Recently I had someone ask me what they could expect in closing costs
and they had a hard time understanding why certain costs were included
and what the costs are exactly. This mostly explains what is itemized on
the GFE or HUD-1. Whether you have to come out of pocket for any of
these will depend on your specific situation, so keep that in mind while
you are reading. In order to help others understand, here is a quick
breakdown of what costs you may see on your Good Faith Estimate and
Final HUD-1 Settlement Statement:
- Appraisal (up to $450) – This is paid to the appraisal company to confirm the fair market value of the home.
- Credit Report (up to $30) – A Tri-merge credit report is
pulled to get your credit history and score. You cannot supply your
consumer pulled report and the scores pulled form the internet from any
place other than myfico.com are not real scores nor are they accurate.
- Closing Fee or Escrow Fee (generally calculated a $2.00 per
thousand of purchase price plus $250) – This is paid to the title
company, escrow company or attorney for conducting the closing. The
title company or escrow oversees the closing as an independent party in
your home purchase. Some states require a real estate attorney be
present at every closing.
- Title Company Title Search or Exam Fee (varies
greatly) – This fee is paid to the title company for doing a thorough
search of the property’s records. The title company researches the deed
to your new home, ensuring that no one else has a claim to the property.
- Survey Fee (up to $400) – This fee goes to a survey company
to verify all property lines and things like shared fences on the
property. This is not required in all states.
- Flood Determination or Life of Loan Coverage (up to
$20) – This is paid to a third party to determine if the property is
located in a flood zone. If the property is found to be located within a
flood zone, you will need to buy flood insurance. The insurance, of
course, is paid separately.
- Courier Fee (up to $30) – This covers the cost of transporting documents to complete the loan transaction as quickly as possible.
- Lender’s Policy Title Insurance (Calculated from the purchase
price off a rate table. Varies by company) – This is insurance to assure
the lender that you own the home and the lender’s mortgage is a valid
lien. Similar to the title search, but sometimes a separate line item.
- Owner’s Policy Title Insurance (Calculated from the purchase
price off a rate table. Varies by company) – This is an insurance policy
protecting you in the event someone challenges your ownership of the
home.
- Natural Hazards Disclosure Report - Required by law in
the state of California for the seller to give the buyer. Reports run
between $90 to $150. May be required by other states.
- Homeowners’ Insurance ($300 and up) – This covers possible damages to your home. Your first year’s insurance is often paid at closing.
- Buyer’s Attorney Fee (not required in all states – $400 and up).
- Lender’s Attorney Fee (not required in all states – $150 and up).
- Escrow Deposit for Property Taxes & Mortgage Insurance (varies widely) – Often you are asked to put down two months of property tax and mortgage insurance payments at closing.
- Transfer Taxes (varies widely by state & municipality) – This is the tax paid when the title passes from seller to buyer.
- Recording Fees (varies widely depending on municipality) – A
fee charged by your local recording office, usually city or county, for
the recording of public land records.
- Processing Fee (up to $1,000) – This goes to your lender. It reimburses the cost to process the information on your loan application.
- Underwriting Fee (up to $795) – This also goes to your lender, covering the cost of researching whether or not to approve you for the loan.
- Loan Discount Points (often zero to two percent of loan
amount) – “Points” are prepaid interest. One point is one percent of
your loan amount. This is a lump sum payment that lowers your monthly
payment for the life of your loan.
- Pre-Paid Interest (varies depending on loan amount, interest
rate and time of month you close on your loan) – This is money you pay
at closing in order to get the interest paid up through the first of the
month.
- Property Tax (usually 6 months of county property tax).
- Wood Destroying Pest Inspection and Allocation of Costs - If
required by the lender or buyer, the inspection generally runs up to
$125.00. Repairs can get expensive if evidence of termites, dry rot or
other wood damage is found. example: Fumigation of a typical 1500
square foot house could run around $2,000.
- Home Owners Association Tranfer Fees - The Seller will pay
for this transfer which will show that the dues are paid current, what
the dues are, a copy of the association financial statements, minutes
and notices. The buyer should review these documents to determine if
the Association has enough reserves in place to avert future special
assessments, check to see if there are special assessments, legal action,
or any other items that might be of concern. Also included will be
Association by-laws, rules and regulations and CCRs. The fee for
the transfer varies per association ,but generally around $200-$300.
It is important to remember that you may qualify for a lender’s
credit to make up for you having to come out of your pocket with any of
these costs, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis. To get a
free analysis of your specific situation, contact us for details.
What is typically included in closing costs?
