Closing Cost Estimator

This tool provides estimates, not official quotes. Some figures are based on regulated rates set by California law, while others are industry-typical averages for Orange County. Your actual costs will depend on your specific lender, title company, and transaction details. We've marked each item so you know where the number comes from.

Buyer Closing Costs

Cost	Rate	Source	Notes
Loan Origination	1% of loan	Industry standard	Most lenders charge 0.5%–1.5%. We use 1% as a midpoint. Your lender's rate may differ.
Appraisal Fee	Flat $550	OC average	Typical range in Orange County is $450–$700 depending on property size and complexity.
Home Inspection	Flat $450	OC average	Typical range is $350–$600. Larger or older homes tend to cost more.
Title Insurance	0.5% of price	Industry rule of thumb	Actual rates are tiered and vary by title company. CA does not regulate title insurance premiums. 0.5% is a common estimate.
Escrow Fee	0.2% of price	Industry rule of thumb	The common CA formula is roughly $2 per $1,000 plus a base fee. This approximates that.
Recording Fees	Flat $150	OC average	Set by the county. Orange County recording fees are typically $75–$225 depending on the number of documents.
Prepaid Insurance	0.3% of price	CA average estimate	California homeowner's insurance averages $1,200–$2,500/year depending on area and coverage. 0.3% is a mid-range estimate.
Prepaid Property Tax	1.25%, 3 months	Based on CA law	California's base rate is 1% (Prop 13), plus local bonds and assessments. OC effective rates run ~1.1%–1.3%. We use 1.25%.

Seller Closing Costs

Cost	Rate	Source	Notes
Agent Commission	5% of price	Industry typical	Historically 5–6%, now trending 4–5% since the 2024 NAR settlement. This is always negotiable.
Escrow Fee	0.2% of price	Industry rule of thumb	Typically split between buyer and seller in California. Your share may be half of this.
Title Insurance	0.5% of price	Industry rule of thumb	In Southern California, the seller customarily pays for the buyer's CLTA owner's policy.
Transfer Tax	0.11% of price	CA state law	The county documentary transfer tax is set by law at $1.10 per $1,000 of value. Some cities (not in OC) add a city transfer tax on top.
Recording Fees	Flat $150	OC average	County fee to record the deed transfer. Varies by number of pages and documents.
Payoff & Reconveyance	Flat $350	OC average	Covers the lender's payoff processing and the reconveyance (lien release) recording. Typically $250–$500.

How Well Does This Scale?

Most closing costs are calculated as a percentage of the purchase price or loan amount, so the estimate scales naturally whether you're looking at a $400K condo or a $2M house. The flat fees (appraisal, inspection, recording, payoff) total roughly $1,500 combined — a small fraction of any transaction.

What's Not Included

• HOA transfer fees — common for condos and planned communities in OC, typically $200–$1,000
• City transfer taxes — not applicable in most Orange County cities, but some CA cities charge extra
• PMI — if your down payment is under 20%, your lender will require private mortgage insurance (not a closing cost per se, but adds to monthly payment)
• Home warranty — often negotiated as part of the deal, typically $400–$600/year

For an exact breakdown tailored to your transaction, reach out to us — we're happy to walk through the numbers with you.