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San Francisco Real Estate Closing Costs: Who Pays What?

October 24, 2008

Here's a guide to closing costs. In other words, who pays what?

This list is a general guideline of charges and may not be wholly inclusive for your transaction.

The Seller customarily pays:

  • Real Estate Commissions
  • Document Preparation for Deed
  • Documentary Transfer Tax (amount is dependent upon sales price)
  • Payoff of all Loans against the Property
  • Interest Accrued on Loans Being Paid Off, Reconveyance Fees and Pre-Payment Penalties
  • Home Warranty (if specified in contract)
  • Any Judgment or Tax Liens Against the Seller
  • Property Tax Proration
  • Unpaid Homeowners’s Dues (for condominiums)
  • Bonds or Assessments
  • Delinquent Taxes
  • Move-out Fees (for Condominiums)
  • Notary Fees and Recordation Fees
  • Third party Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement and California Tax Disclosure Report
  • Pre-sale Pest Inspection Fee
  • Underground Storage Tank Report
  • Miscellaneous Changes


The Buyer Customarily Pays;

  • Title Insurance Premium for Lender and Buyer
  • Escrow Fee
  • Notary Fees
  • Contractor’s and Pest Inspection Fees
  • All new Loan Changes (points, appraisal, document processing fees, etc.)
  • Interest on New Loan From Date of Funding to 30 Days Prior to the 1st Payment Date
  • Beneficiary Fee from Assumptions of Existing Loan
  • Home Warranty (if specified in contract)
  • Homeowner’s Insurance for 1st Year
  • Earthquake Insurance (optional)
  • Private Mortgage Insurance (typically 2 months) if Required by Lender
  • Private Mortgage Insurance Impound Account (1 year) if Required by Lender
  • Property Tax Impound Account if Required by Lender
  • Move-in Fee (for condominiums)
  • HOA Account Transfer Fee
  • Miscellaneous Changes


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View Full Street Address SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114 (415) 528-7355 ©2008 VIVRE REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES, OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT, OR ZONING EXPERT. IF YOUR PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY LISTED WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE BROKER, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS OFFER. IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO SOLICIT THE OFFERINGS OF OTHER REAL ESTATE BROKERS. WE COOPERATE WITH THEM FULLY. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. ALL INFORMATION DEEMED RELIABLE BUT NOT GUARANTEED AND SHOULD BE INDEPENDENTLY REVIEWED AND VERIFIED.
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