Definition
Closing costs are the fees you pay to a lender to finalize your mortgage. These typically range from 3% to 6% of the loan amount and cover things like appraisal fees, title insurance, and other administrative expenses.
Understanding Closing Costs Timing
Closing costs appear at the end of the home-buying journey, right before you finalize the purchase. These costs cover various fees, like appraisals and inspections. In simple terms, they are additional expenses that accompany the mortgage. Example: If you're buying a home for $200,000, closing costs might be around $6,000. It's not an extra payment to the seller but rather fees for services needed to complete the sale. A common misconception is that closing costs are negotiable like the home price; they usually cover fixed service fees that are part of the process.

