Closing Costs in Georgia: What to Expect in 2026

In this article

1. How much are closing costs in Georgia in 2026?
2. Closing cost calculator
3. Who pays closing costs in Georgia?
4. Georgia is an attorney closing state
5. Seller concessions
6. Lender credits
7. Typical Georgia closing cost items
8. What Exactly are Closing Costs?
9. Factors That Will Affect Closing Costs
10. What are the Seller’s Closing Costs in Georgia?
11. When Do Closing Costs Need to Be Paid?
12. Frequently asked questions
13. How much are closing costs in Georgia?
14. Who pays closing costs in Georgia, the buyer or the seller?
15. Do I need an attorney to close in Georgia?
16. What does the seller usually pay in Georgia?
17. How can I lower my closing costs?

The short answer: Closing costs in Georgia typically run about 2% to 5% of the loan amount. For a $350,000 loan, that is roughly $7,000 to $17,500. Buyers usually pay the lender, appraisal, title and attorney fees, and sellers usually pay agent commissions and the state transfer tax, though almost everything can be negotiated in your contract.

How much are closing costs in Georgia in 2026?

Closing costs depend on your loan amount, loan type, lender and county. As a general guide, plan on 2% to 5% of the loan amount.

According to LodeStar Software Solutions’ 2025 Purchase Mortgage Closing Cost Data Report, released in April 2026, the national average closing cost was $4,528, compared with $4,944 in Georgia. These averages include title, settlement, and government recording and transfer charges but exclude lender origination fees, discount points, and prepaid expenses. Homebuyers should generally budget approximately 2% to 5% of their loan amount for total closing costs, depending on the loan program, lender, and property location.

The fastest way to see your own number is the calculator below, or ask us for a written estimate based on your loan type, property and location. We will break down each item for you.

Closing cost calculator

Who pays closing costs in Georgia?

In Georgia, both the buyer and the seller have closing costs, and the split is set in the purchase and sale agreement. These are the usual customs:

Buyer usually pays: lender fees (origination, underwriting, points if you choose them), appraisal, credit report, flood certification, title search and lender’s title insurance, the closing attorney’s fee, recording fees for the deed and security deed, the Georgia intangible tax on the loan, prepaid items (homeowners insurance, interest, and escrow deposits for taxes and insurance), and any survey or inspection you order.

Seller usually pays: agent commissions, the Georgia transfer tax, the seller’s attorney fee if they use one, payoff of any existing mortgage or liens, prorated property taxes and HOA dues up to closing, and HOA transfer fees.

Georgia is an attorney closing state

In Georgia, real estate closings must be conducted by a licensed Georgia attorney rather than independently by a title or escrow company. The closing attorney oversees the legal aspects of the transaction, including the title examination, preparation and review of closing documents, and disbursement of funds.

Buyers generally have the ability to select their closing attorney, provided the attorney meets the lender’s requirements. Your lender or real estate agent may also recommend an experienced closing attorney to help ensure a smooth and timely closing.

Attorney fees are typically included in your closing costs and will be itemized on your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure.

Seller concessions

Seller concessions allow a home seller to pay some or all of the buyer’s eligible closing costs, reducing the amount of cash needed at closing. The maximum contribution depends on the mortgage program, down payment, and property occupancy.

Maximum seller concessions by loan type

Lender credits

Some lenders offer a credit toward closing costs in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate. This lowers what you bring to the table but raises your monthly payment, so it is worth comparing both. We are glad to show you the numbers side by side.

Typical Georgia closing cost items

Your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure show the exact amounts for your loan. Review the Closing Disclosure carefully before closing day and ask us about anything unclear.

What Exactly are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are basically expenses that come with the mortgage loan processing process. They include fees such as loan origination fees, appraisal fees, survey fees, title insurance fees, taxes and others.

Closing costs are paid to several parties, including the lender, the attorney, the appraiser, the state and the county, not only to the lender.

Factors That Will Affect Closing Costs

Not all lenders have the same items on their closing costs so you should expect that value to vary wildly from one lender to another. Also, the location of your house will play a role in determining how much you will pay. The county is a factor too, since recording and local costs differ.

On top of that, appraisers, surveyors and other third parties charge differently for different areas. If you want a more accurate Georgia closing costs estimate, contact us at Moreira Team and we will give you a breakdown of each item based on your type of loan, property, and location.

What are the Seller’s Closing Costs in Georgia?

