How Much Are Closing Costs in Georgia?

If you have ever reached the final stretch of a home purchase or sale and felt blindsided by a long list of fees, you are not alone. Closing costs can be confusing! This guide walks through every line item: what it is, who pays it, and roughly what to expect.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your transaction, please consult a licensed Georgia closing attorney.

What Are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are the fees and charges paid at the closing, which is the final step in a real estate transaction where ownership officially transfers from seller to buyer. In Georgia, both buyers and sellers have their own set of costs, and the totals can vary significantly based on the purchase price, loan type, and the specific services involved.

As a general rule of thumb:

• Buyers typically pay between 2% and 5% of the purchase price in closing costs.
• Sellers typically pay between 6% and 10%, largely because of real estate agent commissions.

What Do Buyers Pay at Closing in Georgia?

Attorney and Title Fees

Georgia is an attorney-closing state, which means a licensed attorney must oversee every real estate closing. The closing attorney represents the lender (or the buyer in a cash transaction) and handles the title search, title insurance, and the preparation of closing documents.

At Wasdin Closing Group, our closing attorney fee for buyer-side representation is $695. This covers the attorney's time, document preparation, and coordination of the closing.

Title insurance is a separate cost. There are two types:

• Lender's title insurance — required by virtually all mortgage lenders; protects the lender against title defects.
• Owner's title insurance — optional but strongly recommended; protects the buyer against future title claims.

Title insurance premiums in Georgia are based on the purchase price and are set by state-filed rates.

Recording Fees

The deed and mortgage must be recorded with the county clerk's office. Recording fees vary by county but are typically modest (25 per document plus e-recording fees)

Intangibles Tax

Georgia charges an intangibles tax on new mortgage loans at a rate of $1.50 per $500 of the loan amount (or 0.3%). On a $300,000 mortgage, that works out to $900. This is a buyer cost, not a seller cost.

Lender Fees

If you are financing the purchase, your lender will charge a variety of fees that appear on your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure. Common lender fees include:

• Origination fee — typically 0.5%–1% of the loan amount
• Underwriting fee — often $400–$900
• Appraisal fee — usually $400–$600
• Credit report fee — typically $25–$50

Prepaids and Escrow Deposits

These are not fees in the traditional sense — they are prepaid expenses and initial escrow deposits that your lender collects at closing:

• Prepaid homeowner's insurance — usually the first year's premium paid upfront
• Prepaid mortgage interest — interest from the closing date to the end of the month
• Escrow deposits — initial deposits for property taxes and insurance, typically 2–3 months' worth

FHA and VA Loan-Specific Costs

If you are using an FHA loan, you will pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) of 1.75% of the loan amount, which is typically rolled into the loan. VA loans have a funding fee that ranges from 1.25% to 3.3% depending on your down payment and whether it is your first VA loan.

What Do Sellers Pay at Closing in Georgia?

Real Estate Agent Commissions

This is typically the largest seller cost. Commission is negotiated between the seller and their listing agent, but has historically been around 5%–6% of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. Commission structures have been evolving following recent industry changes, so it is worth discussing this carefully with your agent.

Seller's Attorney Fee

Sellers in Georgia also typically pay a closing attorney fee, which covers the preparation of the deed and other seller-side documents. This is separate from the buyer's attorney fee.

Georgia Transfer Tax

Georgia charges a real estate transfer tax of $1 per $1,000 of the sale price (or 0.1%). On a $400,000 sale, that is $400. This is a seller cost.

Recording Fees

The seller pays to record the satisfaction of any existing mortgage (deed of release) with the county. This is typically charged by the mortgage company in the payoff statement.

How Do Closing Costs Vary by Loan Type?

Loan Type	Notable Buyer Cost
Conventional	Standard lender fees; no MIP if 20%+ down
FHA	Upfront MIP (1.75% of loan) + monthly MIP
VA	Funding fee (1.25%–3.3%); no PMI
Cash	No lender fees; lower overall costs

Cash buyers typically have the lowest closing costs because there are no lender fees, no appraisal requirement (though one is recommended), and no mortgage-related taxes.

Can Closing Costs Be Negotiated?

Yes! In several ways:

• Seller concessions: In a buyer's market, sellers sometimes agree to cover a portion of the buyer's closing costs. This is negotiated in the purchase contract.
• Lender credits: Some lenders offer a higher interest rate in exchange for a lender credit that offsets closing costs.
• Shopping for services: In Georgia, buyers have the right to shop for certain services like title insurance and settlement services. Comparing quotes can save money.

Use Our Free Closing Cost Calculator

The best way to get a realistic estimate for your specific transaction is to run the numbers yourself. Our Georgia Closing Cost Calculator lets you enter your purchase price, loan type, and buyer or seller role to get a detailed fee breakdown in seconds.

Questions? We Are Here to Help

Closing costs can feel overwhelming, but they do not have to be. At Wasdin Closing Group, we walk every client through their closing disclosure line by line so there are no surprises at the table. We serve buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals throughout Alpharetta and the greater Atlanta area.

If you have questions about your upcoming closing, reach out to schedule a consultation. We would be glad to help.