Closing Costs Calculator
Estimate home closing costs for buyers or sellers.
Covers title insurance, appraisal, origination fees, attorney fees, and transfer taxes by price and state.
Closing costs are the fees and expenses paid at the final step of a real estate transaction, beyond the purchase price itself. They catch many first-time buyers off guard because they can add 2–5% of the purchase price on top of the down payment.
Formula: Total Buyer Closing Costs ≈ Purchase Price × 2–5% Total Seller Closing Costs ≈ Purchase Price × 6–10% (mainly agent commissions)
Typical buyer closing costs:
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Loan origination fee | 0.5–1% of loan |
| Discount points (optional) | 1% per point |
| Appraisal fee | $400–$700 |
| Home inspection | $300–$600 |
| Title search and insurance | $700–$2,000 |
| Attorney / closing fee | $500–$1,500 |
| Recording fees | $100–$250 |
| Prepaid homeowners insurance | $800–$1,500/yr |
| Prepaid property taxes (escrow) | 2–6 months |
| Prepaid interest (daily rate × days to month end) | Varies |
| HOA transfer fee (if applicable) | $200–$500 |
| Credit report fee | $25–$50 |
Typical seller closing costs:
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Real estate agent commissions | 5–6% (traditionally split) |
| Transfer/excise tax | 0.1–2% (varies by state) |
| Prorated property taxes | Varies |
| Attorney fees | $500–$1,500 |
| Title search | $200–$400 |
| Seller concessions (negotiated) | 0–3% |
Worked example — $350,000 purchase, 10% down: Loan amount = $315,000
Origination (0.75%): $2,363 | Appraisal: $550 | Inspection: $450 | Title: $1,200 | Attorney: $750 | Recording: $150 | Prepaid insurance: $1,100 | Prepaid taxes (3 months): $1,750 | Prepaid interest (15 days): $413
Total buyer closing costs: ~$8,726 (2.5%) Down payment: $35,000 Total cash needed at closing: $43,726
Saving strategy: Shop multiple lenders — origination fees and points vary widely. Negotiate with sellers to cover some costs (seller concessions). Close near the end of the month to minimize prepaid interest.