What you actually need
at the closing table.
Closing costs are cash you need beyond the down payment. Typically 2-5% of the home price, varying by state. This calculator estimates the buyer side with state-specific assumptions for the biggest variance items.
State note: FL: doc stamp on deed (buyer typically pays in NSB/Volusia by custom; check contract). Intangible tax on mortgage.
What's in your closing costs
The line items that add up.
Lender fees cover the work of underwriting your loan, origination, application, processing, credit report. Typically ~1% of the loan amount, sometimes negotiable.
Title insurance protects both you + the lender against undiscovered claims on the property. Premium is set by state regulation in most places + paid once at closing. Two policies (lender + owner) are typical.
Transfer tax / doc stampsis the biggest state-by-state variance. Florida charges 0.7% of the deed (typically buyer in our markets by custom, verify your contract). New York has the famous "mansion tax" (1% over $1M). Texas charges nothing.
Inspection + appraisalcover the third-party assessments lenders require. Inspection ($350-700) is for your protection; appraisal ($400-700) is for the lender's. Both are paid before closing, not at the table, but they're cash you need.
Pre-paid escrow seeds your tax + insurance escrow account so the lender can pay these on your behalf. Typically 2-3 months of each, paid at closing.
Recording fees + small chargesare the long tail, survey, deed prep, courier, notary, wire fee. Usually $500-1,500 combined.
Get a Loan Estimate
Federal TRID rules require lenders to issue an itemized closing-cost disclosure within 3 business days of your loan application. Get connected with a local lender who can walk you through the numbers.
Try the affordability math first → How much can I afford?