For Buyers

What Will Closing Cost You?

Estimate the cash you'll need at the closing table on a Peninsula home purchase, beyond your down payment.

Closing Cost Estimator

Enter your purchase details

Estimated Closing Costs
Loan Origination & Underwriting
Title Insurance (Lender's Policy)
Escrow Fee
Appraisal & Inspections
Recording & County Fees
Prepaid Property Tax (2 months)
Prepaid Insurance & Reserves
Total Estimated Closing Costs
Down Payment
Estimated Cash to Close
Estimates only. Actual closing costs vary by lender, escrow company, loan product, and negotiation. Buyer transfer tax does not apply to standard purchases in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties (seller customarily pays the county transfer tax). Lisa M. Lum and Coldwell Banker Realty do not warrant accuracy. Consult your loan officer and escrow officer for a Loan Estimate. User assumes all risk.

Buyer Closing Costs Explained

What's the rule of thumb for buyer closing costs in California?

On the SF Peninsula, buyer closing costs typically run between 1.5% and 2.5% of the purchase price for a financed transaction. All-cash buyers usually fall under 1% because there are no lender fees. The exact figure depends on your lender, loan size, escrow company, and which county you're closing in.

Who pays the transfer tax in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties?

By local custom, the seller pays the county transfer tax in both San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Buyers do not budget for this line item on a standard resale. A few cities (San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland) have additional city-level transfer taxes that may be split, but no Peninsula city in our area imposes one of the same magnitude.

What's the biggest line item I should plan for?

Prepaid property tax. At closing, you'll fund a property tax reserve account, typically 2 months of taxes, plus you'll prorate the seller's prepaid taxes through the closing date. On a $3M Peninsula home, this can easily total $7,000 to $12,000 at the closing table, before your first regular tax bill arrives months later.

Need an exact figure for your offer?

Lisa partners with the Peninsula's most reliable lenders and escrow officers and can pull a precise net cost-to-close for any property you're considering.

Request a Buyer Cost Sheet