Closing costs in Florida range from 2%-5% for buyers and 6%-10% for sellers. On a median-priced $410,100 Florida home, this amounts to $8,202–$20,505 for buyers and $24,606–$41,010 for sellers. No wonder buyers and sellers fear paying closing costs.
With so many Floridians worried about closing costs, how can you negotiate your home sale or purchase with confidence? It starts with a simple step: knowing your costs. A closing cost calculator helps you do that, so you can stop guessing and negotiate the best deal.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Closing costs are final expenses you pay to complete a real estate transaction.
- Both buyers and sellers pay closing costs in Florida.
- Florida buyers pay 2%-5% of purchase price while sellers pay 6%-10% in closing costs.
- Avoiding junk costs can help both buyers and sellers reduce their closing costs.
What Are Closing Costs in Florida?
Closing costs include all fees, taxes, and charges required to complete any real estate transaction. These expenses cover property transfer, mortgage processing, and documentation. Both buyers and sellers pay their share in Florida.
However, who pays what varies across Florida regions. Buyers cover title insurance in Miami-Dade County. Sellers handle this expense in Orlando instead. These local customs affect your closing budget.
What Is Included in Closing Costs for Sellers in Florida?
- Real Estate Commissions (5%-6%): Sellers traditionally pay both listing and buyer agent fees. Standard real estate commission FL rates cost $20,505 to $24,606 on median-priced homes. However, recent NAR Settlement affect how buyer commissions work.
- Documentary Stamp Tax ($0.70 per $100): Sellers pay this tax when transferring property ownership. On a $410,100 home, that’s $2,871 in most Florida counties.
- Owner’s Title Insurance (0.5% to 1.0%): The seller pays for the owner’s title insurance to protect the buyer from any title issues, such as undisclosed liens or ownership disputes.
- Recording Fees ($100 to $200): This is charged by the county government to officially record the new deed and mortgage documents. This makes the transfer of ownership and mortgage lien a matter of public record.
- Settlement Fees ($750 to $975): This is a fee paid to the settlement agent. They act as a neutral third party to manage the entire closing process, from handling money to preparing all the legal documents.
- Home Warranty Fees ($40 to $75): The cost of a home warranty depends on the company you choose. It covers maintenance costs for appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, etc., for one to two years.
- Municipal Lien Search ($100 to $125): This covers the cost to verify that no outstanding liens or code violations exist on the property.
- HOA-Related Fees ($250 to $1,000): These costs are shared between buyers and sellers. Monthly dues range from $100-$500, estoppel fees cost $150-$500, and transfer fees run around $150 per applicant. Learn more about HOA requirements.
- Mortgage Payoff (1% to 2%): Sellers must pay off their remaining mortgage balance plus potential prepayment penalties. These penalties can reach 2% of the loan balance if paid within two years, or 1% in the third year. This represents a major expense for many sellers.
What Is Included in Typical Closing Costs for Buyers in Florida?
- Loan Processing Fees (0.5% to 1.5%): What lenders charge to process your application and create your mortgage. This includes credit checks, paperwork review, and underwriting. Buyers pay $2,051 to $6,152 on a $410,100 home, plus a flat application fee of $150 to $400.
- Appraisal Costs ($350 to $500): A licensed appraiser charges this fee to determine the property’s fair market value. Your mortgage company requires a home appraisal to ensure the property’s value justifies the loan amount.
- Home Inspection Fees ($250 to $500): A professional inspector charges this fee to conduct a thorough evaluation of the property’s condition. While not mandatory, it is highly recommended to identify potential issues before finalizing the purchase.
- Lender’s Title Insurance ($3.50 to $1,000): The title company charges this to protect the lender from any future claims or liens on the property.
- Credit Report Fees ($10 to $100): The lender charges this to obtain a borrower’s credit history and score from a credit reporting agency. This is a crucial step in the underwriting process to assess the buyer’s creditworthiness.
- Discount Points (1% of the Loan Amount): Buyers pay this to their lender to reduce the interest rate on their mortgage. This optional payment can lower the overall cost of the loan over time and reduce monthly payments.
- Escrow Funds: The closing agent collects these funds to set up an escrow account for the new homeowner.
- Real Estate Attorney Fees ($150 to $400): A real estate attorney charges this fee to handle all legal aspects of the transaction and represent the buyer’s interests.
Sellers can pay a portion of the buyer’s closing costs directly, reducing out-of-pocket expenses at closing. Seller concessions vary by loan type: conventional loans allow 3%-9% based on down payment, while FHA and USDA loans permit up to 6%. Buyers negotiate these concessions during purchase agreements.
Who Pays Closing Costs in Florida: Buyer or Seller?
Closing costs are split between both parties, but sellers cover the larger portion. On a median-priced Florida home, sellers pay $24,606 -$41,010 (6%-10%) while buyers pay $8,202-$20,505 (2%-5%).
