Closing costs refer to the collection of fees, taxes, commissions, and other charges that are involved in the home sale or purchase transaction. They include payments to the various professionals involved in the transaction, in addition to charges that have to be paid upfront, like the initial homeowner’s insurance payment or HOA fees. There are also fees associated with some of the legal aspects of the home sale or purchase process, such as transferring and recording the deed, conducting a title search, and getting a credit report.
- Title search
- Title insurance fees
- Transfer taxes
- Escrow fees
- Prorations for property taxes
- Agent fees (commissions)
- Miscellaneous fees
Who pays closing costs?
Both buyers and sellers are responsible for paying closing costs.
If a seller is receiving money from the equity in his or her home, closing costs will be deducted from those funds before disbursement.
For buyers, closing costs will be paid along with the remainder of his or her down payment, with a credit given for prior payments like the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) or in the event of seller help.
