the house inspection. Likewise, a buyer may want to save on up-front expenditures, and so agree to pay the seller’s full asking price in return for the seller paying all the allowable closing costs. There’s no right or wrong way to negotiate closing costs; just be sure all the terms are written down on the purchase agreement.

Proration

At the closing, certain costs are often prorated (or distributed) between buyer and seller. The most common proration is for property taxes. Property taxes are typically paid at a different time of year than the closing of the sale, for the year they were assessed.

Download a PDF: Closing Costs