Title & Escrow Closing Costs Breakdown

Understanding the specific fees charged by the title company and escrow company helps agents and clients prepare for closing. Team Goeglein at Fidelity National Title provides detailed net sheets that itemize every cost — here's what each fee covers.

Title Fees: The Lender's Title Policy covers the amount of the loan and is issued to the lender. The Owner's Title Policy is calculated using the sales price and insures the buyer that title is free and clear at transfer — it may be reduced if the home was purchased or refinanced within the last 5 years. Document Transfer Tax is charged by the county on all properties that transfer title, based on the sales price. Lender's Endorsements cover risk circumstances outside the norm, as required by the lender.

Recording fees are charged by the county for recording the Grant Deed, Trust Deed, and Release/Reconveyance documents. The Sub-Escrow Fee covers administering payoffs of the seller's existing loans and property taxes, and collecting funds from the new lender — this is typically split between buyer and seller. Electronic recording, messenger services, and wire fees cover document delivery and fund transfers.

Escrow Fees: The Escrow Fee covers the escrow company's liability and standard processing costs, split between buyer and seller. The Demand Fee covers requesting and processing payoff figures from the seller's existing lender — one demand fee per loan. The Document Fee covers preparation of legal documents for official records. HOA Document and Transfer Fees cover processing required to assign membership and copy governing documents.

Team Goeglein at Fidelity National Title provides complimentary net sheets for any property in the South Bay and Westside LA. Matt Goeglein and Xavier de la Piedra IV itemize every title and escrow cost so agents and their clients know exactly what to expect at closing.