Florida Closing Costs (2026)
Last updated: March 2026
Typical closing costs
$7,000–$16,000
Median home price
$413,000
Florida charges documentary stamp taxes on both the deed ($0.70 per $100 of purchase price, paid by the seller) and the mortgage ($0.35 per $100 of loan amount, paid by the buyer), plus a nonrecurring intangible tax of 0.2% of the loan amount (buyer). Title insurance rates are set by the Florida Department of Financial Services and are identical at every licensed company. In most Florida counties the seller pays for the owner's title policy; in Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier, and Sarasota, the buyer pays by local custom. Florida is not an attorney state — closings are handled by title companies. Flood insurance is a significant cost factor in coastal and low-lying markets.
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Florida closing cost breakdown
Typical ranges for a home purchase in Florida. Exact amounts depend on purchase price, county, and lender.
| Fee |
|---|
| Documentary stamp tax — deed |
| Documentary stamp tax — mortgage/note |
| Nonrecurring intangible tax — mortgage |
| Owner's title insurance |
| Lender's title insurance (simultaneous issue) |
| Recording fees |
| Settlement/closing fee |
| HOA estoppel letter (if HOA) |
| Lender origination fee |
| Flood insurance prepaid (if required) |
Florida's documentary stamp taxes and intangible tax are statutory and non-negotiable. The most commonly overcharged items on Florida Closing Disclosures are lender origination fees, settlement fees, and title endorsements above the regulated schedule.
Florida fee-by-fee benchmarks
Origination Fee
Negotiable · Section A
Processing Fee
Negotiable · Section A
Underwriting Fee
Negotiable · Section A
Title Insurance
Negotiable · Section C
Appraisal Fee
Non-negotiable · Section B
Recording Fee
Non-negotiable · Section E
Transfer Tax
Non-negotiable · Section E
Attorney Fee
Negotiable · Section C
Courier Fee
Negotiable · Section H
Credit Report Fee
Non-negotiable · Section B
Flood Certification Fee
Non-negotiable · Section B
Tax Service Fee
Non-negotiable · Section B
Wire Transfer Fee
Negotiable · Section H
Document Preparation Fee
Negotiable · Section A
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What Florida buyers need to know
Florida title insurance rates are state-regulated — every licensed title company must charge the same premium. The owner's policy rate is $5.00 per $1,000 for coverage between $100,000 and $1,000,000 (the range covering most Florida purchases). The simultaneous issue lender's policy is a flat $25 when the loan does not exceed the owner's policy coverage. Because rates are fixed, you cannot negotiate the premium, but you can verify that the charges on your Closing Disclosure match the regulated schedule — any overcharge is an error.
Florida's doc stamp and intangible taxes are statutory and non-negotiable. The deed stamp ($0.70/$100, seller) is assessed on the purchase price. The mortgage stamp ($0.35/$100, buyer) and intangible tax (0.2% of loan amount, buyer) are assessed on the loan. On a $330,000 loan, the mortgage stamp is $1,155 and the intangible tax is $660 — together $1,815 in mandatory buyer costs before any lender or title fees. VA loan holders with a certificate of eligibility may be exempt from the intangible tax.
Who pays the owner's title policy in Florida depends on the county. In most of Florida — including Orange (Orlando), Hillsborough (Tampa), Pinellas, Palm Beach, Lee, and Duval (Jacksonville) — the seller pays by local custom. In Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier (Naples), and Sarasota counties, the buyer pays. On a $413,000 purchase, the owner's title policy runs approximately $1,940 — knowing which party is expected to pay matters significantly.
Flood insurance is a significant and often overlooked cost in Florida. If your property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (any zone beginning with A or V), your lender will require flood insurance before closing. Annual premiums range from $800 to $3,000+ depending on the zone, elevation certificate, and coverage level. At closing, you'll prepay the first year's premium upfront plus 2–3 months into escrow.
Florida has the highest HOA prevalence in the nation — most condos and a large share of single-family communities are in HOAs. When selling an HOA property, the seller must provide an estoppel letter documenting outstanding fees and assessments. Florida law caps estoppel fees at $299 standard, $100 for a 3-business-day rush. Buyers may also face HOA transfer fees and capital contribution (buy-in) fees set by the association's governing documents — these can run $100–$1,000+ and should be on your Closing Disclosure.
Florida closing cost questions
How much are closing costs in Florida?
