Some cities and counties also charge their own transfer tax.

If you sell for California's median home value - $769,405 - you'd pay $846. Still, it's always possible the buyer will try to get you to pay for this in negotiations, so make sure you have a quality real estate agent looking out for your best interests.Ĭalifornia charges you about 0.11% of your home's sale price to transfer the title to the new owner. In California, the buyer usually pays for lender's title insurance, so you're off the hook. Just like owner's title insurance protects the buyer, lender's title insurance protects the bank or financial institution that issued the buyer a mortgage. » MORE: What is title insurance, and why do you need it? However, title companies in California often use tiered pricing to determine how much you'll pay for a policy based on your home's value. If you do pay part of the bill, owner's title insurance usually costs around 0.17% of a California home's final sale price - or $1,338 for a $769,405 home. In California, it's more common for the seller to pay for owner's title insurance. It will pay for any legal fees if mistakes are found - or potentially even reimburse the value of the home. Owner's title insurance protects the buyer if there's a problem with the property title. In California, buyers and sellers usually pay for their own title company or closing agent, but don't expect this for every sale. To ensure there are no claims or liens on your home, your settlement agent will complete a title search. When you sell your home, you have to transfer legal ownership of the property to the buyer. Title fees cover the costs of the title search and title transfer.

» MORE: See how Clever can help match you with the perfect agent

Clever can help by matching you with a top agent in your area who can score you a great deal. If you want to get the most out of negotiations, you'll need an experienced agent who has your best interests in mind. While closing costs will always have to be paid, your real estate agent can often negotiate who pays them - you or the buyer. These closing costs are only an estimate. Optional costs for sellers include buyer incentives, pro-rated property taxes, or for an attorney.īuyers, on the other hand, pay for things like mortgage, appraisal, and inspection fees. In California, sellers typically pay for the title and closing service fees, owner's title insurance policy, transfer taxes, and recording fees at closing. Buyers and sellers each pay unique closing costs to finalize a home sale.

Average closing costs in california