Confused by closing costs in Orlando? You are not alone. Between state taxes, title fees, lender charges, and prorations, it can feel like a moving target. The good news is that most items follow clear Florida rules and local customs, and you can estimate your total with confidence. In this guide, you will learn what closing costs cover, who typically pays what in Orange County, realistic examples, and smart ways to plan ahead. Let’s dive in.

What closing costs cover

Closing costs are the fees and prepaids you pay at the closing table in addition to the contract price. For buyers, they are separate from your down payment. For sellers, they are paid from your proceeds after the sales price is credited.

In Florida, costs fall into two buckets:

• Government charges and recording fees. These include state documentary stamp taxes, the intangible tax on new mortgages, and Orange County recording fees.
• Transaction-specific items. These include lender fees, title and settlement charges, inspections, surveys, prorations of taxes or HOA dues, and prepaids like homeowners insurance and escrow deposits.

Typical ranges help you budget:

• Buyers often spend about 2% to 5% of the purchase price in closing costs, excluding the down payment.
• Sellers often spend about 1% to 3% of the sale price in non-commission closing costs. Real estate commission, often 5% to 6% of the sale price, is usually the largest seller expense.

Buyer closing costs in Orlando

Typical buyer fees

• Loan charges: origination or underwriting fee, processing, credit report, and optional discount points.
• Appraisal: ordered by your lender; buyers typically pay.
• Government taxes and recording: documentary stamp tax on the mortgage or note, intangible tax on the new mortgage principal, and recording fees for the mortgage and deed.
• Title and settlement: lender’s title insurance policy if you finance, and a portion of settlement or title fees if your contract assigns them to the buyer.
• Owner’s title insurance: in Florida it is customary for the seller to pay, but this is negotiable in the contract.
• Inspections and due diligence: home inspection, termite inspection, and survey if required by your lender or insurance.
• Prepaids and escrows: first-year homeowners insurance, prepaid interest from funding to month end, escrow deposits for property taxes and insurance, and prorations for taxes or HOA dues.
• Miscellaneous: flood certification, wire or courier fees, and HOA estoppel if your contract assigns it to you.

Who usually pays

• Buyers usually pay lender fees, appraisal, credit report, the lender’s title policy, documentary stamp tax on the new note, the intangible tax on the mortgage, recording the mortgage, prepaid interest, insurance, and initial escrow deposits.
• Buyers often pay inspections and the survey.
• Sellers in many Florida contracts customarily pay the owner’s title insurance premium and documentary stamp tax on the deed, but your purchase contract controls the final allocation.

Example for a $350,000 home

Let’s say you buy a $350,000 home in Orlando with an 80% loan ($280,000):

• Documentary stamp tax on the note (buyer): commonly 0.35% of the loan amount. On $280,000 that is about $980.
• Intangible tax on the mortgage (buyer): commonly 0.2% of the new mortgage principal. On $280,000 that is about $560.
• Appraisal: often $400 to $700.
• Lender/title charges for the buyer’s side: often $800 to $2,000 depending on your lender and title company.
• Prepaids and escrows: can range from several hundred to several thousand based on your insurance premium and the month you close.

In this scenario, buyer closing costs excluding the down payment can easily land around $6,000 to $12,000. Your exact total depends on your lender’s fees, whether the seller pays the owner’s title policy, tax and HOA prorations, and your insurance.

Ways to save as a buyer

• Shop lenders and compare itemized fees and rates.
• Ask about lender or seller credits to offset costs if your loan program allows.
• Time your closing near month end to reduce prepaid interest.
• Confirm who pays the owner’s title policy in your offer; if the seller pays, your out-of-pocket often drops.

Seller closing costs in Orlando

Typical seller fees

• Real estate commission: usually the largest expense and negotiated in your listing agreement.
• Documentary stamp tax on the deed: a Florida state tax commonly paid by the seller.
• Title and settlement: owner’s title insurance premium is customarily a seller expense in Florida, along with any seller-side settlement fees and title search or payoff processing.
• Prorations and adjustments: property taxes, HOA dues, condo assessments, and utilities prorated to the day of closing.
• Other items: agreed repairs, a home warranty if you offer one, and any seller credits toward buyer closing costs.
• Mortgage payoff: your remaining loan balance plus any payoff or release fees.

