Which items are typically included in closing costs?

Study for the Aceable Agent Finance Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Closing costs are the fees you pay to finish a real estate transaction, separate from the down payment. The items listed—origination fees, appraisal, title insurance, and recording fees—are exactly the kinds of charges that show up at closing. Origination fees cover the lender’s work to process the loan, the appraisal confirms the home's value, title insurance protects against title defects, and recording fees pay the county to record the deed and mortgage.

Property taxes or prepaid insurance premiums can come into play at closing, but they don’t by themselves represent all closing costs, and they aren’t the only charges you’ll encounter. Principal and interest, on the other hand, are part of your ongoing monthly mortgage payments after closing, not closing costs paid at the closing table.