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Your Local Real Estate Information
Buyer Overview
Finding Your Home
Assembling Your Team
Financing
The Contract
The Closing Process
Pre-Closing
Closing
What to Expect
Transfer of Title
Buyer Closing Costs
Post Closing
Seller Overview
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Tallying up the numbers. Tallying up the numbers.

Tallying up the numbers.
As we've mentioned before, closing costs are negotiable. Your real estate attorney can help you work with the seller, the seller's agent or the seller's attorney concerning who pays which charges. You can also negotiate with the lender to reduce, and in some cases completely waive, certain costs.

The following fees are based on a $100,000 home with an 80% loan. The fees may be higher or lower depending on the purchase price and terms of your loan.

Loan fees. This includes loan origination fees or "points," and charges for the appraisal, checking your credit and processing your loan application. The total can add up to 3% of the amount you borrow.

Private mortgage insurance. Determined based on the type and amount of loan taken out.

Title insurance. Can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on the sale price of your home.

Homeowners insurance. For an idea of prices in your area, contact the Florida Department of Insurance and click on "Insurance Rates."

Property taxes. Usually 1.5% to 2% of the appraised value of your home as determined by the county property appraiser.

Inspections. Based on purchase price and square footage, the range is $250 to $450 for home inspections, and $60 to $125 for termite inspections.

Recording. There's a fee for recording the deed and mortgage for local public records. Typically you'll be charged for 10 to 12 pages at $6 for the first page plus $4.50 per each additional page.

Document stamps on the deed. Some states charge a tax when property is transferred from one party to another. In Florida, the tax is $7 for every $1000 of the purchase price; i.e., $700 for a $100,000 home.

Tax on mortgage. $5.50 for every $1000 of purchase price; i.e., $550 for a $100,000 home.

Home warranty insurance. Covers repairs for individual parts of the home for a certain length of time. About $285 to $350.

Initiation fees. Condominiums and homeowners associations often charge these fees. Costs vary depending on the property or neighborhood.

Legal fees. These charges are typically included in the price of title insurance if your real estate attorney handles the policy, but can range from $350 to $600.