Example on a $350,000 sale

• Real estate commission at 6%: $21,000.
• Documentary stamp tax on the deed: commonly 0.7% of the price, or about $2,450.
• Owner’s title insurance premium and seller settlement fees: often several hundred to over $1,000 depending on the title rate schedule and provider.
• Property tax and HOA prorations: vary based on the closing date and billing cycles.

Your net proceeds are the sale price minus these items and your mortgage payoff. The commission is usually the largest single line item, so small differences in title or recording fees tend to have a smaller impact on your final net.

What is negotiable

• Owner’s title insurance and some settlement fees, depending on the contract form you use.
• Repairs and closing cost credits to the buyer.
• Who orders and pays for items like the HOA estoppel letter.

Estimate totals and timing

How to get precise numbers

• Buyers: ask your lender for a Loan Estimate early, then review your Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing for final figures.
• Sellers: request a net proceeds worksheet from your listing agent or title company, then review the settlement statement before closing.

Florida taxes and common formulas

• Documentary stamp tax on the deed: commonly calculated as about 0.7% of the total consideration. This is often a seller expense by custom.
• Documentary stamp tax on the promissory note: commonly about 0.35% of the mortgage amount and typically a buyer expense.
• Intangible tax on the mortgage: commonly about 0.2% of the new mortgage principal and typically a buyer expense.

Confirm current Florida Department of Revenue guidance when you prepare your estimate, since tax rules and interpretations can change.

Recording, title premiums, and fees

• Orange County recording fees vary by document type and page count. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller publishes the fee schedule.
• Title insurance premiums follow a state rate schedule and depend on the sale price and whether you purchase an owner’s policy, a lender’s policy, or both. Your title company can quote the exact premium.

Payment methods and logistics

• Buyers typically bring a cashier’s check or wire funds for the amount on the Closing Disclosure. Your title company will specify acceptable methods.
• Sellers receive proceeds after payoffs are confirmed and documents are recorded. Funding timelines can vary with lender and payoff processing.
• Protect yourself from wire fraud. Always verify wiring instructions by phone using a known, trusted number for the title company.

Orange County specifics to know

• Local custom often assigns the owner’s title insurance premium and documentary stamp tax on the deed to the seller, while the buyer pays the documentary stamp tax on the note and the intangible tax on the new mortgage. The purchase contract controls, so confirm in writing.
• Orange County recording is handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, and fees depend on the documents recorded. Your title company will calculate exact charges for your file.

Quick checklists

Buyer checklist

• Confirm who pays the owner’s title insurance in your offer.
• Request a Loan Estimate and compare lender fees and rates.
• Budget 2% to 5% of the price for closing costs, excluding your down payment.
• Schedule appraisal and inspections early in your contingency window.
• Shop homeowners insurance and understand your escrow setup.
• Plan your funds transfer and verify wiring instructions by phone.

Seller checklist

• Ask for a net proceeds worksheet before you list and again when you accept an offer.
• Confirm commission details and discuss pricing, credits, or repairs upfront.
• Decide who will provide title and confirm the owner’s title premium and deed stamp tax.
• Order HOA documents early and prepare for prorations of taxes and dues.
• Coordinate payoff details with your lender and gather any release information.

Ready to plan your closing costs?

You do not have to guess your numbers. With local customs, Florida tax rules, and your contract in mind, you can dial in a clear estimate early and avoid last-minute surprises. If you want a personalized buyer estimate or a detailed seller net sheet for your neighborhood, reach out to a local advisor who closes homes across Winter Park, Windermere, Lake Mary, and the greater Orlando area. Connect with Pamela Porazzo for tailored guidance and a smooth path to the closing table.

FAQs

What are average buyer closing costs in Orlando?

• Buyers commonly pay about 2% to 5% of the purchase price in closing costs, excluding the down payment. Your exact total depends on your loan, title charges, insurance, and prorations.

Who pays owner’s title insurance in Orange County?

• It is customary in Florida for the seller to pay the owner’s title insurance premium, but this is negotiable. Your purchase contract determines who pays.

What taxes apply to Florida mortgages at closing?

• Buyers typically pay the documentary stamp tax on the promissory note and the intangible tax on the new mortgage principal. Common shorthand rates are 0.35% and 0.2% respectively.

When do buyers see final closing numbers?

• Your lender must provide a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing. Review it carefully and ask your title company to confirm wire instructions.

How are property taxes handled at closing in Orlando?

• Taxes are prorated to the closing date. Sellers pay for the days they owned the home, and buyers may set up an escrow account for future tax and insurance payments.