{ "title": "Closing costs by state", "page": "https://payotte.com/usa/by-state/closing-costs", "compiled": "2026-10-14", "license": "CC BY 4.0 — cite Payotte (https://payotte.com) with a link to the page", "states": { "alabama": { "name": "Alabama", "code": "AL", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/alabama/closing-costs", "answer": "Alabama has no official typical closing-cost total; the state fixes a deed tax of $0.50 per $500 of price and a mortgage tax of $0.15 per $100 borrowed, which come to $250 and $300 on a $250,000 sale with a $200,000 loan.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Jefferson County Probate Court: $16 for the first page and $3 for each additional page (schedule effective June 1, 2012), plus an $11 indexing and filing fee per instrument (Code of Alabama 45-37-84.43).", "biggest_items": "Deed tax ($0.50 per $500 of price), mortgage tax ($0.15 per $100 borrowed), title insurance (insurer's filed rate), lender charges.", "example": "$250,000 Birmingham home with a $200,000 loan: deed tax $250, mortgage tax $300, recording $33 (deed) and $69 (mortgage); fixed lines total $652, before title premium and lender charges.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Statutes do not say who pays the deed or mortgage tax; the contract decides.", "sources": [ { "title": "Code of Alabama § 40-22-1, deed tax (Alabama Legislature)", "url": "https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=40-22-1&title=40&chapter=22" }, { "title": "Code of Alabama § 40-22-2, mortgage tax (Alabama Legislature)", "url": "https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=40-22-2&title=40&chapter=22" }, { "title": "Recording Costs, effective 6/1/2012 (Probate Court of Jefferson County)", "url": "https://jeffcoprobatecourt.com/recording/recording-costs/" } ] }, "alaska": { "name": "Alaska", "code": "AK", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/alaska/closing-costs", "answer": "Alaska has no official typical closing-cost total; it charges no transfer tax (AS 43.98.035), and recording a deed costs $20 for the first page and $5 for each additional page.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "$20 for the first page, $5 for each additional page, and $2 for each name indexed over six (11 AAC 05.200, Alaska DNR).", "biggest_items": "Title insurance (insurer's filed rate), escrow and closing charges (filed schedule), lender charges. No transfer tax.", "example": "$400,000 Anchorage home with a $320,000 loan: transfer tax $0, recording a 5-page deed $40, recording a 20-page deed of trust $115.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No statute read sets who pays each cost; the contract decides.", "sources": [ { "title": "AS 43.98.035, No tax on real property transfers (Alaska Legislature)", "url": "https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#43.98.035" }, { "title": "Recording Fees, 11 AAC 05.200 (Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Recorder's Office)", "url": "https://dnr.alaska.gov/ssd/recoff/fees" }, { "title": "AS 21.66.310 to 21.66.370 and 21.66.460, Title insurance rates, rebates and escrow charges (Alaska Legislature)", "url": "https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#21.66.370" } ] }, "arizona": { "name": "Arizona", "code": "AZ", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/arizona/closing-costs", "answer": "Arizona has no official typical closing-cost total; it charges no transfer tax, the county recorder charges $30 per instrument, and title insurers must charge their filed rates.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "$30 per instrument ($15 if a government body is a party and requests it), A.R.S. 11-475; the $2 transfer fee is included in the $30.", "biggest_items": "Lender fees, title premium (insurer's filed rate), escrow fee, prorated property tax. No transfer tax.", "example": "$400,000 Phoenix home: transfer tax $0, recording the deed $30 and the deed of trust $30, fixed recording total $60.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Statutes read do not divide costs between buyer and seller.", "sources": [ { "title": "Arizona Constitution, Article 9, Section 24 (Arizona Legislature)", "url": "https://www.azleg.gov/const/9/24.htm" }, { "title": "A.R.S. § 11-475, county recorder fees (Arizona Legislature)", "url": "https://www.azleg.gov/ars/11/00475.htm" }, { "title": "A.R.S. §§ 20-376 to 20-379, title insurance rates (Arizona Legislature)", "url": "https://www.azleg.gov/ars/20/00376.htm" } ] }, "arkansas": { "name": "Arkansas", "code": "AR", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/arkansas/closing-costs", "answer": "Arkansas has no official typical closing-cost total; the state transfer tax is $3.30 per $1,000 of consideration ($660 on a $200,000 sale) and Pulaski County recording is $15 for the first page plus $5 per added page.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Pulaski County: $15 for the first page (one side) and $5 for each additional page, $15 per extra instrument in the same document up to $300; schedule dated 2019, confirm with the clerk.", "biggest_items": "State transfer tax ($3.30 per $1,000), title insurance and escrow (no official schedule read), lender charges.", "example": "$200,000 Little Rock home: transfer tax $660, deed recording $35, deed of trust recording $70; public lines total $765.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. DFA pages do not say whether buyer or seller bears the transfer tax.", "sources": [ { "title": "Real Property Transfer Tax (Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration)", "url": "https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/taxes/excise-tax-administration/miscellaneous-tax/arkansas-miscellaneous-tax-laws/real-property-transfer/" }, { "title": "Real Estate Fee Schedule (Pulaski County Circuit/County Clerk)", "url": "https://media.ark.org/pulaskiclerk/Fee_Schedule_-_Real_Estate.pdf" }, { "title": "What is a Loan Estimate? (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)", "url": "https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-loan-estimate-en-1995/" } ] }, "california": { "name": "California", "code": "CA", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/california/closing-costs", "answer": "California has no official typical closing-cost total; transfer taxes are set by county and city, for example $1.10 per $1,000 in Los Angeles County plus $4.50 per $1,000 in the City of Los Angeles, or $5,600 on a $1,000,000 home.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Los Angeles County grant deed: $15 base fee, $7 fraud notification fee, $2 restrictive covenant modification fee and $3 per additional page; $10 survey monument fee if the legal description is not on a recorded tract map; $20 if no Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is filed.", "biggest_items": "Transfer taxes (county and some cities), title insurance (insurer's filed rate), escrow fee, lender charges, supplemental property tax bill about six months after purchase.", "example": "$1,000,000 City of Los Angeles home with an $800,000 loan: county transfer tax $1,100, city transfer tax $4,500, recording $30 and $69; fixed lines total $5,699.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No official source sets a default buyer/seller split; the contract and escrow instructions do.", "sources": [ { "title": "Documentary Transfer Taxes (Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk)", "url": "https://lavote.gov/home/records/property-document-recording/documentary-transfer-taxes" }, { "title": "Recording Fees (Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk)", "url": "https://lavote.gov/home/records/property-document-recording/fees" }, { "title": "Real Property Transfer Tax and Measure ULA FAQ (City of Los Angeles Office of Finance)", "url": "https://finance.lacity.gov/faq/measure-ula" } ] }, "colorado": { "name": "Colorado", "code": "CO", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/colorado/closing-costs", "answer": "Colorado has no official typical closing-cost total; the state documentary fee is $0.01 per $100 of price ($62.50 on $625,000) and Denver charges a flat $43 to record each real estate document.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Denver Clerk and Recorder: flat $43 per real estate document (as of October 2026); since July 1, 2025 county clerks charge a flat $40 instead of per-page fees (HB24-1269).", "biggest_items": "Owner's title policy (seller if seller selects the title company, buyer if buyer does), closing services fee, lender charges, prorated property tax.", "example": "$625,000 Denver purchase: documentary fee $62.50, deed recording $43, deed of trust recording $43; fixed fees total $148.50.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Standard contract CBS1 section 15.1 says buyer and seller each pay their respective closing costs unless the contract says otherwise.", "sources": [ { "title": "Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 39, Article 13, documentary fee (Office of Legislative Legal Services)", "url": "https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-39.pdf" }, { "title": "Record Documents, recording and documentary fees (Denver Clerk and Recorder)", "url": "https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Denver-Clerk-and-Recorder/Recording-Division/Denver-Recording/document-recording" }, { "title": "CBS1 Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate (Residential), adopted August 5, 2025, mandatory use date January 1, 2026 (Colorado Real Estate Commission)", "url": "https://dre.colorado.gov/sites/dre/files/documents/Contract%20to%20Buy%20and%20Sell%20Real%20Estate%20(Residential)%20V2%20(fillable)_for%20use%20on%20or%20after%20January%201,%202026.pdf" } ] }, "connecticut": { "name": "Connecticut", "code": "CT", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/connecticut/closing-costs", "answer": "Connecticut has no official typical closing-cost total; by law the seller pays the conveyance tax (0.75% state plus 0.25% or 0.5% municipal, 1.25% state above $800,000), and recording a deed costs $70 for the first page.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Seller owes the conveyance tax by statute: $3,750 on a $300,000 Hartford sale, before any commission or payoff (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Town clerk: $10 for the first page and $5 for each later page, plus $10 per document and a $50 community investment fee per document; first page of a deed costs $70. Add-ons: $2 (documents under 10-261b), $5 (no grantee mailing address), $1 (names not typed).", "biggest_items": "Conveyance tax (seller), lender charges, title insurance and attorney fees (no official rate table read), recording fees.", "example": "$300,000 Hartford sale with a 3-page deed: state conveyance tax $2,250 plus Hartford tax $1,500 equals $3,750 (seller); deed recording $80.", "note": "The article gives no typical total or percentage for buyer or seller; seller_text is the statutory conveyance tax from the worked example, not a typical total. Hartford's 0.5% municipal rate is from a 2020 state report.", "sources": [ { "title": "Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 223, Real Estate Conveyance Tax, §§ 12-494 and 12-495 (Connecticut General Assembly)", "url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_223.htm" }, { "title": "Real Estate Conveyance Tax, OLR Report 2020-R-0020 (Connecticut General Assembly, Office of Legislative Research)", "url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/2020/rpt/pdf/2020-R-0020.pdf" }, { "title": "Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 92, Town Clerks, Sec. 7-34a, fees, 2026 Supplement (Connecticut General Assembly)", "url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/sup/chap_092.htm" } ] }, "delaware": { "name": "Delaware", "code": "DE", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/delaware/closing-costs", "answer": "Delaware has no official typical closing-cost total; the realty transfer tax is 4% of the price (2.5% state plus 1.5% county or municipal), with the state share apportioned equally between buyer and seller, and each recorded document carries $30 in state add-ons.", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: buyer's half of the 2.5% state transfer tax is $3,750 on a $300,000 sale ($2,250 for a first-time buyer); local tax payer set by ordinance.