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WHO PAYS WHAT?

THE SELLER CAN GENERALLY BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR:
THE BUYER CAN GENERALLY BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR:

TITLE INSURANCE PREMIUM

TITLE INSURANCE PREMIUM FOR NEW LENDER

ESCROW FEE

ESCROW FEE

REAL ESTATE COMMISSION, IF BROKER IS INVOLVED

DOCUMENT PREPARATION (IF APPLICABLE)

DOCUMENT PREPARATION FEE FOR DEED AND NOTARY FEES

NOTARY FEES

DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX –VARIES BY COUNTY

RECORDING CHARGES FOR ALL DOCUMENTS IN BUYER’S NAME

ANY CITY TRANSFER OR CONVEYANCE TAX
TERMITE INSPECTION (ACCORDING TO CONTRACT)
ANY LOAN FEES REQUIRED BY BUYER’S LENDER OR BY CONTRACT AGREEMENT
TAX PRORATION (FROM DATE OF ACQUISITION)
PAYOFF ALL LOANS IN SELLER’S NAME (OR EXISTING LOAN BALANCE IF BEING ASSUMED BY BUYER)
HOMEOWNER’S TRANSFER FEE, UNLESS PAID BY SELLER, AND ONE MONTH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DUES
INTEREST ACCRUED TO LENDER BEING PAID OFF, STATEMENT FEES, RECONVEYANCE FEES AND PREPAYMENT PENALTIES
ALL NEW LOAN CHARGES (EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRED BY LENDER FOR SELLER TO PAY)
TERMITE INSPECTION AND TERMITE WORK
INTEREST ON NEW LOAN FROM DATE OF FUNDING TO 30 DAYS PRIOR TO FIRST PAYMENT DATE
HOME WARRANTY (ACCORDING TO CONTRACT)
ASSUMPTION OR CHANGE OF RECORDS FEE FOR TAKEOVER OF EXISTING LOAN
ANY JUDGMENTS, TAX LIENS, ETC. AGAINST THE SELLER
INSPECTION FEES (ROOFING, PROPERTY INSPECTION GEOLOGICAL, ETC.)
TAX PRORATION (FOR ANY TAXES UNPAID AT TIME OF TRANSFER OF TITLE) AND ANY DELINQUENT TAXES
HOME WARRANTY (ACCORDING TO CONTRACT)
ANY UNPAID HOMEOWNER’S DUES, PROPERTY TAXES, BONDS OR ASSESSMENTS
FIRE INSURANCE PREMIUM FOR FIRST YEAR UNLESS PROPERTY IS A CONDOMINIUM
RECORDING CHARGES TO CLEAR ALL DOCUMENTS OF RECORD AGAINST SELLER

The above described costs and the party to whom they are charged to in an escrow are examples of those generally seen and may not apply to all transactions. Regardless of standard practice, all terms and costs in an escrow transaction are negotiable between buyer and seller and may be paid by either party or divided between them as mutually agreed.

YOURS OR THEIRS --- The Personal vs. Real Property Dilemma
The distinction between personal property and real property can be the source of difficulties in a real estate transaction. The purchase contract is normally written to include all real property; that is, all aspects of the property that are fastened down or an integral part of the structure. For example, this would include light fixtures, drapery rods, attached mirrors, trees and shrubs in the ground. It would not include potted plants, free standing refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves, book cases, swag lamps, etc. If there is any uncertainty whether an item is included in the sale or not, it is best to be sure that the particular item is mentioned in the purchase contract as being included or excluded.