Buyer vs. Seller Closing Costs in Florida

When you buy or sell a home in Florida, the sale price is only part of the money that changes hands. Both sides pay closing costs — and knowing who typically pays what helps you budget and negotiate. Here’s how closing costs usually break down for buyers and sellers in Florida.

What the buyer typically pays

• Lender fees (loan origination, application, underwriting) if financing
• Appraisal and credit-report fees
• Title insurance lender’s policy (and often the owner’s policy, depending on the county and contract)
• Home inspection and survey
• Prepaid property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and escrow deposits
• Recording fees for the deed and mortgage

What the seller typically pays

• Real estate agent commissions (usually the largest single cost)
• Florida documentary stamp tax on the deed — $0.70 per $100 of the sale price in most counties
• Payoff of any existing mortgage or liens
• Owner’s title insurance policy (customary in many Florida counties, though negotiable)
• Prorated property taxes up to the closing date

The costs that are negotiable

Florida real estate contracts — especially the widely used “FR/Bar” and “AS IS” forms — let the parties decide who pays for the owner’s title policy and other items, and the custom varies by county. In Palm Beach and Martin Counties, these terms are often negotiated deal by deal. That flexibility is exactly why reading the contract carefully (or having an attorney review it) can save you real money.

Plan ahead

As a rough guide, buyers often see closing costs of about 2–5% of the purchase price, and sellers pay more once commissions are included. Ask for an estimate early so there are no surprises at the closing table.

This article is general information about Florida law, not legal advice. Every situation is different — contact Kerr Law Group to discuss yours.