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: seller's half of the 2.5% state transfer tax is $3,750 on a $300,000 sale (commission not included); between the parties the grantor bears the burden absent agreement (30 Del. C. 5412).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "County recording fees are set by county ordinance (check with the Recorder); plus a $5 Housing Development Fund surcharge and a $25 Delaware Cultural Access Fund fee per document (9 Del. C. 9607(b)).", "biggest_items": "Realty transfer tax (4% total), title insurance (rates filed with the Department of Insurance), lender charges, attorney and settlement fees.", "example": "$300,000 sale with a 1.5% local tax: state tax $7,500, local tax $4,500, each side's half of the state tax $3,750 (first-time buyer reduction $1,500 for a $2,250 share); state recording add-ons $30 per deed.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. State transfer tax is split equally by statute; local tax payer is set by the city or county ordinance.", "sources": [ { "title": "Delaware Code Title 30, Chapter 54, Realty Transfer Tax (Delaware General Assembly)", "url": "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title30/c054/sc01/index.html" }, { "title": "Form RTT-TAX Instructions, revised 10/17/24 (Delaware Division of Revenue)", "url": "https://revenuefiles.delaware.gov/2024/Business_Tax_Forms_2024_2025/RTT-TAX_2024-01_Instructions.pdf" }, { "title": "Delaware Code Title 9, Chapter 96, Recorders (Delaware General Assembly)", "url": "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title9/c096/index.html" } ] }, "florida": { "name": "Florida", "code": "FL", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/florida/closing-costs", "answer": "Florida has no official typical closing-cost total; the deed carries documentary stamp tax of 70 cents per $100 (60 cents in Miami-Dade), a new mortgage adds 35 cents per $100 and a 2-mill intangible tax, and the owner's title premium is $2,575 at $500,000.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Miami-Dade Clerk: $10 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page of most documents, and $1 per name over four (as of October 2026).", "biggest_items": "Deed documentary stamp tax (70 cents per $100), owner's title premium (state-set rate), mortgage stamp tax (35 cents per $100), intangible tax (2 mills of the loan).", "example": "$500,000 Miami home with a $400,000 mortgage: deed stamp tax $3,000, mortgage stamp tax $1,400, intangible tax $800, owner's title policy $2,575, lender's policy $25, recording $27 and $129; government and title lines total $7,956.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Florida law does not assign most costs; all parties to a stamp-taxed document are liable, and the contract decides who pays.", "sources": [ { "title": "Rule 69O-186.003, Title Insurance Rates, Florida Administrative Code (Florida Department of State)", "url": "https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=69O-186.003" }, { "title": "Florida Documentary Stamp Tax (Florida Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/taxesfees/Pages/doc_stamp.aspx" }, { "title": "Official Records: recording fees and taxes (Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller)", "url": "https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/official-records.page" } ] }, "georgia": { "name": "Georgia", "code": "GA", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/georgia/closing-costs", "answer": "Georgia has no official typical closing-cost total; the transfer tax is $1 per $1,000 of price ($400 on $400,000) and the intangible recording tax is $1.50 per $500 borrowed ($960 on $320,000).", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: intangible recording tax is owed by the lender and may be passed to the borrower, $960 on a $320,000 loan.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: transfer tax is the seller's by law (contract may shift it), $400 on a $400,000 home (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Fulton County clerk: $25.00 for deeds or any instrument pertaining to real estate (as of October 2026); each county sets its own schedule.", "biggest_items": "Intangible recording tax on the loan, transfer tax, lender charges, title insurance and closing attorney fee (set by providers).", "example": "$400,000 Atlanta home with a $320,000 loan: transfer tax $400, intangible recording tax $960, deed recording $25.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Transfer tax is the seller's by law but the contract may shift it to the buyer; the intangible tax is owed by the lender and may be passed to the borrower.", "sources": [ { "title": "Real Estate Transfer Tax (Georgia Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://dor.georgia.gov/real-estate-transfer-tax" }, { "title": "Intangible Recording Tax (Georgia Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://dor.georgia.gov/intangible-recording-tax" }, { "title": "Fee Schedule (Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts, Fulton County)", "url": "https://www.fultonclerk.org/400/Fee-Schedule" } ] }, "hawaii": { "name": "Hawaii", "code": "HI", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/hawaii/closing-costs", "answer": "Hawaii has no official typical closing-cost total; the seller pays the conveyance tax by state rule ($1,600 on an $800,000 sale at the 2025 schedule) and recording a deed in the Regular System costs $41 per document up to 50 pages.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Seller pays the conveyance tax by state rule: $1,600 on an $800,000 sale if the buyer can claim the county homeowner's exemption, $2,000 if not (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Bureau of Conveyances: $41 per document up to 50 pages in the Regular System, $36 in the Land Court system (as of October 2026).", "biggest_items": "Conveyance tax (seller, $0.10 to $1.00 per $100, higher rates if buyer lacks homeowner's exemption), escrow fee, title insurance, lender charges.", "example": "$800,000 Honolulu sale to an owner-occupier: conveyance tax $1,600 (seller), deed recording $41, mortgage recording $41.", "note": "The article gives no typical total or percentage for buyer or seller; seller_text is the conveyance tax from the worked example. Buyer pays the conveyance tax only if a government agency is the seller.", "sources": [ { "title": "Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 18, Chapter 247, Conveyance Tax, unofficial compilation as of 12/31/2025 (Hawaii Department of Taxation)", "url": "https://files.hawaii.gov/tax/legal/har/har_247.pdf" }, { "title": "Recording Fees (Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances, Department of Land and Natural Resources)", "url": "https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/boc/recording-fees-new/" }, { "title": "Instructions for Form P-64A, Rev. 2025 (Hawaii Department of Taxation)", "url": "https://files.hawaii.gov/tax/forms/current/p64ains.pdf" } ] }, "idaho": { "name": "Idaho", "code": "ID", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/idaho/closing-costs", "answer": "Idaho has no official typical closing-cost total; no transfer tax was found, recording costs $15 for a deed and $45 for a deed of trust in Ada County, and title premiums and escrow fees are filed with the state.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Ada County Clerk (as of October 2026): $15 for a deed, $45 for a deed of trust, $15 for a reconveyance, each up to 30 pages, then $3 per page beyond 30.", "biggest_items": "Owner's and lender's title policies (filed rates), escrow fee (filed with the Department of Insurance), lender charges, survey and inspection.", "example": "$500,000 Boise home: deed recording $15, deed of trust $45, reconveyance of the seller's loan $15, transfer tax $0; a buyer with a mortgage paying both buyer-side recordings owes $60.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No transfer tax found in the sources read. Statutes read do not assign costs between buyer and seller.", "sources": [ { "title": "Idaho Code § 41-2706, title insurance rates (Idaho Legislature)", "url": "https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title41/T41CH27/SECT41-2706/" }, { "title": "Recording Fees, Property Records (Ada County Clerk)", "url": "https://adacounty.id.gov/clerk/property-records/" }, { "title": "Idaho Code § 41-2705, title insurance supervision and escrow fees (Idaho Legislature)", "url": "https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title41/t41ch27/sect41-2705/" } ] }, "illinois": { "name": "Illinois", "code": "IL", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/illinois/closing-costs", "answer": "Illinois has no official typical closing-cost total; the Cook County Clerk charges $107 to record a deed or mortgage, and Chicago transfer taxes total $6.00 per $500 of price (state $0.50, county $0.25, city $5.25).", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: by default the buyer owes the Chicago city transfer tax portion ($3.75 per $500), $2,561.25 on a $341,200 home, plus recording the mortgage ($107).", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: by default the seller owes the state, county and CTA transfer taxes, $1,536.75 on a $341,200 Chicago home (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Cook County Clerk (effective April 1, 2024): $107 per deed, mortgage, release, easement or miscellaneous document; $19 less for documents not subject to the state rental housing fee; $5 for mail return.", "biggest_items": "Chicago transfer taxes ($6.00 per $500), title premium and settlement fee (no state schedule), lender charges.", "example": "Chicago home at the $341,200 median value: transfer taxes total $4,098 (buyer owes $2,561.25 city portion, seller $1,536.75 by default), deed recording $107, mortgage recording $107.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. By default the Chicago city portion ($3.75) falls on the buyer and the CTA portion ($1.50) plus state and county taxes on the seller.", "sources": [ { "title": "Recording Fees (Cook County Clerk, Recordings Division)", "url": "https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/recordings/recording-fees" }, { "title": "Transfer Fees (Cook County Clerk, Recordings Division)", "url": "https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/recordings/transfer-fees" }, { "title": "Real Property Transfer Tax (7551) (City of Chicago Department of Finance)", "url": "https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/revenue/tax_list/real_property_transfertax.html" } ] }, "indiana": { "name": "Indiana", "code": "IN", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/indiana/closing-costs", "answer": "Indiana has no real estate transfer tax and no official typical closing-cost total; Marion County deed fees total $65, and filed title charges run $700 to $1,035 for a $250,000 purchase with a loan.