How Much Are Closing Costs in Ohio 2024?

Whether it’s your first home or your second, buying a new home is an exciting and important decision. But before you start ordering new furniture or appliances, you’ll want to consider how much you’ll need to pay for closing costs.

Closing costs are the fees and expenses associated with finalizing a real estate transaction and transferring ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. If you’re feeling unprepared or overwhelmed, don’t worry. To help you budget for closing costs, this Redfin article will cover how much closing costs are in Ohio, who pays for them, and which costs you can expect to pay as a buyer and as a seller.

How much are closing costs on average in Ohio ?

Before securing the keys to your new home, homebuyers will need to pay for closing costs. On average, you can expect closing costs in Ohio to add up between 2%-5% of the purchase price. But it’s important to remember that this is just a range and the total amount will depend on a number of factors, such as the purchase price of the home, the type of loan, and any adjustments negotiated with the seller.

Let’s say you’re buying a home in Columbus, where the median home sale price is $285,000. Based on this, you could expect closing costs to be between $5,700 and $14,250. Whereas if you’re buying a home in Cincinnati, which has a median sale price of $280,000, closing costs could be anywhere from $5,600 to $14,000.

Who pays closing costs in Ohio?

In most areas, including Ohio, both the buyer and the seller will pay closing costs. But the buyer and seller will pay for different closing costs and likely have different total closing cost amounts. Keep in mind that it’s common for the buyer to pay closing costs out of pocket, while the seller’s closing costs are usually deducted from the home sale proceeds.

Buyer closing costs in Ohio

Closing costs in Ohio for buyers typically range from 2%-5%. If you’ve paid earnest money, which is typically 1%-3% of the home’s price, this amount will be subtracted from your closing costs. Below are some of the common closing costs paid for by the buyer:

• Appraisal fee: Your mortgage lender will require a home appraisal to ensure the home value is equal to or more than the loan amount. Home appraisals typically cost between $300 and $500, depending on location. If you pay at the time of service, it will not be included in your closing costs.
• Inspection fee: Home inspections generally range from $300 to $500 – they can vary based on local rates and the property’s specific characteristics. If you don’t pay for the inspection at the time of service, this will need to be paid at closing.
• Loan origination fee: Your lender may charge a fee for creating your loan. It’s important to inquire about what this cost covers and whether it’s negotiable to potentially avoid high costs.
• Loan processing fee: Lenders may also charge a loan processing fee, covering underwriting and related services. Similar to the origination fee, check with your lender to understand its purpose and possible waivers.
• Loan discount points: If you’ve purchased points to lower your interest rate, you’ll usually pay a one-time fee at closing. Each point can lower your rate by 0.25% to 0.5%. Consider your long-term plans, such as how long you plan to own the home or if you plan to re-finance, before purchasing points.
• Private mortgage insurance (PMI): When your down payment is under 20%, you’re typically required to pay PMI. Some loans allow upfront PMI payment at closing, giving you the choice between higher upfront costs or increased monthly payments.
• Title insurance: Title insurance is a one-time closing cost, with buyers commonly paying for both lender and owner policies.
• Homeowners insurance: Your annual homeowners insurance premium may be included in your closing costs in Ohio.
• Homeowners Association dues: If your property is part of a homeowners association, you’ll likely pay one month’s dues upfront at closing. These fees vary and contribute to maintenance and operational costs.
• Property taxes: Buyers may have to prepay property taxes as part of their closing costs in Ohio.

Seller closing costs in Ohio

How much closing costs are in Ohio for sellers will vary between each transaction, but here are a few common closing costs that sellers pay for:

• Real estate agent commission fees: These fees can be a significant cost for sellers. Commission fees may vary and are subject to negotiation. Sellers should discuss their options with their agent.
• Homeowners Association fees: If the house is part of a homeowners association, sellers are usually responsible for settling any outstanding HOA fees or assessments up to the date of closing. Additionally, sellers may need to provide certain HOA documents to the buyer as part of the sale.
• Property taxes: Sellers are responsible for any property taxes that have accrued but not yet been paid up to the closing date. These unpaid property taxes are typically prorated for the months that you owned the property.
• Title insurance: Owner’s title insurance is another common closing cost in Ohio paid for by the seller.
• Transfer taxes: In Ohio, sellers are responsible for paying state and possibly local transfer taxes. These taxes are typically a percentage of the property’s sale price and can vary widely by jurisdiction.

Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during July 2024.

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