Here is a more in-depth look at some common seller’s closing costs you can expect in Georgia:

• Real Estate Agent Commissions: This is usually the largest seller closing cost. Typically, the total commission is around 5% to 6% of the home’s sale price, which is usually split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent.
• Title Transfer Tax or Warranty Deed: In Georgia, the seller often pays the state’s transfer tax. Currently, the tax is $1.00 for the first $1,000 of the sale price plus $0.10 for each additional $100.
• Owners Title Insurance: Sometimes, the seller may agree to pay for the owner’s title insurance. This is negotiable, but if the seller pays, it’s a protection for the buyer against title issues.
• Attorney Fees: In Georgia, real estate closings are conducted by attorneys, and the seller may have their own attorney. The fees are often between $525 and $995.
• HOA Transfer Fees: If the property is in a homeowners association (HOA) community, there might be transfer fees or documentation fees associated with changing the ownership.
• Prorated Property Taxes and HOA Dues: Sellers might have to cover their portion of property taxes or HOA dues up to the date of the sale.
• Home Warranty: Sometimes, sellers offer to cover the cost of a home warranty for the buyer, which can range from $300 to $600, on average.
• Any Negotiated Repairs or Credits: If, after a home inspection, certain repairs are needed, the seller might agree to cover these costs.
• Outstanding Mortgages or Liens: The seller will need to pay off any existing mortgages, equity lines of credit, or other liens on the property at closing.
• Miscellaneous Fees: These can include fees for escrow services, courier services, and other transaction-related expenses.

Note that these are general guidelines and the specifics of any deal can vary widely.

The preliminary settlement statement or a detailed breakdown provided by the real estate agent or closing attorney is going to be the best source of information as to which costs you will need to pay as the seller, as this will have the specific information to your particular transaction.

If you need help with this, our Georgia mortgage experts can help you with anything to do with closing costs.

When Do Closing Costs Need to Be Paid?

Closing costs are typically paid at the time of the closing of the real estate transaction, which is why they are called “closing costs”. The closing (sometimes called “settlement”) is the final step in completing a real estate transaction.

At this time, the buyer completes the purchase by paying the seller (typically through the escrow or closing agent), and the seller transfers the title to the buyer. Here’s a general overview:

• For the Buyer: Most of the buyer’s closing costs can be rolled into their mortgage, but this depends on the loan type and the lender’s policies. However, some costs, such as the down payment and any costs not covered by the loan, need to be paid upfront at closing. This is usually done in the form of a cashier’s check or wire transfer.
• For the Seller: The seller’s closing costs, such as the real estate agent’s commission, are usually deducted from the proceeds of the sale. This means that the seller does not usually need to bring money to the closing unless they owe more on their mortgage than they are getting from the sale.
• Escrow Account: If the buyer’s lender requires an escrow account (which is common), the buyer will also make an initial deposit into this account at closing. The escrow account is used to pay property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.
• Final Statements: Both the buyer and the seller will receive a closing disclosure or settlement statement prior to closing. This document provides an itemized list of all fees and costs, showing who is responsible for each cost and the amounts to be paid or received at closing.
• Location of Payment: The actual payment of closing costs takes place at the office of the escrow agent, closing attorney, or title company managing the closing.

It’s always a good idea for both buyers and sellers to review their closing disclosure or settlement statement carefully and ask questions if there are any unclear charges. This ensures that all parties understand what they’re paying for and can avoid last-minute surprises.

It is worth mentioning that in Georgia you have the option to pay all or part of the costs when making your down payment. If this is your first home, the state’s Georgia Dream assistance can cover part of that money at closing, and our guide to Georgia first-time home buyer programs explains the current limits and amounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much are closing costs in Georgia?

Plan on roughly 2% to 5% of the loan amount. Your Loan Estimate shows the exact figures once you apply.

Who pays closing costs in Georgia, the buyer or the seller?

Both pay their own share. Buyers typically cover lender, title, attorney and prepaid costs. Sellers typically cover commissions and the transfer tax. A seller can also agree to help with a buyer’s costs in the contract.

Do I need an attorney to close in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia closings are conducted by an attorney, and their fee is part of your closing costs.

What does the seller usually pay in Georgia?

Commissions, transfer tax, any mortgage payoff, and prorated taxes and HOA dues, plus anything negotiated in the contract.

How can I lower my closing costs?

Compare Loan Estimates from more than one lender, ask about lender credits, and negotiate seller concessions where the market allows.