West Virginia

Closing costs in West Virginia: what buyers and sellers pay

West Virginia closing costs, line by line: transfer tax from $3.30 per $1,000, a $20 housing fee, $30 recording fees and title insurance filed by insurers.

Checked on against the official sources listed at the bottom of the page.

In short

No official source gives a “typical” West Virginia closing-cost percentage, so add the lines up. The law fixes some: a transfer tax of $1.10 per $500 plus at least 55 cents per $500 for the county, a $20 housing fee, and $30 to record a deed or deed of trust (W. Va. Code §§ 11-22-2, 59-1-10). Lender, title and settlement charges vary.

Why there is no single typical total

Some costs are set by statute or by the county. Others come from private providers and change with the loan, the contract and the closing date. For this reason the total is best read from two federal forms. The lender must send a Loan Estimate “within three business days of receiving your application,” and you must receive the Closing Disclosure “at least three business days before you close” (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau). For a general walk-through, see closing costs explained.

Line by line: what each cost is

Transfer tax. The state excise tax is $1.10 per $500 of value, now kept by the county, plus an additional county tax of 55 cents per $500 that a county may raise to $1.65 (§ 11-22-2). By statute the seller pays unless the buyer accepts the deed untaxed. Details, exemptions and examples are on the transfer tax page.

Housing fee. The county clerk collects an extra $20 before recording a transfer of real estate for consideration (§ 11-22-2). It goes to the Affordable Housing Fund.

Recording fees. A deed, a trust deed or a security agreement is $30. A plat or map with no deed is $10. Most other documents are $10. The statute adds $1 for each additional page on documents with more than five pages (§ 59-1-10). A buyer with a mortgage usually records both a deed and a deed of trust.

Title insurance. West Virginia does not publish one statewide premium table that I could read. Instead, title insurers file rate schedules, separately for commercial and noncommercial risks, and their rates “may not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory” (§ 33-20-3). The statute also says title rates may not include charges for abstracting, record searching, escrow services, closing services or the cost of examining title. Those are billed separately, so ask each provider for a written quote. See title insurance explained.

Lender charges. Origination, underwriting, credit report and appraisal fees are set by the lender and the companies it hires. Compare them on the Loan Estimate. See home appraisal cost and private mortgage insurance.

Settlement or closing services. The fee for conducting the closing, and any attorney fee, are set by the provider. For attorney involvement, read when to hire a West Virginia real estate attorney.

Inspection and survey. Not regulated as to price. See home inspection cost and land survey cost.

Property tax and escrow deposits. The statute makes the owner on the July 1 assessment date liable for that year’s tax (§ 11-3-1). Bills are payable in two installments, due September 1 and March 1 (West Virginia Tax Division). Your contract and the closing statement show how the tax is split at your closing date. If the lender collects tax and insurance monthly, you also fund an escrow account. To estimate the tax, see West Virginia property tax.

Who pays what in West Virginia

CostWho pays
Transfer taxThe grantor (seller) by statute, unless the buyer accepts the deed untaxed
$20 housing feeCollected by the clerk before recording; the contract decides who bears it
Recording of the deedSet by the contract; the fee is $30
Recording of the deed of trustNormally part of the buyer’s loan costs; the fee is $30
Lender, appraisal and credit reportThe buyer, through the loan
Title insurance and settlement servicesAllocated by the sales contract
Brokerage compensationNegotiated; see real estate commission

I found no official West Virginia source that fixes a customary split of title and settlement charges. Your sales contract controls.

What it costs: a worked example in Charleston

This is an example, not a quote. Assume a $200,000 home in Kanawha County. Only lines fixed by statute are calculated.

LineRule usedAmount
Transfer tax, base county rate400 × ($1.10 + $0.55)$660
Transfer tax, county at $1.65400 × ($1.10 + $1.65)$1,100
Housing fee§ 11-22-2$20
Recording a deed§ 59-1-10$30
Recording a deed of trust§ 59-1-10$30
Title insurance, lender charges, closing services, inspectionSet by each providerSee your Loan Estimate and quotes

I could not confirm Kanawha County’s current excise rate on an official page, which is why the transfer tax is shown as a range. The Charleston guide gives the local picture.

Frequently asked questions

Does West Virginia have a transfer tax?

Yes. It is $1.10 per $500 of value plus a county tax of at least 55 cents per $500. The seller pays by statute.

How much does it cost to record a deed in West Virginia?

The county clerk charges $30 for a deed, with or without a plat, and $30 for a trust deed. The statute adds $1 per additional page for documents longer than five pages.

Who sets title insurance prices in West Virginia?

Insurers file their own rate schedules, and the law requires rates that are not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. I read no single statewide table, so compare written quotes.

What is the $20 fee at closing?

It is a fee on the privilege of transferring real estate for consideration. The clerk collects it before recording, and it funds the state’s Affordable Housing Fund.

When will I know my exact closing costs?

The lender must send a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application. You must receive the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing.

Compare with the other states: Closing costs by state.

More West Virginia guides

Sources

West Virginia · All states · Federal guides