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Marion County: Assessor $10 per parcel per document and $20 per sales disclosure form, Recorder $35 per document; $65 for one parcel and one deed. No separate mortgage fee found; other counties set their own.", "biggest_items": "Owner's title policy ($600 to $800 base rate at $250,000, median $755), lender charges, prepaids and escrow, separate title search and closing fees.", "example": "$250,000 Indianapolis purchase: transfer tax $0, Marion County deed fees $65, filed title charges $700 to $1,035 (median $1,000).", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The purchase contract decides who pays county and title charges.", "sources": [ { "title": "Record Your Deed (Marion County Recorder and Assessor, indy.gov)", "url": "https://www.indy.gov/activity/record-your-deed" }, { "title": "Title Insurance Rating Tool, filed rates for residential policies (Indiana Department of Insurance)", "url": "https://www.in.gov/dA/2222e83bb3/Title-Insurance-Rating-Tool.xlsx?language_id=1" }, { "title": "Sales Disclosure Form Overview, August 20, 2025 (Indiana Department of Local Government Finance)", "url": "https://www.in.gov/dlgf/files/2025-presentations/250820-Crisler-Marusaraz-Presentation-Sales-Disclosure-Form-Overview.pdf" } ] }, "iowa": { "name": "Iowa", "code": "IA", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/iowa/closing-costs", "answer": "Iowa has no official typical closing-cost total; the transfer tax is $0.80 per $500 of price above $500, Iowa Title Guaranty charges a flat $175 up to $750,000, and Polk County charges $12 for a deed's first page.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller is liable for the transfer tax, $340.80 on a $213,300 Des Moines home (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Polk County: $12 for a deed's first page (includes a $5 transfer fee per parcel), $7 for a mortgage, $5 for each added page. Statewide base in 331.604 is $5 per page plus $1 and $1 add-on fees.", "biggest_items": "Iowa Title Guaranty certificate ($175 flat), transfer tax ($0.80 per $500, seller by statute), lender fees (origination capped at 2% of principal), abstract and attorney opinion.", "example": "Des Moines home at the $213,300 median value: transfer tax $340.80, title guaranty $175 (owner free if lender coverage issued at the same time), deed recording $22, mortgage recording $77.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Seller is liable for the transfer tax by statute; the contract can allocate it.", "sources": [ { "title": "Iowa Code chapter 428A, Real Estate Transfer Tax, Code 2026 (Iowa Legislature)", "url": "https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/428A.pdf" }, { "title": "Residential Premium Rates, effective July 1, 2023 (Iowa Title Guaranty)", "url": "https://www.iowafinance.com/media/5252/download?inline" }, { "title": "Recording Fees, Real Estate Department (Polk County Recorder)", "url": "https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/county-recorder/real-estate-department/recording-fees/" } ] }, "kansas": { "name": "Kansas", "code": "KS", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/kansas/closing-costs", "answer": "Kansas has no official typical closing-cost total; it repealed its 0.26% mortgage registration tax in 2019, found no transfer tax, and Johnson County charges $21 for the first page and $17 for each added page to record.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Johnson County Register of Deeds (October 2026): $21 for the first page and $17 for each additional page of a deed or mortgage; includes Heritage Trust Fund and technology fees (K.S.A. 28-115).", "biggest_items": "Lender charges, title premium (each company's filed rate), survey and inspection, prorated property tax.", "example": "$400,000 Overland Park home with a $320,000 loan: deed recording $55, mortgage recording $259, mortgage registration tax $0 (the old 0.26% would have been $832), transfer tax $0.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No official source read assigns costs between buyer and seller; the contract decides.", "sources": [ { "title": "Recording Fees (Johnson County Register of Deeds)", "url": "https://www.jocogov.org/department/treasury-taxation-and-vehicles/register-deeds/recording-fees" }, { "title": "Mortgage Registration Tax and Statutory Fees for Recording Documents (Kansas Legislative Research Department)", "url": "https://klrd.gov/2023/11/22/mortgage-registration-tax-and-statutory-fees/" }, { "title": "K.S.A. 40-952, title insurance rate filings (Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes)", "url": "https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch40/040_009_0052.html" } ] }, "kentucky": { "name": "Kentucky", "code": "KY", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/kentucky/closing-costs", "answer": "Kentucky has no official typical closing-cost total; the seller pays a transfer tax of $0.50 per $500 of value ($242 on a $241,700 sale) and recording a deed costs $33 for up to five pages plus a $4 state tax.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller (grantor) owes the transfer tax, $242 on a $241,700 Louisville home (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "KRS 64.012: $33 for a deed or deed of trust of up to five pages, $3 per additional page, $4 per additional reference; $63 for a real estate mortgage up to 30 pages; $10 clerk storage reimbursement; plus a $4 state tax on each conveyance and each mortgage (KRS 142.010).", "biggest_items": "Transfer tax ($0.50 per $500, seller), title insurance (filed rates, no table read), lender charges, appraisal, survey and inspection.", "example": "$241,700 Louisville home: transfer tax $242, deed recording $43 plus $4 state tax, mortgage recording $73 plus $4 state tax; government-set lines total $366.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage.", "sources": [ { "title": "KRS 142.050, Real estate transfer tax (Kentucky Legislature)", "url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=43160" }, { "title": "KRS 64.012, Fees of county clerks (Kentucky Legislature)", "url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=57720" }, { "title": "KRS 142.010, State taxes on legal processes and instruments (Kentucky Legislature)", "url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=57816" } ] }, "louisiana": { "name": "Louisiana", "code": "LA", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/louisiana/closing-costs", "answer": "Louisiana has no official typical closing-cost total; the Civil Code puts the expenses of the act of sale on the buyer by default, recording in Orleans Parish costs $100 to $300 by page count plus a $5 portal fee and a $30 building fund fee, and New Orleans levies a $300 documentary tax on the seller.", "buyer_text": "Civil Code art. 2463 says the expenses of the act and other expenses incidental to the sale must be borne by the buyer (no amount given).", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory item only, not a total: the New Orleans documentary tax of $300 on a single-family sale is the seller's by ordinance (the Clerk's page says $325); commission not included.", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Orleans Parish Clerk (schedule effective April 1, 2021): $100 for 1 to 5 pages, $200 for 6 to 25 pages, $300 for 26 to 50 pages then $5 per page, plus a $5 portal fee and a $30 building fund fee per recording; conveyance certificate $35, mortgage certificate $20, cancelling a mortgage $50.", "biggest_items": "Notary and closing fees (no official schedule), title insurance (filed rates, none read), recording fees, New Orleans documentary tax ($300, seller).", "example": "Financed New Orleans purchase with a 12-page act of sale and a 25-page mortgage: recording $235 plus $235 equals $470; documentary tax paid by the seller $300.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The Clerk's page says the documentary tax is $325 while the City Code says $300.", "sources": [ { "title": "Land Records Division Fee Schedule, effective April 1, 2021 (Orleans Parish Clerk of Civil District Court)", "url": "https://orleanscivilclerk.com/images/LandRecordsFeeSheetHonChelseyRichardNapoleon.pdf" }, { "title": "Louisiana Civil Code Articles 1833, 1839, 2440 and 2463 (Louisiana Legislature)", "url": "https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109078" }, { "title": "New Orleans Code of Ordinances, Chapter 150, Article V, Documentary Transaction Tax (Municode)", "url": "https://library.municode.com/la/new_orleans/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH150TA_ARTVDOTRTA" } ] }, "maine": { "name": "Maine", "code": "ME", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/maine/closing-costs", "answer": "Maine has no official typical closing-cost total; the transfer tax is $2.20 per $500 of price, split half and half between buyer and seller by law, and registries charge $35 per recorded instrument.", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the buyer owes half the transfer tax, $1,100 on a $500,000 sale, plus lender charges.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller owes half the transfer tax, $1,100 on a $500,000 sale (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "$35 per instrument recorded (33 M.R.S. 751(1)(B)); plans cost $45. A deed and a mortgage are two instruments.", "biggest_items": "Transfer tax ($2.20 per $500; extra $3.80 per $500 above $1 million from November 1, 2025), lender charges, title work and insurance (no official table read).", "example": "$500,000 sale: transfer tax $2,200 ($1,100 each side), deed recording $35, mortgage recording $35.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage.", "sources": [ { "title": "Title 36 M.R.S. § 4641-A, Rate of tax; liability for tax (Maine Legislature)", "url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/36/title36sec4641-A.html" }, { "title": "Title 33 M.R.S. § 751, Registers of deeds, fee schedule (Maine Legislature)", "url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/33/title33sec751.html" }, { "title": "Transfer Tax (Maine Revenue Services)", "url": "https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/property-tax/transfer-tax" } ] }, "maryland": { "name": "Maryland", "code": "MD", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/maryland/closing-costs", "answer": "Maryland has no official typical closing-cost total; the State transfer tax is 0.5% of the price, Baltimore City adds a 1.5% transfer tax and $5 per $500 recordation tax, and recording a residential instrument costs $60.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Circuit Court clerk (schedule effective September 2, 2026): $60 per instrument involving solely a principal residence other than a release; release of 9 pages or fewer $50; other instruments $60 under 9 pages and $115 over 10 pages.", "biggest_items": "Transfer and recordation taxes (State 0.5%, Baltimore City 1.5% plus $5 per $500), title premium (regulated), settlement fees (not regulated), lender charges.", "example": "$350,000 Baltimore home with an $280,000 loan: State transfer tax $1,750, city transfer tax $5,250, city recordation tax $3,280, recording $120; taxes total $10,280.