Closing Costs

Explained

Mortgage loan closing costs are fees that are charged in addition to the purchase price of a home when you take out a mortgage to buy a house. These fees cover a range of services and expenses associated with obtaining a mortgage, including items such as title searches, property appraisals, credit checks, and more.

The amount of closing costs you will have to pay will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your mortgage, the type of property you are buying, and the location of the property. Generally, closing costs can range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of 3% of the purchase price of the home.  Some of the most common closing costs you can expect to pay include:

Underwriting and processing: These are fees charged by the lender for processing and underwriting your mortgage application.

Appraisal fees: An appraisal is an assessment of the value of the property you are buying. The lender will typically require an appraisal to ensure that the property is worth the amount you are borrowing.

Title search and title insurance fees: The title search is a review of the property’s title records to ensure that there aren’t any outstanding claims on the property. Title insurance is a policy that protects you and the lender in the event that any issues with the title are discovered after the sale.

Recording fees: These are fees charged by the local government for recording the transfer of ownership of the property.

Survey fees: A survey is a detailed map of the property that shows the location of the property lines and any structures on the property. A lender may require a survey to ensure that the property is properly bounded and that there are no encroachments onto neighboring properties.

Closing or settlement fees: These are fees charged by the closing agent or attorney for conducting the closing process and preparing all of the necessary documents. It’s important to keep in mind that closing
costs can vary significantly from one lender to another, so it’s always a good idea to shop around and compare offers from multiple lenders to find the best deal. Additionally, you should ask for a detailed breakdown of all of the closing costs you can expect to pay so that you can better understand what you
are paying for and can budget accordingly

It’s important to keep in mind that closing costs can vary significantly from one lender to another, so it’s always a good idea to shop around and compare offers from multiple lenders to find the best deal. Additionally, you should ask for a detailed breakdown of all of the closing costs you can expect to pay so that you can better understand what you are paying for and can budget accordingly.