# Closing Cost Calculator

Estimate home closing costs including origination fees, appraisal, title insurance, escrow, and recording fees. Free closing cost calculator for home buyers.

## What this calculates

Get a realistic estimate of how much you will need at the closing table beyond your down payment. Enter the purchase price and loan details to see a breakdown of origination fees, appraisal, title insurance, escrow, and recording costs.

## Inputs

- **Home Purchase Price** ($) — min 0 — The agreed-upon purchase price of the home.
- **Loan Amount** ($) — min 0 — The mortgage amount (purchase price minus down payment).
- **Loan Origination Fee** (%) — min 0, max 3 — Lender's fee for processing the loan, typically 0.5-1.5% of loan amount.
- **Appraisal Fee** ($) — min 0 — Cost for professional property appraisal, typically $400-$600.
- **Title Insurance** ($) — min 0 — Owner's and lender's title insurance policies.
- **Escrow Deposit (Months)** — min 0, max 12 — Months of property tax and insurance held in escrow. Typically 2-4 months.
- **Monthly Tax + Insurance** ($) — min 0 — Combined monthly property tax and homeowner's insurance.
- **Recording Fee** ($) — min 0 — County fee to record the deed and mortgage, typically $100-$250.

## Outputs

- **Origination Fee** — formatted as currency — Lender fee based on loan amount.
- **Escrow Deposit** — formatted as currency — Prepaid property tax and insurance held in escrow.
- **Total Closing Costs** — formatted as currency — Sum of all closing cost line items.
- **Closing Costs as % of Price** — formatted as percentage — Total closing costs as a percentage of the purchase price.
- **Estimated Cash to Close** — formatted as currency — Down payment plus total closing costs.

## Details

Closing costs are the fees and expenses you pay when finalizing a home purchase, typically running 2-5% of the purchase price. On a $400,000 home, that means $8,000 to $20,000 on top of your down payment. These costs catch many first-time buyers off guard.

The main closing cost categories include the loan origination fee (0.5-1.5% of the loan amount), appraisal ($400-$600), title insurance ($1,000-$2,000 depending on the property value), escrow deposits (2-4 months of property tax and insurance prepaid into an escrow account), and recording fees ($100-$250 to file the deed with the county).

Some closing costs are negotiable. You can shop around for title insurance, ask the seller to pay a portion of closing costs (common in buyer's markets), or negotiate lender credits in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate. Your lender is required to provide a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application that itemizes expected closing costs.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How much are closing costs on a house?**

A: Closing costs typically range from 2-5% of the purchase price. On a $400,000 home, expect $8,000 to $20,000. The exact amount depends on your location, lender fees, title insurance costs, and how many months of taxes and insurance are prepaid into escrow. Your Loan Estimate from the lender will give you a detailed breakdown.

**Q: Can the seller pay closing costs?**

A: Yes, it is common to negotiate seller concessions where the seller pays some or all of the buyer's closing costs. This is more common in buyer's markets. Conventional loans typically allow sellers to cover up to 3% of the purchase price in closing costs (6% with 10-25% down). FHA allows up to 6%, and VA allows up to 4%.

**Q: Are closing costs tax deductible?**

A: Some closing costs are tax deductible in the year of purchase. Prepaid property taxes and mortgage interest (including points) are generally deductible if you itemize. Origination fees may also be deductible as points. However, title insurance, appraisal fees, and recording fees are not deductible. Consult a tax professional for your situation.

**Q: What is the difference between prepaids and closing costs?**

A: Prepaids are amounts you pay in advance for ongoing expenses like property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and mortgage interest. They fund your escrow account. Closing costs are one-time fees for processing the transaction (origination, appraisal, title). Both appear on your Closing Disclosure, but prepaids are not fees you are paying to anyone for a service.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/finance/closing-cost
Category: Finance
Last updated: 2026-04-08