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Our experience shows that the type of information which is most often requested from a Prudential / John Aaroe & Associate representative is financial. For your convenience, we have listed here many of the approximate costs associated with most real estate transactions. Please bear in mind, however, that this information is provided  merely as a reference and will vary with each individual real estate transaction, as each transaction is unique. Also down the lower left side of this page we have links to other very helpful areas on the internet, places where you can find out all about loan rates, terms,and available financing options. 

BUYERS ESTIMATED CLOSING COSTS

ESCROW COMPANY CHARGES
Escrow Fees:
Fees vary from company to company and with the complexity of the transaction.
Base fee: $150 - $300 plus $1.50 - $3.00 per $1,000 of total purchase price. This does not include miscellaneous charges,
i.e. drawing documents, additional services or messenger fees.
Loan Tie-In Fees:
Charged in connection with the new loan.
A fee of $1.00 per $1,000 of the new loan amount, with a minimum charge of $150.00 and a maximum of $500.00.
Beneficiary/Assumption Fee:
$100.00 - $200.00 charge in connection with the assumption of the existing loan.
TITLE COMPANY CHARGES
Recording Fees:
$14.00 for first page plus $3.00 for each additional page.
ALTA Lender's Policy:
Required by new Lender. Rate schedule based on amount of the new loan.
Sub-escrow Fees:
$95.00 - $125.00 charged in connection with new loan.
LENDER'S CHARGE FOR LOAN ASSUMPTION STATEMENT AND TRANSFER FEES
Fee charged by Lender varies from $250.00 to a percentage of the loan balance, plus miscellaneous charges.
Check with the Lender.

LENDER CHARGES FOR A NEW LOAN

Points and Loan Fees:
A Point is a fee charged by the Lender and is a percentage of the loan amount. 1 point is 1% of the new loan amount. One (1) point on a $200,000.00 loan would be $2,000.00. Loan Fees cover charges for such items as, underwriting, administrative and drawing of documents, to mention a few. Loan Fees and Points vary significantly depending on the Lender, current interest rates and the loan program chosen.
Credit Report:
$50.00 - $150.00
Appraisal:
$200.00 - $1,000. Based upon size of the property.
Miscellaneous Fees:
Including, but not limited to photos, wire fee, flood check fee, trustee's fee, inspections, underwriting fee, and processing fee.
Prepaid Interest:
Collected from date of funding to one month prior to the first payment date.
PRORATED TAX
The tax year runs from July 1 to June 30. Taxes are delinquent December 10 and April 10 respectively. For prorated purposes, most new Lenders require that taxes be paid any time after November 1 and February 1. Therefore, after those dates, taxes will be paid and prorated to either January 1 or July 1 by crediting the Seller and debiting the Buyer from the date of close of escrow to either December 31 or June 30 respectively.
SUPPLEMENTAL TAX BILL
Unless a supplemental tax bill is issued prior to close of escrow, any prorated moneys and payment of same, will be handled by and between the parties outside of escrow and the Escrow Holder need not be further concerned.
HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION FEES
Homeowner's association documents, provided during escrow, will outline transfer fees, move-in fees and special assessments, if any.
PRORATED MAINTENANCE FEE
All dues must be current. At closing, the Seller is credited and the Buyer is debited from date of close of escrow to either the first day of the following month or in the event dues are either quarterly or annual, to the appropriate date.
FIRE INSURANCE
It is the Buyers responsibility to provide escrow with the name of their insurance agent. Check with different agents for a quote. In the brush areas, California Fair Plan may be the only insurance company that will be able to provide you insurance. California Fair Plan takes several weeks to obtain, so it is imperative that you determine whether or not the subject property is in the California Fair Plan area as soon as possible. Lenders will not fund the new loan until they have insurance.
PRELIMINARY CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP
The Los Angeles County Recorder charges a $20.00 fee if the form is not completed properly and/or if the form is not submitted at the time of recordation of the Grant Deed. The form must be filed with the County within 45 days after recording to avoid a penalty.
MISCELLANEOUS
 Messenger Fees - Reimbursement on a dollar for dollar basis is required.

Escrow may charge a fee for a cashier's check or wire transfer. Fees vary from company to company.

Generally, when trying to estimate costs, add approximately $400.00 - $500.00 to your totals as a cushion for any unexpected costs that may arise.

SELLERS ESTIMATED CLOSING COSTS

COMMISSION
Percentage paid to Brokers; usually 6% of the sales price.

ESCROW COMPANY CHARGES

 Escrow Fees:
Fees vary from company to company and with the complexity of the transaction. Base fee: $150 - $300 plus $1.50 - $3.00 per $1,000 of total purchase price. This does not include miscellaneous charges, i.e. drawing documents, additional services or messenger fees.
Beneficiary/Demand Fee
$75.00 - $100.00 charge in connection with payoff of existing loan or assumption statement. This charge is per statement.

