With a long list of charges at settlement, it's important to know what the closing costs on a house are before you start to buy.
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires your mortgage lender to give you a “good faith estimate” of all closing costs within 3 business days of submitting your application for a loan, whether you are purchasing or refinancing a home.
Many people send us e-mails asking "What is an estimate of closing costs?". The quick answer is 1.5% - 4% of the purchase price of the house.
The biggest determining factor as to whether you get to pay the 1.5% or closer to the 4% is your credit and your knowledge of the loan process.
"Do home sellers usually pay closing costs?" This is another big question we get. Sellers don't normally pay the buyers closing costs and is more a factor of the current market. They do however have certain closing costs associated with their part of the transaction.
When sellers are more desperate to sell their house the percentage of loans closed with sellers paying some or all of the buyers closing costs can be well north of 50%.
When there are few houses on the market and the sellers have no need to negotiate with the buyers that number can be near zero.
Where do they go? Some costs and fees go to third parties, some are state and local government fees that must be covered and some go to your lender.
| Origination Fee | 0.50% - 2.0% |
Mortgage Lender |
| Discount Fee | 0.50% - 2.0% | Mortgage Lender |
| Processing Fee | $0 to $500 |
Negotiable - Mortgage Lender |
| Application Fee | $0 to $350 | Junk Fee - Should never have to pay |
| Underwriting Fee | $300 to $600 |
Mortgage Lender |
| Appraisal | $250 to $500 |
Mortgage Lender |
| Credit Report | $15 to $35 | Above $35 should be considered a Junk Fee |
| Tax Service Fee | $50 to $75 |
Mortgage Lender |
| Wire Transfer Fee | $100 to $300 |
Title Company |
| Flood Determination Fee | $15 to $30 |
Mortgage Lender |
| Courier Fee | $50 to $75 |
Mortgage Lender |
| Closing or Escrow Fee | $100 to $350 |
Title Company |
| Title Insurance Fee | $400 to 1000 | Title Company |
| Homeowners' Insurance | $200 to $750 | Insurance Company |
| Buyers' Attorney | $250 to $400 |
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Section 800 Origination, Discount Points Appraisal Fee, Credit Report Inspection Fee, Processing Fee |
Section 1100 Escrow Fee, Doc Prep Fee, Notary Fee, Attorney Fee, Title Ins. |
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Section 900 Prepaid Interest, Mortgage Ins. Veterans Funding Fee |
Section 1200 Fees Paid to State and Local Government |
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Section 1000 Hazard Ins., School Tax, Flood Ins. |
Section 1300 Pest Inspection |
The numbers 801, 802, 803, etc. next to each fee represent the corresponding line used on good faith estimates (GFE's).
The origination fee is charged for evaluating and preparing your mortgage loan.
A fee borrowers pay loan officers to financially compensate them for the role they play in evaluating, processing and approving their mortgage loan. Your credit score and history will play a huge role in the amount of origination points a you pay.
Unlike discount points, origination points are not usually tax deductible.
Estimated cost: 0.5% to 2.0% of the loan amount
Discount points are a one-time fee charged by the lender and are usually used to reduce the interest rate of your mortgage loan. If you pay the points at closing, instead of financing them into your loan they are deductible on your income taxes in the year they are paid. If you're purchasing or refinancing a second home, different deductions rules will apply.
The best way to lower your interest rate is to have the seller pay the discount points if you're purchasing a home.
Estimated cost: 0% to 3% of the loan amount
The appraisal is done to ensure the loan will meet the lenders requirements with regards to loan-to-value (LTV). This fee pays for a certified appraiser to go out to the home (usually)and write a detailed report on the current condition and value of the home.
Lenders are required by federal law (the Equal Credit "Opportunity Act") to furnish a copy of the appraisal to the borrower if the borrower requests a copy in writing.
Estimated cost: $250 to $500
The credit report fee is charged to cover the cost of retrieving your credit, with scores included, so lenders can determine your credit worthiness. Keep in mind though, it is illegal for lenders, mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers or banks to charge you more than they have been charged by the company providing the credit reports.
Estimated cost: $15 to $35 per couple
LIF's are usually associated with new construction and are also called called a 442 or 1004D inspection. Since the property has not been finished when the first appraisal is completed, the 442 inspection verifies that construction is complete with carpeting and flooring installed and the inspectors have signed off.
Estimated costs: $175 to $325
This fee is outdated as no one we've heard about is still trying to charge this fee. If you do run into someone charging the fee ask them to remove it or move on to another broker/bank.
The tax fee is paid to companies which do nothing but check to see that your taxes are paid. If a tax lien does show up on your property they will notify your lender and take appropriate action.
Estimated cost: $50 to $75
The processing fee is generally charged to cover the cost of a processor. This may be a person who is either salaried (in-house) or a contracted person who is usually paid by the loan and works for many different lenders or mortgage brokers. The processor usually works directly with the loan officers and does most of the tedious work that's involved with getting your loan ready for the underwriters.
Estimated cost: $0 to $500
(The processing fee is usually negotiable)
The underwriting fee is charged by the lender to cover the cost of 1 or more persons to underwrite your loan. These underwriters will go over every piece of documentation you have submitted to your loan officer. Once it is determined that your loan does indeed fall between the guidelines set forth by the lender and all conditions have been met, the underwriter will give final approval on your loan.