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. If the contract is silent, transfer and recordation taxes are shared equally; for a first-time Maryland buyer occupying the home, the seller pays the State tax (0.25%) and, unless the contract says otherwise, the local taxes.", "sources": [ { "title": "Maryland Tax-Property Article § 13-203, State transfer tax (Maryland General Assembly)", "url": "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gtp§ion=13-203&enactments=false" }, { "title": "Baltimore City Code, Art. 28, Subtitles 16 and 17 (City of Baltimore Law Library)", "url": "https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/28/17-2" }, { "title": "Summary of Charges, Costs, and Fees of the Clerks of the Circuit Court, effective September 2, 2026 (Maryland Judiciary)", "url": "https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/circuit/feesummaryschedule.pdf" } ] }, "massachusetts": { "name": "Massachusetts", "code": "MA", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/massachusetts/closing-costs", "answer": "Massachusetts has no official typical closing-cost total; the seller pays the deeds excise of $2.28 per $500 of price outside Barnstable County ($3,648 on $800,000), and recording a deed costs $100 plus a $50 surcharge.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller (person who signs the deed) owes the deeds excise, $3,648 on an $800,000 Boston sale; the seller must also equip the home with approved smoke detectors (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Deed $100 plus $50 community preservation surcharge; mortgage $150 plus $50 surcharge; declaration of homestead $30 (G.L. c. 262, 38; c. 44B, 8). The registry may add charges for extra pages or copies.", "biggest_items": "Deeds excise ($2.28 per $500, seller), lender charges, title work and insurance (no premium set), legal fees.", "example": "$800,000 Boston purchase: deeds excise $3,648 (seller), deed recording $150, mortgage recording $200.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Barnstable County has a higher excise rate.", "sources": [ { "title": "G.L. c. 64D, §§ 1 and 2, deeds excise (Massachusetts Legislature)", "url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleIX/Chapter64D/Section1" }, { "title": "G.L. c. 262, § 38, registers of deeds' fees (Massachusetts Legislature)", "url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleVI/Chapter262/Section38" }, { "title": "G.L. c. 44B, § 8, community preservation surcharge on recording fees (Massachusetts Legislature)", "url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter44B/Section8" } ] }, "michigan": { "name": "Michigan", "code": "MI", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/michigan/closing-costs", "answer": "Michigan has no official typical closing-cost total; in Wayne County the seller owes transfer tax of $8.60 per $1,000 of value ($1,720 on $200,000) and recording a deed costs $30 per document.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller owes state and county transfer tax of $1,720 on a $200,000 Wayne County sale, which the article states equals 0.86% of the price (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Wayne County Register of Deeds (schedule effective January 1, 2026): $26 plus a $4 state survey and remonumentation fee where it applies, $30 per document whatever the page count; a purchase with a mortgage usually records two documents, about $60.", "biggest_items": "Transfer tax (state $3.75 plus county $0.55 per $500 in Wayne County, seller), title premium and closing fees (no schedule read), lender charges, prorated property tax.", "example": "$200,000 Wayne County sale: state transfer tax $1,500, county transfer tax $220, total $1,720 (seller); deed recording $30, mortgage recording $30.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The buyer must notify the local assessor within 45 days; the sale lifts the taxable value cap.", "sources": [ { "title": "State Real Estate Transfer Tax Act, MCL 207.523 and 207.525 (Michigan Legislature)", "url": "https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-207-525" }, { "title": "Real Estate Transfer Tax (county) Act, MCL 207.502 and 207.504 (Michigan Legislature)", "url": "https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-207-504" }, { "title": "Document Recording, fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 (Wayne County Register of Deeds)", "url": "https://www.waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Register-of-Deeds/Document-Recording" } ] }, "minnesota": { "name": "Minnesota", "code": "MN", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/minnesota/closing-costs", "answer": "Minnesota has no official typical closing-cost total; in Hennepin County the seller owes a 0.34% deed tax and a borrower owes a 0.24% mortgage registry tax, plus a $46 recording fee per document and a $5 conservation fee.", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the borrower owes the mortgage registry tax, $768 on a $320,000 loan in Hennepin County (0.24%), plus recording fees.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller owes the deed tax, $1,360 on a $400,000 Minneapolis sale (0.34%), commission not included; a $54 well disclosure certificate applies if the seller knows of a well.", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Hennepin County: $46 per deed or other instrument (Minn. Stat. 357.18), $5 conservation fee on each deed or mortgage that pays tax, $54 well disclosure certificate when a well is known.", "biggest_items": "Deed tax (0.34% of price, seller), mortgage registry tax (0.24% of loan, borrower), lender charges, title and closing services.", "example": "$400,000 Minneapolis home with a $320,000 loan: deed tax $1,360, mortgage registry tax $768, conservation fees $10, recording $92; taxes total $2,128 before fees.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Minneapolis requires a Truth in Sale of Housing evaluation by the seller before showing the home.", "sources": [ { "title": "Minnesota Statutes § 287.21, deed tax (Office of the Revisor of Statutes)", "url": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/287.21" }, { "title": "Minnesota Statutes § 287.035, mortgage registry tax (Office of the Revisor of Statutes)", "url": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/287.035" }, { "title": "Record land title documents: recording fees, taxes and requirements (Hennepin County)", "url": "https://www.hennepin.us/PropertyRecording" } ] }, "mississippi": { "name": "Mississippi", "code": "MS", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/mississippi/closing-costs", "answer": "Mississippi has no official typical closing-cost total; the Department of Revenue lists no tax on deed transfers, and recording a deed costs $25 for the first five pages and $1 for each extra page.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Chancery clerk (Miss. Code 25-7-9, in force through December 31, 2027): $25 for the first five pages and $1 per extra page for a deed, deed of trust, release or cancellation; certifying a copy $1.", "biggest_items": "Lender charges, title work and owner's policy (no official schedule), appraisal, survey and inspection.", "example": "$150,000 Jackson home: transfer tax $0, deed recording $25, deed of trust recording $32, release of seller's old mortgage $25.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No transfer tax found. Sources read do not assign costs between buyer and seller.", "sources": [ { "title": "Miss. Code § 25-7-9, chancery clerk fees, text in force January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027 (S.B. 2792, 2024 Regular Session, conference report; Mississippi Legislature)", "url": "https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2024/pdf/cr/SB2792CR.pdf" }, { "title": "Mississippi Tax Structure (Mississippi Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://www.dor.ms.gov/forms-resources/taxpayer-guidance/mississippi-tax-structure" }, { "title": "Property Tax Frequently Asked Questions (Mississippi Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://www.dor.ms.gov/county-services/property-tax-frequently-asked-questions" } ] }, "missouri": { "name": "Missouri", "code": "MO", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/missouri/closing-costs", "answer": "Missouri has no official typical closing-cost total; no transfer tax was found (the Constitution bars new ones since December 2, 2010) and in the City of St. Louis a standard deed costs $25 for the first page plus $5 per extra page to record.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds: standard deed $25 for the first page and $5 per additional page; nonstandard deed $50 for the first page plus $5 per page. State base (RSMo 59.310): $5 first page, $3 per extra page, plus $25 for a document not meeting format rules.", "biggest_items": "Lender charges, title insurance and settlement fees (no premium table), St. Louis Certificate of Inspection ($120), appraisal and inspection.", "example": "$214,500 St. Louis home: transfer tax $0, recording a 3-page deed $35, City Certificate of Inspection $120 if required.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No transfer tax found. The contract decides who pays the $120 St. Louis inspection application.", "sources": [ { "title": "RSMo 59.310, recorder of deeds fees (Missouri Revisor of Statutes)", "url": "https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=59.310" }, { "title": "File Land Records, fee schedule (City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds)", "url": "https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/recorder/land/land-records.cfm" }, { "title": "Missouri Constitution, Article X, Section 25 (Missouri Revisor of Statutes)", "url": "https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X%20%20%2025&constit=y" } ] }, "montana": { "name": "Montana", "code": "MT", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/montana/closing-costs", "answer": "Montana has no official typical closing-cost total; it has no transfer tax, recording costs $20 for the first page and $10 for each added page, and title insurers may charge only their filed rates.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "MCA 7-4-2632: $20 for the first page and $10 for each additional page for documents recorded by a photographic or similar process; the deed and the security instrument are recorded separately.", "biggest_items": "Owner's and lender's title policies (insurer's filed rate), escrow fee (not set by statute), lender charges, survey and inspection.", "example": "$400,000 Billings home: transfer tax $0, 3-page deed recording $40, 15-page deed of trust recording $160; statutory lines total $200.