Buyer closing cost calculator
Add the down payment, loan costs and other closing costs, including prepaid interest to the end of the month and the initial escrow deposit. Subtract earnest money and credits to see the cash the buyer brings.
Estimate only. Fees, points, escrow months and who pays transfer taxes vary by lender, state and contract. Your lender's Loan Estimate and the Closing Disclosure you get at least three business days before closing show the real numbers.
Cash to close is the down payment plus closing costs, minus the earnest money deposit, seller credits and lender credits. Closing costs include lender fees, points, title and escrow, recording fees, prepaid interest to month end, prepaid insurance and the initial escrow deposit. On a $400,000 purchase with 20% down, that can come to about $80,177.
How to use the buyer closing cost calculator
Enter the purchase
Price, down payment, interest rate and the closing date (for prepaid interest).
Add the costs
Lender fees, points, title and escrow, recording, insurance, and months of escrow for taxes and insurance.
Subtract what's paid
Earnest money, seller credits and lender credits come off the total.
What the buyer closing cost calculator covers
Laid out like the Loan Estimate
Down payment, loan costs, other costs, then deposit and credits.
Prepaid interest
Per-diem interest from the closing date to the end of that month, 365 or 360-day year.
Initial escrow deposit
Months of property tax and insurance the lender collects at closing.
Points as a percentage
Discount points figured on the loan amount, not the price.
Print or copy
Print the estimate or copy it as text for a buyer email.
- Formula
- Cash to close = down payment + closing costs − deposit − seller credits − lender credits
- Prepaid interest
- Loan × rate ÷ 365 (or 360) × days from closing through month end, closing day included
- Escrow deposit
- Yearly tax or insurance ÷ 12 × the months your lender collects
- Cost and privacy
- Free, no sign-up; runs in your browser
Questions about the buyer closing cost calculator
How do I estimate cash to close?
Add the down payment and all closing costs, then subtract the earnest money already paid and any seller or lender credits. The CFPB explains that the Loan Estimate's cash to close includes the down payment and closing costs, minus your deposit and seller credits.
What is prepaid interest at closing?
Interest on the loan from the closing date to the end of that month, which the CFPB lists among the prepaids paid at closing. On a $320,000 loan at 6.5%, that's about $56.99 a day.
What goes into the initial escrow deposit?
A few months of property taxes and homeowner's insurance, so the escrow account has enough when the bills come due. The number of months depends on your lender and local tax due dates.
Why is earnest money subtracted?
The buyer already paid it. At closing it's credited as the Deposit on the Closing Disclosure, so it lowers the cash still owed.
Are these the real closing costs?
No, it's an estimate. Fees and who pays transfer taxes vary by lender, state and contract. Your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure show the real numbers.
Can Closingbird keep the buyer informed before closing?
Yes. Closingbird keeps every deadline, document request and party on the file, and buyers can see progress on a private status page without logging in.
Guides and features for this step of the deal
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