Wondering how much cash you need at closing to buy a home in Long Beach? You are not alone. Closing costs can feel confusing, and planning the right amount matters just as much as your down payment. In this guide, you will see what typical buyer costs look like in Long Beach and Los Angeles County, who usually pays what, and how to budget with confidence. Let’s dive in.
What buyer closing costs include
Loan and lender fees
Most buyers pay fees tied to the mortgage. Common items include:
- Loan origination or processing, often 0.5% to 1.5% of the loan amount or a flat fee.
- Optional discount points if you choose to buy down your rate, often 0% to 2% of the loan amount.
- Appraisal, typically $400 to $900 depending on property type and complexity.
- Credit report, usually $25 to $75.
- Underwriting and admin, commonly $300 to $1,200 combined.
- Program-specific upfronts if using FHA, VA, or USDA. Mortgage insurance may apply based on program and down payment.
Title and escrow fees
These third parties help ensure you receive clear title and that funds are handled correctly.
- Lender’s title insurance policy, usually required by your lender and generally buyer-paid.
- Owner’s title insurance policy, often seller-paid in many California transactions, but this is negotiable.
- Escrow or settlement fees for managing documents, funds, and recording. Amounts vary by price and provider.
- Title search and document prep, often bundled with title or escrow.
Government and recording charges
Expect a few modest county-level fees and possible transfer taxes.
- County recording fees to record your deed and loan documents, typically tens to low hundreds of dollars per document.
- Documentary transfer tax or a city transfer tax where applicable. Whether the buyer or seller pays can vary by city and by negotiation. Confirm with your escrow team and the purchase agreement.
- Special district fees or assessments if the property is in a district with bonds or Mello-Roos. You may inherit future payments.
Prepaids and prorations
These are upfront amounts, not fees, that set up your new home’s ongoing bills.
- Property taxes prorated based on the closing date. You often reimburse the seller for your share and may prepay reserves depending on your lender.
- First year of homeowners insurance is often paid at closing or collected by the lender.
- Prepaid interest from your closing date to the end of the month.
- HOA dues, reserves, move-in fees, or transfer fees if you buy a condo or home in an association.
Inspections and other items
Most buyers choose added due diligence.
- General home inspection, pest, roof, sewer scope, and other specialty reports often total $300 to $1,000 or more depending on scope.
- HOA document fees and condo resale packages, often a few hundred dollars.
- Notary, courier, and wire fees, which are usually small flat fees.
How much buyers typically pay
As a rule of thumb, total buyer closing costs in California markets like Long Beach often run about 2% to 5% of the purchase price, excluding the down payment. Your final number depends on your loan program, rate points, title and escrow splits, and prepaids tied to your closing date.
Sample totals by price point
These examples assume a conventional loan and typical ranges.
$500,000 purchase price
- Lender and loan costs: $3,000 to $8,000
- Title and escrow: $1,200 to $4,000
- Recording and county fees: $100 to $300
- Prepaids and prorations: $1,500 to $4,000
- Estimated total: about $10,000 to $25,000
$800,000 purchase price
- Lender and loan costs: $4,500 to $12,000
- Title and escrow: $1,800 to $6,000
- Recording and county fees: $150 to $400
- Prepaids and prorations: $2,500 to $6,500
- Estimated total: about $16,000 to $40,000
$1,200,000 purchase price
- Lender and loan costs: $6,000 to $18,000
- Title and escrow: $2,500 to $9,000
- Recording and county fees: $200 to $500
- Prepaids and prorations: $3,500 to $9,000
- Estimated total: about $24,000 to $60,000
Key variables include optional discount points, who pays the owner’s title policy, and how much you prepay for taxes, insurance, and interest based on the closing date.
Who pays what in Los Angeles County
Typical buyer-paid items
- Lender fees tied to your mortgage application and approval.
- Appraisal, credit report, and loan-specific charges.
- Lender’s title insurance policy.
- Recording fees for lender-required documents.
- Prepaids such as first-year homeowners insurance, prepaid interest, and prorated property taxes.
- Inspections and buyer-ordered reports.
- HOA move-in or transfer fees when buyer-responsible per the association or contract.
Typical seller-paid items
- Owner’s title insurance policy in many California transactions, subject to negotiation.
