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What Are Closing Costs in Austin & Central Texas?

By Stephanie Donnell — Austin Mortgage Advisor (@BestAustinLender)

December 16, 2025

Closing costs are the fees required to finalize your loan and legally transfer ownership of the home. In Central Texas, these costs are fairly predictable — but they do vary by location, loan type, and whether the home is in an HOA.

Typical Central Texas Closing Costs (2026)

Most buyers in the Austin area should expect closing costs to total about 3–5% of the purchase price.

These commonly include:

  • Title fees (Texas has regulated title insurance rates)
  • Appraisal
  • Survey (if one isn’t already available)
  • Lender fees
  • Escrows for property taxes and homeowners insurance

The exact amount depends on the home price, county, and loan program.

Who Pays What in Texas?

In most Central Texas transactions:

  • Sellers often pay for the title insurance policy
    (This is customary in Texas, but still negotiable.)
  • Buyers typically pay appraisal and lender-related fees
  • HOA properties may include transfer fees, resale certificates, or working capital contributions

Austin-Area Tip

Homes in newer HOA communities — especially in places like Leander, Georgetown, Kyle, Buda, and parts of Hays or Williamson County — often come with higher upfront HOA-related costs than older neighborhoods in Austin proper.

Those fees don’t always show up in online estimates, so it’s important to plan for them early.

Closing costs shouldn’t be a surprise. A good lender will walk through every fee ahead of time so you know exactly what to expect — and why.

If you want a personalized estimate based on where you’re buying, I’m happy to break it down clearly.