Florida buyer closing costs typically run $7,000–$16,000 depending on purchase price, county, and lender. The largest fixed buyer costs are the documentary stamp tax on the mortgage ($0.35/$100 of loan amount) and the nonrecurring intangible tax (0.2% of loan amount) — together about $1,815 on a $330,000 loan. In Miami-Dade and Broward, buyers also pay the owner's title insurance premium, adding another $1,500–$2,500.
What is Florida's documentary stamp tax?
Florida has two documentary stamp taxes on real estate. The deed stamp ($0.70 per $100 of purchase price) is paid by the seller — on a $400,000 sale, that's $2,800. The mortgage/note stamp ($0.35 per $100 of loan amount) is paid by the buyer — on a $320,000 loan, that's $1,120. Both are statutory and non-negotiable. Miami-Dade single-family homes pay $0.60/$100 on the deed (not $0.70), but a 0.45% surtax applies to non-single-family property there.
What is the Florida intangible tax?
Florida's nonrecurring intangible tax is 0.2% of the loan amount, paid by the buyer. On a $320,000 loan, it's $640. It applies to new purchase mortgages and most refinances. VA loan holders may be exempt with a certificate of eligibility. It is a state tax and cannot be negotiated.
Who pays title insurance in Florida?
In most Florida counties, the seller pays for the owner's title insurance policy. The exceptions are Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier, and Sarasota counties, where the buyer pays by local custom. The lender's title policy is always paid by the buyer and costs a flat $25 simultaneous issue when purchased alongside an owner's policy.
Is flood insurance required in Florida?
Flood insurance is required by lenders whenever a property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (zones beginning with A or V). A flood determination certificate ($20–$30) is ordered at closing to confirm the flood zone. If required, you must purchase flood insurance before closing and prepay the first year's premium at closing. Annual premiums range from $800 to $3,000+ depending on the zone, elevation, and coverage level.
Does Florida require an attorney at closing?
No. Florida is not an attorney state. Closings are conducted by licensed title companies. You may hire a real estate attorney if you choose, but it is not required and is uncommon for standard residential purchases.
What is an HOA estoppel letter and who pays for it?
An estoppel letter is a document from an HOA or condo association that certifies the outstanding fees, special assessments, and rules affecting the property being sold. It is required for all Florida HOA and condo closings. Florida law caps the fee at $299 standard ($100 additional for a 3-business-day rush), and the seller traditionally pays. The buyer may also owe an HOA transfer fee and/or capital contribution fee — these are set by the HOA and are not capped by statute.
How Florida closing costs compare
Florida closing costs average about 2.3% of the purchase price — modestly above the national average. The main cost drivers are the combined documentary stamp taxes and intangible tax, which together add roughly 1.25% of the loan amount. States with no mortgage tax (Texas, Georgia, most of the South) are meaningfully cheaper to close in all else being equal.
Within Florida, costs vary substantially by county. South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) has above-average costs due to higher home prices, the buyer-pays-owner's-policy custom in Miami-Dade and Broward, and higher absolute taxes on larger loan amounts. The Orlando and Tampa markets are closer to the statewide average. Coastal markets in Collier and Sarasota counties carry above-average costs for the same buyer-pays-title reason.
Compared to neighboring southeastern states: Georgia and North Carolina have lower transfer taxes and no mortgage tax, but both require attorneys at closing. Alabama has no transfer tax and very low costs overall. South Carolina charges a deed stamp of $0.37/$100 — lower than Florida's — with no mortgage tax. Florida's flood insurance exposure, however, can make total ownership costs higher than any of these states in coastal markets.
First-time homebuyer closing costs in Florida
Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers multiple first-time buyer programs, including the Florida First mortgage (FHA/VA/USDA at below-market rates) and HFA Preferred Conventional. Down payment and closing cost assistance of 3%–5% of the loan amount is available as a deferred second mortgage. Income and purchase price limits apply by county — check floridahousing.org for current limits.
Many Florida counties and cities have local closing cost assistance programs. Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Hillsborough counties all run homebuyer assistance programs. Search '[your county] homebuyer assistance' for current offerings, income limits, and application windows.
Florida's documentary stamp taxes and intangible tax are unavoidable — but sellers can offer concessions to help buyers cover other costs. In a balanced or buyer-friendly market, requesting $3,000–$7,000 in seller concessions toward closing costs is reasonable. Your real estate contract should explicitly state the seller contribution amount.
A 'no-closing-cost' mortgage rolls your costs into a higher interest rate. On a 30-year Florida mortgage, even a 0.25% rate increase costs far more in lifetime interest than typical closing costs. Unless your savings are very limited, paying costs upfront is usually the better financial decision.
Closing costs in nearby states
Related guides
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