Calculator · California

Closing Cost Estimator

Itemized closing costs for either side — buyer or seller — built for California transactions.

iAll numbers shown are estimates only. They are not tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a licensed California real estate agent and a CPA before relying on any figure for a real transaction.

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City (for transfer tax) *Purchase price *Loan amount *The mortgage amount, not the down payment.Loan origination rate

Your Costs

Enter purchase price + loan amount. We'll itemize every line.

The short answer

In California, buyers typically pay about 2%–5% of the purchase price in closing costs (lender fees, escrow, title insurance, and prepaids), while sellers typically pay about 6%–8% — most of which is the real estate commission. Who pays the county transfer tax varies by local custom.

Frequently asked questions

For buyers, roughly 2%–5% of the price covers loan fees, escrow, title, recording, and prepaid taxes and insurance. For sellers, 6%–8% is typical because it includes the agent commission plus escrow, title, and transfer tax. On a $1M home that’s tens of thousands of dollars, so it’s worth estimating early.

Both pay, but for different items. Buyers cover loan-related and prepaid costs; sellers cover the commission and most transfer costs. The exact split — especially who pays the transfer tax — is negotiable and often follows county custom.

Title insurance protects against defects in the home’s ownership history — liens, errors, or competing claims. Lenders require a lender’s policy; an owner’s policy (often a one-time cost at closing) protects your equity. In California the seller commonly pays for the owner’s policy, though this varies.

Some can. Buyers sometimes negotiate a seller credit toward closing costs, and certain lender fees can be financed into the loan or offset with a slightly higher rate. Each option trades a lower upfront cost for a higher monthly payment.

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