Who Pays Closing Costs in Metro DC Real Estate?

You’ve found your dream home in Metro DC, you’ve estimated your mortgage, and now it’s time to go to the closing table. There is one more set of costs to consider before the deal is said and done, but as many local buyers wonder this same question, The Estridge Group is here to answer— Who pays the closing costs?

The answer is both sides of the real estate transaction pay closing costs. The amount you owe in closing costs can easily be figured based on the mortgage loan amount of the purchase price, but below are a few more important points to note:

Buyers typically have more expenses

The majority of the Washington DC area buyer‘s closing costs stem from the loan. Costs including the appraisal fee, origination fee, credit report fee, recording fee, notary fee, title insurance, prepaid insurance, prepaid interest and the like will all come due at the closing table. To avoid any surprises, ask your lender to go over each expense and how it may affect your loan.

Sellers typically pay more

While buyers in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, DC, and Northern Virginia may have more expenses outlined in their final closing cost statement, sellers tend to pay more. Why? The seller is often responsible for paying the real estate commission which is based on a percentage of the total sale price of the home.

You can negotiate costs

Just like anything else in a real estate offer, you can always negotiate as there may be some wiggle room with closing costs. For instance, instead of asking for a reduction in the purchase price of the home (which may have very little affect in your overall monthly payment), you can ask for a credit toward closing costs which can allow you to save some of the out-of-pocket expense when the time comes to write that check.

Ready to buy a home in Metro DC? As your local real estate experts, The Estridge Group is here to guide you through the process! Give us a call today with any questions or for a list of available homes in the area!