8 Types of Fees Commonly Included in Home Buyer Closing Costs

The Fees That Make Up Closing Costs

So you’ve toured the home you wish to purchase, you’ve scoped out the nearest dog park, and now you’re ready to close your home loan. Mortgage closing costs cover expenses associated with getting a home loan, from inspections and appraisals to title insurance, taxes and more.

Home Buyers Pay 3-5% of the Home’s Value in Closing Costs

On average, the home buyer’s closing costs are equivalent to 3-5% of the home’s value (home sellers additionally pay an average of 1-3% of the home’s value in closing costs). Let’s take a closer look at what fees make up your closing costs.

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8 Types of Fees Commonly Included in Home Buyer Closing Costs

Loan Origination and Application Fees

The loan origination fee is an upfront fee that is charged by the lender to process a new home loan application. Additionally, the application fee is the cost associated with the application you initially filled out to see the maximum loan amount you could qualify for.

Appraisal Fee

The appraisal fee covers the cost to have a professional appraiser come out and evaluate a home and estimate the market value of the home. This fee varies between $300-$500 depending on where you live.

Transfer taxes

A transfer tax is a tax on the passing of a title to property from one person to another.

Recording Fees

A recording fee is the fee charged by a government agency for registering a real estate purchase or sale, so that the information is open to the public. Typically recording fees are charged by the county.

Discount Points

The fee associated with lowering an interest rate. The more points you pay, the lower your interest rate. A buyer can typically buy from zero to three points, depending on how much they want to lower their interest rate.

Title Insurance

This insurance policy that protects against loss should the condition of title to land be other than as insured.

Miscellaneous Fees

These fees include document preparation, courier charges, notary fees, administrative fees, and document review fees.

Other Fees

These fees can include a few months of prorated HOA fees, property taxes, and any fees associated with the builder if the house is brand new.

When you’re making the decision to buy your home you’ve got a lot on your mind, so don’t let closing costs confuse you. Talk to your mortgage lender and title officer and they can lay out estimated closing cost amounts before you go into to officially pay closing costs. Once you have a clear understanding of how much you will have to pay at closing, you can budget for this amount when thinking about your overall house expenses.

Looking to buy or sell a home? Contact us and we’ll help you calculate the total cost including closing fees so there are no surprises when you sign on the dotted line.