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No transfer tax. Statutes read do not assign costs between buyer and seller.", "sources": [ { "title": "MCA 7-4-2632, fee when recording done by mechanical means (Montana Legislature)", "url": "https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0070/chapter_0040/part_0260/section_0320/0070-0040-0260-0320.html" }, { "title": "MCA 33-25-212, rates filed with commissioner (Montana Legislature)", "url": "https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0330/chapter_0250/part_0020/section_0120/0330-0250-0020-0120.html" }, { "title": "MCA 33-25-201, escrow, closing, or settlement services (Montana Legislature)", "url": "https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0330/chapter_0250/part_0020/section_0010/0330-0250-0020-0010.html" } ] }, "nebraska": { "name": "Nebraska", "code": "NE", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/nebraska/closing-costs", "answer": "Nebraska has no official typical closing-cost total; the documentary stamp tax is $3.32 per $1,000 of value since July 18, 2026 ($996 on a $300,000 sale), placed on the seller by statute, and recording costs $10 for the first page and $6 for each added page.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller (grantor) owes the documentary stamp tax, $996 on a $300,000 sale (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Register of deeds (Neb. Rev. Stat. 33-109): $10 for the first page and $6 for each additional page of a deed, mortgage or release.", "biggest_items": "Documentary stamp tax ($3.32 per $1,000, seller), title insurance (one all-inclusive fee under filed rates), lender charges, closing fee.", "example": "$300,000 sale: documentary stamp tax $996, 2-page deed recording $16, 15-page mortgage recording $94.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The tax rate was $2.32 from September 3, 2025 to July 17, 2026.", "sources": [ { "title": "Nebraska Revised Statute 76-901, documentary stamp tax rate (Nebraska Legislature)", "url": "https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-901" }, { "title": "Nebraska Revised Statute 33-109, recording fees (Nebraska Legislature)", "url": "https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=33-109" }, { "title": "Nebraska Revised Statute 44-1997, title insurance premium rate filings (Nebraska Legislature)", "url": "https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=44-1997" } ] }, "nevada": { "name": "Nevada", "code": "NV", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/nevada/closing-costs", "answer": "Nevada has no official typical closing-cost total; in Clark County the transfer tax is $2.55 per $500 of value ($2,550 on $500,000), the Recorder charges $42 per document, and the State Bar says transfer tax, recording and escrow fees are often split equally.", "buyer_text": "Custom per State Bar of Nevada, not a total: buyer commonly pays the lender's title policy and new loan costs, and shares transfer tax, recording and escrow fees often split equally (transfer tax $1,275 each on a $500,000 Las Vegas sale).", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Custom per State Bar of Nevada, not a total: seller commonly pays the buyer's owner title policy and usually the broker's fee, and shares transfer tax equally ($1,275 on a $500,000 Las Vegas sale).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Clark County Recorder: $42.00 per document (schedule effective January 1, 2020); a deed plus a deed of trust is about $84; card payments carry a 2% fee plus $1.25 per transaction.", "biggest_items": "Transfer tax ($2.55 per $500 in Las Vegas), title insurance and escrow fees (filed with the Division of Insurance), lender charges.", "example": "$500,000 Las Vegas sale: transfer tax $2,550 ($1,275 each if split equally), recording a deed and a deed of trust about $84.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The State Bar describes custom, not a statute; the contract and escrow instructions decide.", "sources": [ { "title": "Real Property Transfer Tax (Nevada Department of Taxation)", "url": "https://tax.nv.gov/tax-types/real-property-transfer-tax" }, { "title": "Fees, fee schedule effective January 1, 2020 (Clark County Recorder)", "url": "https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/elected_officials/county_recorder/fees" }, { "title": "Real Estate Escrows and Title Insurance, legal information brochure, updated 2023 (State Bar of Nevada)", "url": "https://nvbar.org/wp-content/uploads/SBN-Public-Info-Brochure-Real-Estate-fn.pdf" } ] }, "new-hampshire": { "name": "New Hampshire", "code": "NH", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/new-hampshire/closing-costs", "answer": "New Hampshire has no official typical closing-cost total; the state transfer tax is $0.75 per $100 of price for the buyer and again for the seller ($3,000 each on a $400,000 home), and recording costs $10 for the first page and $4 per added page plus a $25 charge on deeds and mortgages.", "buyer_text": "Fixed by law, not a total: $3,162 on a $400,000 Manchester home with a $320,000 loan (transfer tax $3,000, deed recording $51, mortgage recording $111); lender, title, attorney and inspection costs are extra.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Fixed by law, not a total: $3,000 transfer tax on a $400,000 home plus the cost of discharging the old mortgage (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Register of deeds: $10 for the first page plus $4 per added page; discharge of mortgage $15 for the first page plus $4 per added page; plus a $25 charge on each deed, mortgage, discharge or plan (RSA 478:17-g), paid by the grantee on a deed, the borrower on a mortgage, and the party discharging on a discharge.", "biggest_items": "Transfer tax ($0.75 per $100, each side), lender charges, title insurance and attorney fees (no figure read).", "example": "$400,000 Manchester home with a $320,000 loan and a 5-page deed and 20-page mortgage: buyer fixed costs $3,162, seller fixed costs $3,000 plus the mortgage discharge.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The Insurance Department's title page was not accessible, so no title premium or attorney fee is given.", "sources": [ { "title": "RSA 78-B, Tax on Transfer of Real Property, sections 78-B:1, 4 and 10 (New Hampshire General Court)", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/V/78-B/78-B-mrg.htm" }, { "title": "RSA 478:17-g, Recording Fees and Surcharge (New Hampshire General Court)", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLVIII/478/478-17-g.htm" }, { "title": "Real Estate Process (City of Manchester Tax Collector)", "url": "https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Tax-Collector/Real-Estate-Process" } ] }, "new-jersey": { "name": "New Jersey", "code": "NJ", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/new-jersey/closing-costs", "answer": "New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance tells buyers to expect one-time closing costs of about 3% to 4% of the sale price, and sellers owe the State Realty Transfer Fee, $4,655 on a $550,000 sale.", "buyer_text": "About 3% to 4% of the total sale price in one-time closing costs (NJ Department of Banking and Insurance guide), on top of the down payment, escrow deposits and prepaid insurance.", "buyer_percent": [ 3, 4 ], "seller_text": "Realty Transfer Fee of $4,655 on a $550,000 sale, imposed on the seller; plus a Graduated Percent Fee of 1% to 3.5% if the price is above $1 million (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": null, "biggest_items": "Buyer: loan application, credit report, appraisal, commitment and lock-in fees, inspections, title insurance, survey, escrow deposits, points. Seller: Realty Transfer Fee, Graduated Percent Fee above $1 million, brokerage compensation, mortgage payoff.", "example": "$550,000 Newark sale: buyer one-time costs $16,500 to $22,000 (3% to 4%); seller's Realty Transfer Fee $4,655.", "note": "Recording fees not given. Seller percent is null because the article gives a dollar fee on a $550,000 sale, not a percent of price. At $1,500,000 the seller would owe $15,625 in Realty Transfer Fee plus $15,000 in Graduated Percent Fee.", "sources": [ { "title": "Buying a Home: A Guide for New Jersey Consumers (NJ Department of Banking and Insurance)", "url": "https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_consumers/pdf/buyingahome.pdf" }, { "title": "Realty Transfer Fee (NJ Division of Taxation)", "url": "https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/realty.shtml" }, { "title": "Memorandum: Amendments to Graduated Percent Fee on Realty Transfers over $1 Million, July 2, 2025 (NJ Division of Taxation)", "url": "https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/pdf/lpt/GraduatedPercentFeeNotice.pdf" } ] }, "new-mexico": { "name": "New Mexico", "code": "NM", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/new-mexico/closing-costs", "answer": "New Mexico has no official typical closing-cost total; it has no transfer tax, recording in Bernalillo County costs $25 per document, and the Superintendent of Insurance sets title prices, such as $100 for a lender's policy issued with an owner's policy.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Bernalillo County Clerk (October 2026): $25 per document for up to 10 entries, and another $25 for each additional group of 10 or fewer.", "biggest_items": "Owner's title premium (state-set table, not retrieved), lender fees, escrow and settlement fees, appraisal, inspection and survey.", "example": "$400,000 Albuquerque purchase with a $320,000 loan: lender's title policy $100, title commitment $100, recording deed and mortgage $50, transfer tax $0; fixed lines subtotal $250.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No transfer tax found. A seller's broker commission is subject to gross receipts tax; the homeowner's own sale is exempt.", "sources": [ { "title": "Title Insurance Forms & Tables (New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance)", "url": "https://osi.state.nm.us/en/insurance-professionals/title-insurance-forms/" }, { "title": "Recording and Filing, service fees (Bernalillo County Clerk)", "url": "https://www.berncoclerk.gov/recording-and-filing/" }, { "title": "Appendix 13.14.18 NMAC: New Mexico Promulgated Title Insurance Forms with the Corresponding Rates, adopted June 27, 2025 (Office of Superintendent of Insurance)", "url": "https://osi.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Revised-Title-Ins-Rate-Table-Updated-9.30.2025.pdf" } ] }, "new-york": { "name": "New York", "code": "NY", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/new-york/closing-costs", "answer": "New York has no official typical closing-cost total; on a $640,000 loan in New York City the mortgage recording tax is $13,890 (buyer about $12,290, lender $1,600), and sellers pay the 0.4% state transfer tax.", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: on a $640,000 New York City loan the borrower owes about $12,290 of mortgage recording tax; the buyer also owes the 1% mansion tax on prices of $1 million and up and generally pays both title policies.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller owes the 0.4% state transfer tax, $3,200 on an $800,000 house; the NYC transfer tax of $11,400 on that price is assigned by contract (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "New York City: $32 plus $5 per page plus a $5 cover page for a deed or mortgage (a two-page document costs $42); mortgage tax affidavit $8. Counties outside the city set their own fees.", "biggest_items": "Mortgage recording tax (NYC combined $13,890 on a $640,000 loan), NYC transfer tax (1.425% above $500,000), state transfer tax (0.4%), mansion tax (1% from $1M), title policies.", "example": "$800,000 New York City house with a $640,000 loan: state transfer tax $3,200, NYC transfer tax $11,400, mortgage tax $13,890 (buyer $12,290, lender $1,600); total transfer tax on the sale $14,600.