- Some or all city or county transfer taxes depending on local custom and the purchase agreement.
- A portion of escrow fees, which are sometimes split.
- Real estate commission paid to listing and buyer brokerages in most California sales.
- Seller’s loan payoff and any liens.
Negotiable items to confirm
- Escrow fee splits. Many Southern California deals split 50-50, but practices vary.
- Owner’s title insurance. Often seller-paid, but sometimes negotiated to the buyer.
- City transfer taxes. Local rules and customs vary, so verify with escrow and your contract.
- HOA transfer and move-in fees. Check association documents and the purchase agreement.
Local tips for Long Beach buyers
- Confirm whether a city transfer tax applies in Long Beach and who pays it. Local rules and customs vary by city and deal.
- Ask escrow to check for special district assessments, including Mello-Roos, and how those payments will be handled.
- Request HOA documents early. Note any transfer fees, move-in fees, or required reserves.
- Rely on your lender’s Loan Estimate early in the process and your final Closing Disclosure before you sign. These are the most accurate statements of your costs.
Your step-by-step closing cost checklist
Pre-closing actions
- Request your Loan Estimate and review each fee line-by-line.
- Schedule general home inspection and any specialty inspections you want.
- Ask escrow for the Preliminary Title Report and review liens, easements, and assessments.
- Request HOA resale and transfer documents if applicable.
- Ask escrow for a preliminary cost worksheet that shows buyer and seller splits.
- Confirm who pays the owner’s title policy in your deal.
- Verify if a city transfer tax applies in Long Beach and the customary payer.
- Check whether the property is in a special assessment district and request documentation.
Two weeks before closing
- Review your Closing Disclosure and compare to the Loan Estimate. Ask about any changes.
- Call escrow to verify wire instructions and follow anti-fraud steps.
- Provide proof of homeowners insurance to your lender and escrow.
- Arrange funds for your closing amount per escrow instructions.
At closing
- Bring government ID and any required certified funds.
- Review and sign lender and escrow documents.
- Confirm your final Closing Disclosure matches the escrow settlement statement.
Post-closing reminders
- Save digital and paper copies of all closing documents, deed, and title policy.
- Verify where your property tax bills will be sent and how your escrow account will handle them.
- Confirm your first mortgage payment date and how to set up autopay.
Smart ways to manage costs
- Compare lender quotes and fee structures. A lower rate with points might cost more upfront, while a higher rate may reduce cash to close.
- Ask about seller credits within your loan program limits. FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional each have specific rules.
- Talk with your lender about closing date timing. The date affects prepaid interest and some prepaids.
- Request exact title and escrow quotes once your price and loan amount are known. Title premiums follow filed rate schedules in California.
Stay confident through closing
Closing costs vary with your loan, property type, and timing, but a clear plan keeps surprises away. Focus on your Loan Estimate early and your Closing Disclosure at the end. Confirm city taxes, title and escrow splits, and HOA items with your escrow officer so you know exactly what to bring to the finish line.
If you want a local, hands-on guide for your Long Beach purchase, connect with Adam Loucks. You will get clear next steps, smart budgeting help, and responsive coordination with your lender and escrow team.
FAQs
How much are buyer closing costs in Long Beach?
- Most buyers see about 2% to 5% of the purchase price in closing costs, excluding the down payment, depending on loan program, points, title and escrow splits, and prepaids.
What is the difference between prepaids and closing fees?
- Prepaids fund future bills like property taxes, insurance, and prepaid interest, while closing fees pay for services such as lender processing, appraisal, title, and escrow.
Who usually pays the owner’s title insurance in Los Angeles County?
- In many California transactions the seller pays the owner’s policy, but it is negotiable and should be confirmed in your purchase agreement and with escrow.
Do buyers pay the city transfer tax in Long Beach?
- It depends on local custom and the purchase agreement. Confirm with your escrow officer and the contract to see who is responsible in your transaction.
Can I roll closing costs into my mortgage?
- Sometimes, such as with discount points or lender-paid options, subject to loan program rules, loan-to-value limits, and any seller concession limits.
Are inspections required by the lender in California?
- Lenders typically require an appraisal, not inspections. Most buyers still order inspections to understand property condition and potential risks.
