Closing Costs: What to Expect When Buying a Home

March 15, 202610 min readMortgage

Closing costs are fees you pay when finalizing your home purchase. They can add $5,000-15,000 to your upfront costs. Here's what you need to know.

How Much are Closing Costs?

Typically 2-5% of the home's purchase price. For a $300,000 home, expect $6,000-15,000 in closing costs.

Common Closing Costs

  • Loan origination fee (0.5-1% of loan)
  • Appraisal fee ($300-600)
  • Title search and insurance ($1,000-2,000)
  • Attorney fees
  • Recording fees
  • Home inspection
  • Prepaid interest and taxes

Who Pays?

Buyers typically pay most costs, but some can be negotiated. In some states, sellers pay title fees.

How to Reduce Closing Costs

  • Shop around for services
  • Negotiate with seller
  • Ask lender for credits
  • Compare loan estimates
Last updated: March 2026