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The article says rounding can shift results by a few dollars.", "sources": [ { "title": "Tax Law § 253, Mortgage recording tax (New York State Senate)", "url": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/TAX/253" }, { "title": "Mortgage Recording Tax (NYC Department of Finance)", "url": "https://www.nyc.gov/site/finance/property/property-mortgage-recording-tax-mrt.page" }, { "title": "ACRIS Recording Fees (NYC Department of Finance)", "url": "https://www.nyc.gov/site/finance/property/property-uniform-commercial-code-ucc-financing-statement.page" } ] }, "north-carolina": { "name": "North Carolina", "code": "NC", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/north-carolina/closing-costs", "answer": "North Carolina has no official typical closing-cost total; the seller owes the state excise tax of $1 per $500 ($864 on $431,900), recording a deed costs $26 and a deed of trust $64 in the county schedules read, and a North Carolina attorney handles the closing.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller owes the state excise tax, $864 on a $431,900 Charlotte home, and pays off the existing mortgage from proceeds (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Brunswick and Craven counties: $26 for the first 15 pages of an ordinary instrument then $4 per added page; $64 for a deed of trust for the first 35 pages then $4 per added page; no fee for a satisfaction of a deed of trust; $25 extra for nonstandard documents. Mecklenburg's own schedule was not read.", "biggest_items": "Excise tax ($1 per $500, seller), closing attorney fee (no rate table read), lender charges, lender's title policy.", "example": "$431,900 Charlotte home: excise tax $864 (seller), deed recording $26, deed of trust recording $64, local transfer tax $0.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. County fees come from Brunswick and Craven schedules, not Mecklenburg.", "sources": [ { "title": "Table 49, Excise Stamp Tax on Conveyances, G.S. 105 Article 8E (North Carolina Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://www.ncdor.gov/documents/reports/table49-1/open" }, { "title": "Fees (Brunswick County Register of Deeds)", "url": "https://brunswickcountync.gov/996/Fees" }, { "title": "Fee Schedule (Craven County Register of Deeds)", "url": "https://cravencountync.gov/317/Fee-Schedule" } ] }, "north-dakota": { "name": "North Dakota", "code": "ND", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/north-dakota/closing-costs", "answer": "North Dakota has no official typical closing-cost total; it has no transfer tax and the county recorder charges $20 to record a deed or mortgage of one to six pages.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "N.D.C.C. 11-18-05: $20 for one to six pages, or $65 for more than six pages plus $3 for each page after the first 25; $10 extra for a document without the required margins.", "biggest_items": "Lender charges, title insurance and escrow (no premium table), survey, inspection, prorated property tax.", "example": "Fargo purchase recording a 4-page deed ($20) and an 8-page mortgage ($65), transfer tax $0.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No transfer tax. The Insurance Department says the owner's title policy payer is negotiable and in many areas sellers pay.", "sources": [ { "title": "North Dakota Century Code, Chapter 11-18, Recorder (North Dakota Legislative Branch)", "url": "https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t11c18.pdf" }, { "title": "Title Insurance (North Dakota Insurance Department)", "url": "https://www.insurance.nd.gov/title-insurance" }, { "title": "North Dakota Century Code, Title 57 (Taxation), chapter list (North Dakota Legislative Branch)", "url": "https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t57.html" } ] }, "ohio": { "name": "Ohio", "code": "OH", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/ohio/closing-costs", "answer": "Ohio has no official typical closing-cost total; in Franklin County the deed carries a conveyance fee of $3 per $1,000 of price plus a $0.50 transfer tax, and the Recorder charges $34 for the first two pages and $8 per extra page.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Franklin County Recorder (October 2026): $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page, plus $20 for a nonstandard document and $4 per marginal reference indexed (ORC 317.32).", "biggest_items": "Conveyance fee ($3 per $1,000 in Franklin County), lender charges, title insurance and escrow (no official schedule), survey and inspection.", "example": "$300,000 Franklin County sale with a 3-page deed: conveyance fee $900 ($300 state plus $600 county; $300 if the seller has the homestead exemption), transfer tax $0.50, deed recording $42.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The article does not say who pays the conveyance fee; the county's reduced rate for a seller with the homestead exemption points to the seller.", "sources": [ { "title": "Transfer Tax and Conveyance Fee Calculator (Franklin County Auditor)", "url": "https://audr-apps.franklincountyohio.gov/calc/conveyancefee" }, { "title": "Recording Fees (Franklin County Recorder)", "url": "https://franklincountyohio.gov/Agency-Directory/Recorder/Real-Estate/Recording-Fees" }, { "title": "Transfer and Conveyance: Exemptions (Franklin County Auditor)", "url": "https://auditor.franklincountyohio.gov/Real-Estate/Transfer-and-Conveyance/Exemptions" } ] }, "oklahoma": { "name": "Oklahoma", "code": "OK", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/oklahoma/closing-costs", "answer": "Oklahoma has no official typical closing-cost total; the state fixes a documentary stamp tax of $0.75 per $500 on the deed, a mortgage tax of $0.10 per $100 borrowed (five years or more), and county recording fees of $8 for the first page plus $2 per extra page and a $10 preservation fee.", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: mortgage tax, $200 plus a $10 treasurer's certification on a $200,000 mortgage (payable by the borrower, lender or another interested party), recording fees, and the buyer's title commitment at buyer's expense.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the documentary stamps, $375 on a $250,000 sale, fall on the person who makes, signs or sells the deed, normally the seller; the day of closing is the seller's day for tax proration (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "County clerk (28 O.S. 32): $8 for the first page of a deed or mortgage, $2 per additional page, and $10 per instrument for records preservation; nonconforming instruments cost $25 for the first page and $10 per additional page.", "biggest_items": "Documentary stamp tax ($0.75 per $500), mortgage tax ($0.10 per $100), title commitment or policy (no premium schedule), lender charges, prorated property tax.", "example": "$250,000 Oklahoma City sale with a $200,000 mortgage: documentary stamps $375, mortgage tax $200, treasurer's certification $10, deed recording $22, mortgage recording $46; fixed lines total $653.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage.", "sources": [ { "title": "68 O.S. § 3201-3203, Documentary stamp tax (Oklahoma Legislature, statutes compilation)", "url": "https://www.oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os68.rtf" }, { "title": "68 O.S. § 1904, Real estate mortgage tax (Oklahoma Legislature, statutes compilation)", "url": "https://www.oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os68.rtf" }, { "title": "28 O.S. § 32, County clerk fees (Oklahoma Legislature, statutes compilation)", "url": "https://www.oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os28.rtf" } ] }, "oregon": { "name": "Oregon", "code": "OR", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/oregon/closing-costs", "answer": "Oregon has no official typical closing-cost total; it has no transfer tax (Constitution Art. IX, section 15) and Multnomah County charges $86 to record the first page of a deed and $5 for each additional page.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Multnomah County (October 2026): $86 for the first page and $5 for each additional page for deeds and deeds of trust; $5 more for a cover page and $5 more for a document with a second transaction. State law sets $5 per page (ORS 205.320) plus fixed state amounts of $1, $10 and $60 per instrument (ORS 205.323).", "biggest_items": "Owner's and lender's title policies (filed rates, no table), escrow fee (rate schedule filed by each agent), lender charges.", "example": "$500,000 Portland home with a $400,000 loan: deed recording $96, deed of trust recording $181, transfer tax $0; recording lines total $277.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No transfer tax. Statutes read do not say who pays the title policy, escrow fee or recording fees. Nonresident sellers face income tax withholding from proceeds unless an exception applies.", "sources": [ { "title": "Recording Fees (Multnomah County)", "url": "https://multco.us/info/recording-fees" }, { "title": "ORS 205.320 and 205.323, recording fees (Oregon Legislature)", "url": "https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors205.html" }, { "title": "Oregon Constitution, Article IX, Section 15 (Oregon Legislature)", "url": "https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/Pages/OrConst.aspx" } ] }, "pennsylvania": { "name": "Pennsylvania", "code": "PA", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/pennsylvania/closing-costs", "answer": "Pennsylvania has no official typical closing-cost total; the realty transfer tax is 1% to the state plus local tax, 4.578% in Philadelphia ($11,610 on $253,600), usually split between buyer and seller, and Philadelphia charges $278.75 to record a deed.", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: if the Philadelphia transfer tax is split evenly the buyer's half is $5,805 on a $253,600 home, plus recording the mortgage ($248.75).", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: if the Philadelphia transfer tax is split evenly the seller's half is $5,805 on a $253,600 home (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Philadelphia Department of Records (October 2026): $278.75 for a deed and $248.75 for a mortgage; the city raised these fees by $3 on July 1, 2025. Other counties set their own fees.", "biggest_items": "Realty transfer tax (4.578% in Philadelphia: 3.578% city plus 1% state), title insurance (no premium table), lender charges.", "example": "$253,600 Philadelphia home: city transfer tax $9,074, state transfer tax $2,536, total $11,610 ($5,805 each if split), deed recording $278.75, mortgage recording $248.75.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Both buyer and seller are liable to the state; the city says the tax is usually split evenly but this is not required.", "sources": [ { "title": "Realty Transfer Tax (Pennsylvania Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/resources/tax-types-and-information/realty-transfer-tax" }, { "title": "Realty Transfer Tax (City of Philadelphia, Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/property-taxes/realty-transfer-tax" }, { "title": "Document recording and service fees (Philadelphia Department of Records)", "url": "https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-records/document-recording-and-service-fees/" } ] }, "rhode-island": { "name": "Rhode Island", "code": "RI", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/rhode-island/closing-costs", "answer": "Rhode Island has no official typical closing-cost total; the conveyance tax is $3.75 per $500 of price ($3,000 on a $400,000 sale), paid by the seller unless the contract says otherwise, and recording a warranty deed costs $80 and a mortgage $60.