Closing cost worksheet

What this worksheet is for

Our free downloadable worksheet, doorline-closing-cost-worksheet.pdf, is a simple planning tool. It helps buyers and sellers write down the costs that often show up before closing, at closing, and sometimes after move-in.

It is not a quote, loan estimate, legal document, or tax advice. Real numbers depend on the home, the price, the location, the loan, and the agreement with the agent and other service providers. Use it to stay organized, not to replace a licensed professional.

If you are new to this process, start with understanding closing costs for a plain-language overview.

What kinds of costs you may want to track

The worksheet is most useful when you fill it in with real estimates from your own transaction. Common items people track include:

• Buyer costs: earnest money, down payment, lender fees, appraisal, credit report, title-related fees, recording fees, prepaid taxes or insurance, moving costs, and repair or inspection costs
• Seller costs: title-related fees, transfer or recording charges where applicable, attorney fees in states where attorneys are commonly used, moving costs, repairs, concessions, mortgage payoff-related fees if any, and agent compensation if agreed in writing
• Shared or situational costs: home inspection, survey, home warranty if offered, HOA transfer charges, and prorated property taxes or dues where applicable

Typical ranges can help you plan, but they are still only estimates. Buyers often see closing costs around 2-5% of the purchase price. Sellers often see closing costs around 1-3%, not including any agent compensation they agree to pay. Down payments commonly range from 3-20% depending on the loan. These are not promises.

If you are still learning the basics, financing basics can help you understand where some of these numbers come from.

How to use the worksheet step by step

1. Start with the home price or expected sale price. That gives you a base for rough planning.
2. Add the known numbers first. Example: your earnest money, down payment goal, inspection fee, or moving budget.
3. List estimated closing costs in separate lines. Keep lender, title, government, prepaid, and optional costs separate so you can compare later.
4. Mark each item as estimated, quoted, paid, or negotiable. This keeps you from treating an early estimate like a final bill.
5. Compare documents side by side. For buyers, compare your early loan estimate with later disclosures. For sellers, compare your net sheet or settlement estimate with the final closing statement.
6. Ask questions in writing. If a fee changed, ask why. If a fee is unclear, ask who charges it and whether it is optional.
7. Review everything before signing. Read every agreement and fee in writing and confirm that you understand what you are paying for.

A licensed real-estate agent can help you understand the transaction process, and a licensed lender or attorney may be needed depending on the issue and your state. Verify any license yourself before you move forward.

How this helps you avoid expensive mistakes

People often get in trouble when they focus only on the monthly payment or only on the sale price. The worksheet helps you slow down and look at the full picture.

It can help you:

• catch fees you forgot to budget for
• see whether you have enough cash for closing and move-in
• compare one estimate against another without guessing
• spot charges that need an explanation
• prepare better questions for your agent, lender, title company, or attorney

One more important caution: if you ever need to send money for a deposit or closing, confirm wiring instructions by phone using a trusted number before sending anything. Wire fraud is real, and last-minute email changes can be fake.

Download it, then get matched if you want local help

You can download doorline-closing-cost-worksheet.pdf and fill it out as you collect estimates.

If you want help finding a local licensed real-estate agent, DoorLine can match you at no cost to you. DoorLine is a free matching service. We are not a brokerage, lender, law firm, or tax advisor, and we do not give legal, mortgage, or tax advice. Participating agents pay a flat marketing fee to be featured.

You compare agents. You choose who to talk to. You decide who to work with. Start here: get matched.

DoorLine welcomes all buyers and sellers and follows the Fair Housing Act. If you want a quick refresher on your rights, read your fair housing rights.