Closing Cost Estimator — All
50 States

Closing costs are fees and expenses paid at the closing of a real estate transaction. They include: lender fees (origination, underwriting, appraisal), title-related fees (title search, title insurance, settlement/escrow fees), government fees (recording fees, transfer taxes, mortgage taxes), prepaid items (homeowners insurance, property tax escrow, prepaid interest), and attorney fees in states that require attorney closings. Total closing costs typically run 2–5% of the purchase price for buyers and 6–10% for sellers (dominated by real estate commissions).

Both parties typically pay closing costs, but different line items. Buyers generally pay lender fees, title insurance premiums, escrow/settlement fees, and most prepaid items. Sellers typically pay real estate agent commissions (3–6%), any outstanding liens, and sometimes a portion of transfer taxes. In some markets, seller concessions (the seller paying some of the buyer's closing costs) are negotiated as part of the purchase agreement. Transfer taxes — which can be significant in states like New York, Maryland, and Washington DC — are sometimes split between buyer and seller per local custom.

Yes, some closing costs are negotiable. Lender fees (origination fees, discount points, underwriting) are negotiable — compare loan estimates from multiple lenders. Title insurance premiums are set by the insurer but some items (endorsements, simultaneous issue discounts) can be minimized. Settlement/escrow fees vary by company. However, government fees like recording charges and transfer taxes are fixed by law and non-negotiable. In a buyer's market, sellers may agree to pay some of the buyer's closing costs (seller concessions) — this is the most common way buyers reduce their out-of-pocket at closing.

Yes. About 20 states require or strongly encourage attorney involvement at real estate closings: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (for certain transactions), Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. In these states, the closing attorney represents one or both parties and handles title examination, document preparation, and fund disbursement. Attorney fees for a residential closing typically run $500–$2,000 depending on the state and transaction complexity.

Federal law requires lenders to provide a Loan Estimate within 3 business days of a mortgage application, detailing all projected closing costs. The Closing Disclosure must be provided at least 3 business days before closing and shows final numbers. Under the TRID (TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure) rules, lenders face strict limits on how much specific fees can increase between the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure. Certain fees (those you couldn't shop for, like appraisal) cannot change at all; others (like title insurance if you use a recommended provider) cannot increase by more than 10%. Compare these documents carefully.