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller normally owes the conveyance tax, $3,000 on a $400,000 sale (second $3.75 per $500 on residential value above $800,000), plus $45 to record a mortgage discharge (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "R.I. Gen. Laws 34-13-7: warranty or quitclaim deed $80, mortgage $60, discharge of mortgage $45, assignment or partial release $45, and $1 per additional page. Recording is in the city or town where the property sits.", "biggest_items": "Conveyance tax ($3.75 per $500, seller), lender charges, title insurance and attorney fees (no premium schedule read), recording fees.", "example": "$400,000 Providence sale with a $320,000 loan: conveyance tax $3,000, deed recording $80, mortgage recording $60, seller's mortgage discharge $45 (plus $1 per extra page).", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage.", "sources": [ { "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-25-1, Real estate conveyance tax (Rhode Island General Assembly)", "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE44/44-25/44-25-1.htm" }, { "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-13-7, General recording fees (Rhode Island General Assembly)", "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-13/34-13-7.htm" }, { "title": "Recorder of Deeds (City of Providence)", "url": "https://www.providenceri.gov/recorder-of-deeds/" } ] }, "south-carolina": { "name": "South Carolina", "code": "SC", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/south-carolina/closing-costs", "answer": "South Carolina has no official typical closing-cost total; the deed recording fee is $3.70 per $1,000 ($1,480 on $400,000) with the seller liable, and Greenville County charges $15 to file a deed and $25 to file a mortgage.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller (grantor) is liable for the deed recording fee, $1,480 on a $400,000 sale ($1,040 state, $440 county), plus $10 to record a satisfaction of the existing mortgage; the buyer is liable only if the seller does not pay (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Uniform filing fees (S.C. Code 8-21-310): $15 for a deed and $25 for a mortgage (Greenville County schedule matches); $10 for a satisfaction or release of mortgage.", "biggest_items": "Deed recording fee ($1.85 per $500, seller), lender charges, title search, policies and closing fee (no premium table), attorney fee.", "example": "$400,000 Greenville County sale with a $320,000 loan: deed recording fee $1,480, deed filing $15, mortgage filing $25, satisfaction of the seller's mortgage $10.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage.", "sources": [ { "title": "S.C. Code Title 12, Chapter 24, Deed Recording Fee (South Carolina Legislature)", "url": "https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t12c024.php" }, { "title": "S.C. Code § 8-21-310, uniform filing fees (South Carolina Legislature)", "url": "https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t08c021.php" }, { "title": "Recording Requirements & Fees (Greenville County Register of Deeds)", "url": "https://www.greenvillecounty.org/ROD/pdf/RecordingReqFees.pdf" } ] }, "south-dakota": { "name": "South Dakota", "code": "SD", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/south-dakota/closing-costs", "answer": "South Dakota has no official typical closing-cost total; the seller pays a transfer fee of $0.50 per $500 of value ($400 on a $400,000 sale) and Minnehaha County charges $30 to record a deed and $30 to record a mortgage.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the seller (grantor) pays the transfer fee, $400 on a $400,000 sale, plus $30 to record a satisfaction of the old mortgage in Minnehaha County (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Minnehaha County (October 2026): $30 for a deed, $30 for a mortgage, $30 for a satisfaction of mortgage, $2 more per page beyond 50.", "biggest_items": "Transfer fee ($0.50 per $500, seller), title insurance premium (insurer's filed rates), lender charges, survey and inspection.", "example": "$400,000 Sioux Falls home with a $320,000 loan: transfer fee $400, deed recording $30, mortgage recording $30, satisfaction of the seller's old mortgage $30.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage.", "sources": [ { "title": "SDCL 43-4-21 to 43-4-25, real estate transfer fee (South Dakota Legislature)", "url": "https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/43-4-21" }, { "title": "Recording Fees (Minnehaha County Register of Deeds)", "url": "https://www.minnehahacounty.gov/dept/rd/fees/fees.php" }, { "title": "SDCL 58-25-7 and 58-25-9, title insurance rate filings (South Dakota Legislature)", "url": "https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/58-25-7" } ] }, "tennessee": { "name": "Tennessee", "code": "TN", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/tennessee/closing-costs", "answer": "Tennessee has no official typical closing-cost total; the buyer owes a realty transfer tax of $0.37 per $100 of price and the borrower a mortgage tax of $0.115 per $100 after the first $2,000, which is $1,480 and $365.70 on a $400,000 home with a $320,000 loan.", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the buyer (grantee) owes the transfer tax, $1,480 on a $400,000 home, and the borrower owes the mortgage tax, $365.70 on a $320,000 loan, plus recording fees and lender charges.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Davidson County Register of Deeds (page last updated August 2021, confirm before closing): $5 per page, a $10 minimum and a $2 data-processing fee for deeds and deeds of trust, plus a $1 probate fee collected when state tax is paid.", "biggest_items": "Realty transfer tax ($0.37 per $100, buyer), mortgage tax ($0.115 per $100, borrower), lender charges, title insurance (no state rate table read).", "example": "$400,000 Nashville purchase with a $320,000 loan: transfer tax $1,480, mortgage tax $365.70, deed recording $27, deed of trust recording $77.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Seller costs generally come from the contract, such as releasing the existing loan and any commission.", "sources": [ { "title": "Recordation Tax Due Date and Tax Rates (Tennessee Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/local-taxes/recordation-taxes/due-date-tax-rate.html" }, { "title": "Filing Fees (Davidson County Register of Deeds)", "url": "https://www.nashville.gov/departments/register-deeds/recording-services/filing-fees" }, { "title": "Recordation Tax Manual, June 2026 (Tennessee Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/tax_manuals/june-2026/recordation-tax.pdf" } ] }, "texas": { "name": "Texas", "code": "TX", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/texas/closing-costs", "answer": "Texas has no official typical closing-cost total; it charges no transfer tax, the owner's title policy on a $400,000 home costs $2,262 at Texas Department of Insurance rates effective March 1, 2026, and a simultaneous loan policy costs $100.", "buyer_text": "Not a total: under the TREC resale contract the buyer pays the loan title policy ($100 when issued with the owner's policy), recording fees, lender charges, prepaid taxes and insurance, and half the escrow fee.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Not a total: under the TREC resale contract the seller pays to release existing liens, deed preparation, tax certificates, half the escrow fee, and the owner's title policy ($2,262 on $400,000) if paragraph 6A is checked for the seller (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Dallas County Clerk (as of October 2026): $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page of a real property document.", "biggest_items": "Owner's title policy ($2,262 on $400,000, state-set), lender charges, escrow fee (not set by TDI), prepaid taxes and insurance.", "example": "$400,000 Dallas home with a $320,000 loan: owner's title policy $2,262, loan title policy $100, optional area and boundary amendment $113, 5-page deed recording $41, transfer tax $0.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. Title premium is set by the state and identical at every company; escrow fee is not set. The $2,262 owner's policy goes to whoever is checked in paragraph 6A of the contract.", "sources": [ { "title": "Texas Title Insurance Basic Premium Rates, effective March 1, 2026 (Texas Department of Insurance)", "url": "https://www.tdi.texas.gov/title/titlerates2026.html" }, { "title": "One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale), TREC No. 20-19, effective July 1, 2026 (Texas Real Estate Commission)", "url": "https://www.trec.texas.gov/forms/one-four-family-residential-contract-resale" }, { "title": "Recording Fees & Payment Information (Dallas County Clerk)", "url": "https://www.dallascounty.org/government/county-clerk/recording/fees-payment.php" } ] }, "utah": { "name": "Utah", "code": "UT", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/utah/closing-costs", "answer": "Utah has no official typical closing-cost total; the state contract has the seller pay for the buyer's owner's title policy by default, each county recorder charges $40 per recorded document, and no transfer tax was found.", "buyer_text": "Not a total: under the Utah REPC the buyer usually pays the lender's title policy, own escrow fees and lender charges (no amounts given).", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Not a total: under REPC section 6.2 the seller pays the buyer's owner's title policy by default (no premium given); in the example the seller's share of property tax is $1,260.06 for a June 30 closing (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Utah Code 17-71-407: $40 per instrument plus $2 for each description beyond ten; Salt Lake County lists a flat $40 as of October 2026; some smaller counties add $5 in certain cases.", "biggest_items": "Owner's title policy (seller by default, filed rates, no state table), lender charges, escrow fees, prorated property tax.", "example": "$500,000 Salt Lake City home bought with a mortgage and closing June 30: deed recording $40, deed of trust recording $40, seller's property tax share $1,260.06, transfer tax $0.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No transfer tax found in the sources read.", "sources": [ { "title": "Real Estate Purchase Contract (REPC), effective December 4, 2024 (Utah Division of Real Estate)", "url": "https://commerce.