Buyers pay a smaller share, covering fees related to loans and property evaluations. With Florida’s increased home inventory, buyers gain more negotiating power to shift additional costs to sellers.
How Much Are Closing Costs in Florida?
Total closing costs depend on property values, loan types, and regulations, with amounts varying widely across the state. Use a closing cost calculator to get an accurate estimate for your specific situation and plan your budget accordingly.
How Much Are Sellers’ Closing Costs in Florida?
Sellers pay $24,606 to $41,010 on Florida’s median home price of $410,100. The largest expense is real estate commissions at 5%-6%. Typical seller closing costs include transfer taxes, attorney fees, and outstanding balances.
Property preparation expenses add to seller costs significantly. Home inspections run $325-$425 for defect identification. Municipal lien searches typically cost $100-$125 for code violations.
How Much Are Closing Costs for Buyers in Florida?
Buyers’ closing costs on a median-priced Florida home can range from $8,202 to $20,505, with the final amount heavily dependent on loan type and location.
Additional Buyer Closing Costs Per Loan Type
- FHA Loans: Upfront mortgage insurance premiums equal 1.75% of the loan amount. Annual premiums continue throughout the loan terms.
- VA Loans: Veterans avoid down payments but pay funding fees. First-time users pay 2.15% of the loan amount. Second-time buyers pay a higher rate of 3.3%.
- USDA Loans: Rural buyers pay guarantee fees and processing costs. Upfront fees equal 1% of the loan amount. Annual fees continue at 0.35% rates throughout the loan terms.
How to Reduce Closing Costs in Florida?
Smart research and negotiation can lower your closing costs significantly. Always compare multiple providers for better rates and deals.
How Can Sellers Reduce Closing Costs?
- Choose a Flat Fee MLS Service: The largest closing expense for sellers is real estate commissions at 5%-6%. However, with flat fee MLS listing services in Florida, like Houzeo, your home gets listed on the MLS for just $249, and you get maximum exposure.
- Negotiate Service Provider Rates: Negotiate with your service providers. Contact multiple attorneys, title companies, and inspectors to compare rates and secure the best balance of pricing and service quality.
How Can Buyers Reduce Closing Costs?
- Shop Multiple Lenders: Origination fees, processing costs, and interest rates vary between banks. Comparing loan estimates within three-day windows gives you accurate rate comparisons. Focus on total package costs rather than choosing lenders based on individual fees alone.
- Negotiate Seller Concessions: Purchase agreements can include seller-paid closing costs within loan program limits. Concession amounts depend on loan types and down payment percentages. Strong offers with competitive terms increase your chances of getting concessions.
- Apply for Assistance Programs: First-time buyer programs offer grants and reduced-rate loans throughout Florida. State and local groups provide closing cost help for qualified applicants. Research income limits and property restrictions before applying to these programs.
Special Situations and Additional Costs
In addition to a standard home purchase, certain transactions have unique costs. Investment properties, new construction, and For Sale By Owner (FSBO) deals each come with their own set of expenses that buyers and sellers should plan for.
FSBO Closing Costs in Florida
For Sale By Owner sellers save significantly on commissions, but they also take on more responsibility, which can lead to other expenses. FSBO closing costs analysis and professional guidance are often critical to ensure the legal compliance of the transaction.
An attorney can help with a contract review and closing. Legal fees can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, but this investment ensures the deal is handled correctly.
Florida Real Estate Closing Costs for Refinancing
Refinancing a mortgage comes with its own set of closing costs, typically between 3%–5% of the loan amount. Borrowers pay for appraisals, title insurance, and processing fees. It’s crucial to compare these costs to determine if a rate improvement justifies the expense.
Closing Costs in Florida for Cash Buyers
Estimating closing costs when paying cash differs from financed purchases. Cash buyers avoid origination fees, credit reports, and mortgage insurance. Total costs drop to approximately 1% of purchase prices.
❌ Junk Costs to Avoid When Buying or Selling
When you plan to buy or sell your house in Florida, it’s essential to avoid ‘junk fees’. These unnecessary charges provide little to no value but can significantly increase your costs, so it’s important to identify them.
- Mortgage Rate Lock Fees: Some lenders charge buyers for interest rate guarantees. Buyers can avoid this expense by shopping for lenders that offer a free rate lock period.
- Application and Processing Fees: Multiple lenders charge redundant application fees. Buyers should check for duplicate processing and loan origination fees on their loan estimate.
- Courier and Administrative Fees: Lenders and title companies may charge buyers and sellers for document delivery and file management. Both should negotiate to remove these low-value administrative fees.
Save Where You Can!
Closing costs can be a huge burden for both buyers and sellers in Florida. However, strategic planning and informed choices can lead to max savings, especially with Flat Fee MLS companies in Florida. With Houzeo, your home gets listed on the MLS for a flat fee, and you save on commissions. Plus, get max exposure, too!
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why Houzeo is Florida’s best home buying and selling website.