Estimated cost: $300 to $600
(Some lenders may negotiate this fee, so please speak to your loan officer beforehand)
In this day and age funds are often transferred electronically. If for instance, your lender electronically transfers the funds needed to close, your title company or settlement agent then you would be charged a Wire Service Fee.
Estimated cost:$25 to $50
You'll need to pay this fee to find out whether your home is located in flood zone. If your home is in a flood zone lenders cannot make a mortgage loan for your home unless you buy flood insurance. Your lender may charge a fee to find out whether the home is in a flood hazard area.
Estimated cost: $15
(This is not the cost for flood insurance. Flood insurance would be in addition to your homeowner's insurance and may cost from $300 to $3,500, if required.)
The application fee should never be charged on a residential mortgage loan. The fee was charged decades ago before computers and the internet. At the time, competition was low between banks, lenders and mortgage brokers, so those that could get away with charging the fee did so.
Now with competition so fierce in the mortgage industry the only people charging the application fee are usually the ones trying to take advantage of borrowers.
Estimated cost: $100 to $350
The closing/escrow fee is charged by the title company for opening and running the escrow account needed for the purchase or refinance of your property.
Estimated cost: $200 - $300
The doc. prep. fee covers paperwork the escrow company prepares for your closing, such as creating the closing statement and other documents not prepared for by the lender.
Estimated cost: $125 to $250
This is charged when a notary republic is needed to witness and authenticate documents that you will need to sign at the close of your loan.
Estimate cost: $5 to $100
If your having an attorney represent you, then his fee would be listed here.
Estimated cost: $250 and up
Most lenders require a title insurance policy, this policy insures the lender against any errors made during the title search. If future problems with the title due arise, the insurance covers the lender’s investment in your mortgage.
The cost of the title policy is usually based on the loan amount and is most often paid by the buyer. However, if negotiated the seller can pay all or part of the cost. This title insurance policy protects only the lender. To protect yourself against future title problems, you may want to look at purchasing an “owner’s” title insurance policy.
Estimated cost: up to 1% of the loan amount
(Title insurance and services vary by state. For example, a lender’s policy on a $300,000 loan can range from $500 in one state to $2600 in another.
Amounts Paid to State and Local Governments
Depending on what state you live in you may be required to pay recording fees, transfer fees and/or property taxes charged by local and state governments. Most of the fees, such as recording fees & transfer fees, are one-time fees. Although you can not avoid paying these taxes and fees, you may be able to negotiate with the seller to pay some of the costs.
Estimated cost: up to 1.25% of the loan amount
Pest Inspection - 1302
The lender may require you to have a termite inspection and/or an inspection showing the structural condition of the property. If you live in a rural area you may be asked to have your septic system tested to check its general condition and water tested to ensure the condition of the well and water system will maintain a supply of water which is adequate for the house.
If water quality is an issue, the local county health department and/or lender may require a water quality test as well.
Estimated costs: $150 to $500
Your first regular mortgage payment is usually due 4 to 8 weeks after you close (for example, if you close in April, your first regular payment will not be due until June 1st. The June payment covers the cost of borrowing the money for the previous month (May).
Interest does however start to accumulate as soon as you close. The lender will calculate how much interest you owe for the month in which you closed (for example, if you closed on April 19, you would owe interest for 11 days as part of your closing cost).
Estimated cost: Depends on a few factors and is different for every borrower
Loan amount, interest rate and the number of days that must be paid for
A $240,000 loan at 6% for 15 days, would be around $600
A $285,000 loan at 6% for 15 days, would be around $712
Federal Housing Authority (FHA) requires you to pay mortgage insurance premium for its programs. You can expect to pay an upfront premium of 1.50% of the loan amount. This is paid at closing/settlement and can be financed into the mortgage.
You're also going to pay a monthly mortgage insurance payment amount included in the PITI (principle, interest, taxes and insurance) of .50%. If your purchasing a condos you are not required to pay the upfront mortgage insurance payments, only the monthly insurance payment.
If you've ever had a government loan it's a good idea to check the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development refund page. You may have a substantial refund waiting for you to claim.
Click here for direct access to the (HUD) refund page.
The lender will require that you have a homeowner’s insurance policy (hazard insurance) in effect when you close on your loan. The policy protects yourself and the lender against physical damage to the house by fire, wind, vandalism, and other causes. The policy insures the lender’s investment will be secure even if the house were to be destroyed.
If you buy a condominium, the hazard insurance may be part of your monthly condominium fee, however this usually only covers the outer skeleton of your condominium. You should still purchase homeowner’s insurance to cover interior walls plus your furnishings and valuables.
Estimated cost: $300 to $2,000
The veterans affair fee is currently just over two percent on no down payment loans for a first-time use. The funding fee for second time users who do not make a down payment is over three percent.
The basic idea behind the higher fee for second time users is based on two reasons. One is the fact these veterans have previously used their benefit once already, and second they've had a chance to accumulate equity or save money towards a down payment on their next house.
| Percent Down | Veteran Fee | National Guard Reserve Fee |
| 0% to 4.99% | 2.00% | 2.75% |
| 5% to 9.99% | 1.50% | 2.25% |
| 10% and up | 1.25% | 2.00% |
Second use with less than 5% down requires 3% funding fee.
No funding fee is required if you are a disabled veteran.
The funding fee may be financed into the loan.
Your reserve account is made up of 2 to 6 months worth of payments on reoccurring charges.
Hazard Insurance - Homeowners Insurance - 1101
Mortgage Insurance - 1102
School Tax - 1103
Taxes and Assessments - 1104
Flood Insurance - 1105
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