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/purchase-contract.pdf" }, { "title": "Utah Code § 17-71-407, county recorder fees (Utah Legislature)", "url": "https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title17/Chapter71/17-71-S407.html" }, { "title": "Frequently Asked Questions About Title Insurance (Utah Insurance Department)", "url": "https://insurance.utah.gov/consumers/home-insurance/title-faqs/" } ] }, "vermont": { "name": "Vermont", "code": "VT", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/vermont/closing-costs", "answer": "Vermont has no official typical closing-cost total; the buyer owes the property transfer tax by statute, $3,940 on a $400,000 primary home, and the clerk charges $15 per page to record plus $15 for the tax return.", "buyer_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: the buyer owes the property transfer tax and Clean Water Surcharge, $3,940 on a $400,000 primary home, plus recording; total government charges are $4,210 in the example, before lender, title and attorney charges.", "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "$15 per page to record any document (32 V.S.A. 1671), $15 for each previously recorded instrument a document affects, and $15 for the transfer tax return; collected by the town or city clerk (Burlington Clerk's schedule).", "biggest_items": "Property transfer tax (0.5% of first $200,000 and 1.25% above for a primary residence, 3.4% for a non-primary year-round home), Clean Water Surcharge (0.22%), lender charges, title and attorney fees.", "example": "$400,000 Burlington primary home with a 2-page deed and 15-page mortgage: transfer tax $3,500, Clean Water Surcharge $440, recording $255, return filing $15; total government charges $4,210.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. By statute the seller does not owe the transfer tax (contract can shift it). A nonresident seller faces 2.5% withholding by the buyer unless a Commissioner's Certificate exists.", "sources": [ { "title": "32 V.S.A. Chapter 231, Property Transfer Tax (Vermont Legislature)", "url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/32/231" }, { "title": "32 V.S.A. Chapter 17, § 1671, town clerk fees (Vermont Legislature)", "url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/32/017" }, { "title": "Land Records (City of Burlington Clerk/Treasurer's Office)", "url": "https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/211/Land-Records" } ] }, "virginia": { "name": "Virginia", "code": "VA", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/virginia/closing-costs", "answer": "Virginia has no official typical closing-cost total; it has no transfer tax but taxes the recording of the deed, and in Arlington the grantor tax and two regional fees total 0.3% of the price while the state recordation tax is 25 cents per $100 (Arlington adds one-third).", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory items only, not a total: by statute the seller owes $2,700 on a $900,000 Arlington sale (grantor tax $900 plus two regional fees of $900 each), unless the parties agree otherwise (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "Circuit court clerk: $18 to record and index a document of 10 or fewer pages, $32 for 11 to 30 pages, $52 for 31 or more (17.1-275); $8 Technology Trust Fund fee per instrument in the deed books; $3 open-space fee where applicable.", "biggest_items": "State recordation tax (25 cents per $100 on deed and deed of trust, plus Arlington one-third), grantor tax (50 cents per $500), regional WMATA and congestion fees (10 cents per $100 each), lender charges.", "example": "$900,000 Arlington sale with a $720,000 loan: deed-side taxes and fees $5,700 (seller owes $2,700 by statute), deed of trust recordation taxes $2,400.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The statute read does not say who pays the recordation taxes; the contract and loan documents decide.", "sources": [ { "title": "Code of Virginia § 58.1-801, Deeds generally (Virginia General Assembly)", "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title58.1/chapter8/section58.1-801/" }, { "title": "Code of Virginia § 58.1-802, Additional tax paid by grantor (Virginia General Assembly)", "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title58.1/chapter8/section58.1-802/" }, { "title": "Code of Virginia § 17.1-275, Fees collected by clerks of circuit courts (Virginia General Assembly)", "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title17.1/chapter2/section17.1-275/" } ] }, "washington": { "name": "Washington", "code": "WA", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/washington/closing-costs", "answer": "Washington has no official typical closing-cost total; the seller owes the real estate excise tax by law, $16,855 on a $1 million Seattle sale in 2026, and King County charges $303.50 to record a deed and $304.50 for a deed of trust.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory item only, not a total: the seller owes the real estate excise tax (state graduated 1.1% to 3% plus Seattle 0.5%), $16,855 on a $1,000,000 Seattle sale; the buyer is responsible only if the seller does not pay (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "King County Recorder (October 2026): deed $303.50 plus $1 per additional page; deed of trust $304.50 plus $1 per additional page; taxable excise tax affidavit $5 plus the tax; non-taxable affidavit $10; 2.35% card convenience fee.", "biggest_items": "Real estate excise tax (seller), county recording fees, title insurance (filed rates, no typical premium), escrow fee, lender charges.", "example": "$1,000,000 Seattle sale with an $800,000 loan: state REET $11,855 plus Seattle REET $5,000 equals $16,855 (seller), REET affidavit $5, deed recording $305.50, deed of trust recording $323.50.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage.", "sources": [ { "title": "Real estate excise tax (Washington Department of Revenue)", "url": "https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/other-taxes/real-estate-excise-tax" }, { "title": "Real Estate Excise Tax (King County Recorder's Office)", "url": "https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive-services/certificates-permits-licenses/records-licensing/recorders-office/real-estate-excise-tax" }, { "title": "Record a document, fees (King County Recorder's Office)", "url": "https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive-services/certificates-permits-licenses/records-licensing/recorders-office/document-recording" } ] }, "west-virginia": { "name": "West Virginia", "code": "WV", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/west-virginia/closing-costs", "answer": "West Virginia has no official typical closing-cost total; the seller pays a transfer tax of $1.10 per $500 plus at least 55 cents per $500 for the county, a $20 housing fee is collected before recording, and recording a deed or deed of trust costs $30.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory item only, not a total: the seller (grantor) pays the transfer tax, $660 to $1,100 on a $200,000 Kanawha County home depending on the county rate (county rate not confirmed); the buyer pays only if the buyer accepts the deed untaxed (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "W. Va. Code 59-1-10: $30 for a deed, trust deed or security agreement; $10 for a plat with no deed and most other documents; $1 per additional page on documents over five pages; plus a $20 housing fee collected by the clerk before recording (11-22-2).", "biggest_items": "Transfer tax ($1.10 per $500 plus county tax of 55 cents to $1.65 per $500, seller), title insurance (filed rates, abstracting and closing billed separately), lender charges, settlement services.", "example": "$200,000 Charleston home: transfer tax $660 at the base county rate or $1,100 at $1.65, housing fee $20, deed recording $30, deed of trust recording $30.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. The article could not confirm Kanawha County's current excise rate, so the transfer tax is shown as a range. The contract decides who bears the $20 housing fee.", "sources": [ { "title": "W. Va. Code § 11-22-2, transfer tax and $20 fee (West Virginia Legislature)", "url": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/11-22-2/" }, { "title": "W. Va. Code § 59-1-10, county clerk recording fees (West Virginia Legislature)", "url": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/59-1-10/" }, { "title": "W. Va. Code § 33-20-3, ratemaking for title insurance (West Virginia Legislature)", "url": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/33-20-3/" } ] }, "wisconsin": { "name": "Wisconsin", "code": "WI", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/wisconsin/closing-costs", "answer": "Wisconsin has no official typical closing-cost total; the state real estate transfer fee is $3 per $1,000, owed by the seller ($623.70 on Milwaukee's $207,900 median home value), and the register of deeds charges $30 to record any document.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": "Statutory item only, not a total: the seller (grantor) owes the transfer fee, $623.70 on a $207,900 Milwaukee home, collected at recording (commission not included).", "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "$30 to record any document entitled to be recorded (Wis. Stat. 59.43(2)(ag)), same in every county; plats $50; copies $2 for the first page and $1 for each extra page plus $1 to certify; a mortgage is a separate document with its own fee.", "biggest_items": "Transfer fee ($3 per $1,000, seller), title insurance (filed rates, no table), lender charges, inspection and survey.", "example": "$207,900 Milwaukee sale: transfer fee $623.70 (seller), deed recording $30, mortgage recording $30.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage.", "sources": [ { "title": "Wisconsin Statutes § 77.22, imposition of real estate transfer fee (Wisconsin Legislature)", "url": "https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/77.22" }, { "title": "Wisconsin Statutes § 59.43, register of deeds; duties, fees (Wisconsin Legislature)", "url": "https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/59.43" }, { "title": "Title Insurance Frequently Asked Questions, PI-229 (Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance)", "url": "https://oci.wi.gov/Documents/Consumers/PI-229.pdf" } ] }, "wyoming": { "name": "Wyoming", "code": "WY", "article": "https://payotte.com/usa/wyoming/closing-costs", "answer": "Wyoming has no official typical closing-cost total; the statutes read impose no transfer tax, the county clerk charges $12 to record the first page and $3 for each additional page, and title premiums follow each insurer's filed schedule.", "buyer_text": null, "buyer_percent": null, "seller_text": null, "seller_percent": null, "recording_fees": "County clerk (W.S. 18-3-402): $12.00 for the first page of an instrument and $3.00 for each additional page, with small extra charges for long lists of names or descriptions.", "biggest_items": "Title premiums (insurer's filed schedule), lender charges, escrow fee, survey and inspection (no fee schedule).", "example": "$400,000 Cheyenne home with a $320,000 loan: 5-page deed recording $24, 15-page deed of trust recording $54, transfer tax $0.", "note": "The article gives no typical buyer or seller total or percentage. No transfer tax in the statutes read; the buyer files a sworn statement of the price with the deed. If the contract is silent, the seller pays that year's property tax when the property is conveyed on or after January 1.", "sources": [ { "title": "Wyoming Statutes, Title 18 (Counties), § 18-3-402, county clerk fees (Wyoming Legislative Service Office)", "url": "https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title18.pdf" }, { "title": "Wyoming Statutes, Title 26 (Insurance), §§ 26-23-325 to 26-23-327, title insurance premium rates (Wyoming Legislative Service Office)", "url": "https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title26.pdf" }, { "title": "Wyoming Statutes, Title 34 (Property), § 34-1-142 (Wyoming Legislative Service Office)", "url": "https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title34.pdf" } ] } } }