Guide
What buyers pay at a North Carolina closing
Some closing costs are set by state law and are the same for everyone. Others depend on your lender, your attorney and the home. Here's what to expect and what to get quotes for.
Set by state law
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Record the deed | $26 | First 15 pages, plus $4 per extra page |
| Record the deed of trust | $64 | First 35 pages, plus $4 per extra page (only if you have a mortgage) |
| Excise tax (revenue stamps) | Seller pays | $2 per $1,000 of the price. In NC the seller pays this, not the buyer. |
- Recording fees: Source: N.C. General Statutes 161-10, checked October 13, 2026
- Excise tax: Source: N.C. General Statutes 105-228.30, checked October 13, 2026
Get quotes for these
- Closing attorney
- North Carolina closings are handled by an attorney, who searches the title, prepares the documents and records them. Fees vary by firm, so ask for a quote.
- Title insurance
- Your lender requires a lender's policy. An owner's policy, which protects you, is optional and usually costs little extra when bought at the same time. Your attorney orders both.
- Lender fees
- Origination, underwriting, appraisal and credit report fees. They're listed on the Loan Estimate each lender must give you within three business days of your application, so you can compare lenders line by line.
- Prepaids and escrow
- Your first year of homeowners insurance, interest from closing day to the end of the month, and a starting deposit for the escrow account that pays your taxes and insurance.
- Property tax proration
- NC property taxes cover the calendar year. At closing, the year's taxes are split between you and the seller by the number of days each of you owns the home.
- HOA fees
- Some associations charge a transfer or working-capital fee at closing. Check the HOA documents.
- Before closing
- Home inspection, and a survey if you want one, are paid during the due diligence period, not at closing.
Due diligence fee and earnest money
Due diligence fee: paid directly to the seller for the right to inspect the home and end the contract for any reason during the due diligence period. You don't get it back if you walk away, unless the seller breaches the contract. If you close, it's credited toward the price.
Earnest money: held in escrow, not by the seller. If you end the contract before the due diligence period ends, you get it back. If you close, it's credited toward what you owe.
Both amounts are negotiated in each offer, and both count toward your price at closing: they aren't extra costs if the sale goes through.