💰 The Truth About Closing Costs — And Who Can Really Pay Them

What Are Closing Costs (and Why Do They Exist)?

You’ve probably heard someone say, “Don’t forget about closing costs!” But what are they really?

Closing costs are simply the fees it takes to finalize your home loan — the finishing touches that make your purchase official, legal, and complete.

They’re not random “junk fees.” They’re real costs tied to real professionals doing the work to get you into your home.

Here’s what they typically include:

• 🏦 Lender Fees: Underwriting, processing, and sometimes origination fees.
  
  

• 🏠 Third-Party Fees: Appraisal, title work, notary, and credit report.
  
  

• 📆 Prepaids: Property taxes, homeowners insurance, and the interest that covers the days between closing and your first payment.
  
  

On average, these add up to 2–4% of your loan amount.
So, for a $300,000 home loan, that’s roughly $6,000 to $12,000 in closing costs.

Who Can Pay Closing Costs?

Here’s the part most buyers never hear — you actually have options.

✅ The Buyer – You can pay closing costs directly from your own funds. Totally normal.

✅ The Seller – The seller can offer a credit (written right into your contract) to help cover part or all of your closing costs. Your lender and Realtor work together to structure this strategy.

✅ The Lender – Some lenders can cover part of your closing costs through a lender credit — usually in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate. It’s a strategic give-and-take.

✅ The Realtor – Believe it or not, your Realtor can legally contribute a portion of their commission toward your closing costs. It’s not common — but it’s 100% allowed.

So when people act like the only money on the table comes from you or the lender, that’s not quite true. The right team can make your numbers work in creative, legal, and strategic ways.

Strategy Beats Stress

At The Complete Home Experience, our goal isn’t to avoid closing costs — it’s to understand them and plan for them.

When you know what they are and who can help cover them, you take back control of your purchase.

We’ll look at your full financial picture and decide together which combination — buyer, seller, lender, or even agent contributions — makes the most sense for your goals.

That’s what turns overwhelm into empowerment.

Download Your Free Complete Home Buyer Roadmap

If you want a clear, customized breakdown of what your closing costs might look like — and how to structure them strategically — grab your free copy of the Complete Home Buyer Roadmap below.

It’s the exact guide my clients use to go from confused to closing day confident.

📥 Download your FREE Complete Home Buyer Roadmap Here

I’m Ashley Courville with The Complete Home Experience — and I’m here to help you buy smart, not scared. Book a Strategy call with me today!

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