TITLE COMPANY CHARGES

Recording Fees:
$14.00 for first page plus $3.00 for each additional page.
 Monument Fees:
About $10.00 - $14.00 for legal descriptions other than the usual lot and tract (Usually for metes and bounds).

CLTA or ALTA Owner's Policy:
Most companies are competitive and fee schedules are based on purchase price. Most title companies will give a "short-term rate" of 80% of base rate for property owned less than two years.
Sub-escrow Fees:
$95.00 - $125.00 charged in connection with payoff of existing loan(s) Documentary Transfer
Tax:
County - $1.10 per thousand of the purchase price for "new money" which is purchase price less the loans being assumed. Purchase Money notes are considered "new money".
Culver City and Los Angeles charge a transfer tax of $4.40 per thousand of the purchase price for "new money". Santa Monica charges a transfer tax of $3.00 per thousand of the purchase price for "new money".

LENDER'S CHARGE FOR STATEMENT OF EXISTING LOAN BEING ASSUMED
Fee from Lender for statement of loan balance $50.00 - $100.00. There may be other miscellaneous charges to the Seller.
CHARGES FOR PAYOFF ON EXISTING LOAN(S)
Reconveyence Fee:
A fee of $65.00 - $125.00 will be charged for each loan being paid off.
Forwarding Fee:
Most Lenders charge a forwarding or statement fee of $25.00 - $100.00.
Prepayment Penalty:
See copy of Note or check with Lender to see if applicable.
Impounds:
If taxes or insurance have been collected by the Lender, it may be a credit against the loan payoff. Different Lenders have different policies. Some Lenders will only refund the "escrow" balance once the loan has been paid off.
Interest:
Interest is paid in arrears. Therefore, interest is paid from the date of the last payment to the date the Lender receives payoff funds.
In the event of any discrepancies in your records and the figures on the payoff statement forwarded you by escrow, you must contact the Lender directly to resolve these matters.
PRORATED TAX
The tax year runs from July 1 to June 30. Taxes are delinquent December 10 and April 10 respectively. For prorated purposes, most new Lenders require that taxes be paid any time after November 1 and February 1. Therefore, after those dates, taxes will be paid and prorated to either January 1 or July 1 by crediting the Seller and debiting the Buyer from the date of close of escrow to either December 31 or June 30 respectively.
SUPPLEMENTAL TAX BILL
Unless a supplemental tax bill is issued prior to close of escrow, any prorated moneys and payment of same will be handled by and between the parties outside of escrow and the Escrow Holder need not be further concerned.
HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION FEES
Some associations charge transfer and move-in/move-out fees. The transfer fee is generally paid by the Seller, with move-in fees charged to the Buyer and move-out fees charged to the Seller. Read your CCR's for all applicable fees or contact the association or management company.
MONTHLY MAINTENANCE FEES
All dues must be current. At closing, the Seller is credited and the Buyer is debited from date of close of escrow to either the first day of the following month, or in the event fees are due either quarterly or annually, to the appropriate date.
TERMITE INSPECTION AND COMPLETION
Cost of the inspection report is generally $50.00 - $100.00. Work completed, if any, is per their quote. Most companies will waive their inspection fee if the work is completed by them.
CITY REPORT FEE
This fee must be paid up front and the check given to escrow to order the appropriate report. The fee for the City of Los Angeles, Department of Building & Safety is currently $70.20, City of Culver City, $30.00 and city of Santa Monica, $25.00. There is currently no fee for a city report for the cities of Beverly Hills or West Hollywood.
MISCELLANEOUS
Messenger Fees - Reimbursement on a dollar for dollar basis is required.
Escrow may charge a fee for a cashier's check or wire transfer. Fees vary from company to company.
Water Conservation Certification - $16.00 filing fee to the City of Los Angeles, and approximately $50.00 - $150.00 for the installation of the water conservation devices.
Smoke Detectors - Approximately $50.00 - $75.00 for the unit cost and installation of each smoke detector.
Impact Hazard Glazing - If applicable, the cost is based on the size of the window.
Generally, when trying to estimate costs, add approximately $500.00 to your totals as a cushion for any unexpected costs that may arise
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL FEES LISTED HERE ARE NOT NECESSARILY COMPLETE, ARE ESTIMATES ONLY AND CAN VARY.
Prudential / John Aaroe & Associates does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition of features of property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. This is not intended as a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another broker.

For assistance with buying or selling your home, or for further information, please click here and complete our Information Request Form