Closing costs

Closing costs are fees paid at the "closing" of a real estate transaction. This point in time called the "closing" is when the title to the property is conveyed (transferred) to the buyer. Closing costs are incurred by either the buyer or the seller.
Examples of typical closing costs.
Other items in addition to the above may be common in some jurisdictions, and some transactions may include unusual or unique items as closing costs. In the United States, federal law requires that all residential transactions financed by a mortgage have all closing costs documented in detail upon the standard HUD-1 form. This information must be provided to the principals but does not have to be sent to the government. Instead a Declaration or Statement by Buyer and/or Seller is often required to be provided to the government office recording the deed. Form 1099-S may be required to be sent to the United States Internal Revenue Service, but Federal law does not allow a charge for this.