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Closing Cost Calculator

June 30, 2026 • By the Investor Sam Editorial Team • Reviewed by Berly Sam Varghese, Editor
Closing costs are the fees layered on top of your down payment — lender charges, title and escrow, prepaid taxes and insurance, and assorted government and third-party fees — and they typically run 2 to 5% of the purchase price. This calculator estimates each bucket, totals them, and adds your down payment so you can see the full cash needed at the closing table. Buyers who plan only for the down payment are the ones caught short.

Example: Home price: 400000 $ · Loan-to-value: 80 % · Lender fees (% of loan): 1 % · Title & escrow fees: 2500 $ · Prepaid taxes & insurance: 3500 $ · Other fees (appraisal, recording, etc.): 1500 $

Total closing costs$10,700
Total cash needed$90,700
Closing costs as % of price2.67%

Worked example

On a $400,000 home financed at 80% loan-to-value, the loan is $320,000. Lender fees at 1% of the loan add $3,200; title and escrow run $2,500; prepaid taxes and insurance $3,500; and other fees $1,500 — about $10,700 in closing costs, or roughly 2.7% of the price. Add the 20% down payment of $80,000 and you need about $90,700 in cash at the table.

Frequently asked questions

How much are closing costs, typically?

For buyers, closing costs commonly total 2 to 5% of the purchase price, though the mix varies by state, lender, and loan type. The lender is required to give you a Loan Estimate early and a Closing Disclosure before signing so you can verify the figures.

Can I negotiate or reduce closing costs?

Some fees are negotiable or shoppable — title insurance, settlement services, and certain lender fees. You can also ask the seller for a credit, or accept a slightly higher rate in exchange for lender credits that offset costs. Compare Loan Estimates from multiple lenders.

What are prepaids?

Prepaids are amounts collected at closing to fund your escrow account and cover the first stretch of property taxes and homeowners insurance. They are not really fees — they are your own future expenses paid a little early — but they are cash you need on closing day.

Do closing costs count toward my down payment?

No. They are separate. Your down payment reduces the loan; closing costs pay for the transaction. Budget for both, which is why this calculator adds them together into the total cash you must bring.

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Sources

Berly Sam Varghese · Editor, Investor Sam

Berly Sam Varghese is an engineer who treats money the way he treats any hard problem — something to be engineered, not gambled on. He funded years of education and built real financial stability the patient way, by living below his means and investing rather than borrowing. He writes for the person trying to make a home a sound decision, not just a purchase. He reviews and approves every article on Investor Sam and checks the figures against primary sources before anything is published. More about our standards.