Real Estate

Closing Cost Calculator

Estimate home closing costs with an itemized breakdown for both buyers and sellers.

Quick Answer

Buyer closing costs run 2-5% of the purchase price. Seller costs (mainly agent commissions) add 6-10%. On a $400,000 home, buyers pay roughly $12,000-$15,000 and sellers pay roughly $25,000-$30,000.

$

Buyer Costs (3.3%)

$13,250

Seller Costs (5.8%)

$23,050

Total Costs

$36,300

ItemAmountPaid By
Loan Origination Fee (1%)$4,000buyer
Appraisal Fee$500buyer
Home Inspection$400buyer
Title Search$400buyer
Title Insurance (Owner's)$2,000buyer
Title Insurance (Lender's)$1,400buyer
Survey Fee$500buyer
Recording Fees$150buyer
Escrow / Attorney Fee$1,200both
Prepaid Property Tax (3 months)$1,200buyer
Prepaid Homeowner's Insurance (1 year)$1,500buyer
Agent Commission (Listing, 2.5%)$10,000seller
Agent Commission (Buyer's, 2.5%)$10,000seller
Transfer Tax (0.2%)$800seller
Seller Attorney / Escrow$800seller
HOA Estoppel / Payoff$250seller
Disclaimer: Closing costs vary significantly by location, lender, and transaction specifics. This calculator provides typical estimates based on national averages. Get a Loan Estimate from your lender for actual costs.

About This Tool

The Closing Cost Calculator gives you a realistic preview of the fees involved in buying or selling a home. It itemizes each cost, shows who pays it, and calculates totals for both buyer and seller sides of the transaction.

Buyer Closing Costs Explained

Buyers face loan-related costs (origination, appraisal, credit report), title costs (search, insurance), government fees (recording), and prepaid items (taxes, insurance). The loan origination fee (typically 0.5-1% of the loan amount) is often the largest single buyer cost after title insurance.

Seller Closing Costs Explained

The biggest seller expense is real estate agent commissions, traditionally 5-6% split between listing and buyer agents. Transfer taxes, title fees, and any outstanding liens or HOA assessments are also common seller costs.

Tips for Reducing Closing Costs

Shop around for lender fees, title insurance, and home insurance. Ask the seller for closing cost credits as part of your offer negotiation. Consider no-closing-cost loan options (which roll fees into a slightly higher interest rate). Every dollar negotiated off closing costs is a dollar that stays in your pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are typical closing costs for a buyer?
Buyer closing costs typically range from 2-5% of the purchase price. On a $400,000 home, expect $8,000-$20,000. This includes loan origination fees, appraisal, title insurance, prepaid taxes, and prepaid insurance.
What closing costs does the seller pay?
Sellers typically pay 6-10% of the sale price, with real estate agent commissions being the largest expense (5-6% total). Other seller costs include transfer taxes, title insurance (in some states), and their share of escrow/attorney fees.
Can closing costs be negotiated?
Yes. Lender fees (origination, processing), title company fees, and even agent commissions can often be negotiated. You can also ask the seller to contribute to your closing costs as part of the purchase agreement.
What are prepaid costs at closing?
Prepaid costs are advance payments for recurring expenses: property taxes (usually 2-6 months), homeowner's insurance (12 months), and prepaid interest (from closing day to end of month). These aren't fees — they're future expenses paid upfront.
Are closing costs tax deductible?
Some closing costs are deductible: mortgage points (origination fees), prepaid property taxes, and prepaid mortgage interest. Others like title insurance, appraisal fees, and agent commissions are not deductible for primary residences but may be for investment properties.

You might also like

Real Estate

Cash-on-Cash Return Calculator

Calculate annual cash-on-cash return on your real estate investment.

⏱ 1 minReal Estate

House Flipping Calculator

Calculate profit, ROI, and margins for fix-and-flip projects.

⏱ 2 minReal Estate

Rental Yield Calculator

Calculate gross and net rental yield on investment properties.

⏱ 1 min