What do closing costs include when I'm buying?

Buyer closing costs typically include loan origination and underwriting fees, appraisal, credit report, title search and title insurance, recording fees, and prepaids such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, and interest to month-end. They commonly run a few percent of the purchase price, but the figure is deal-specific and varies with loan type and locale. Two documents matter: the Loan Estimate you receive after applying is a good-faith projection of costs and terms, while the Closing Disclosure you receive before closing is the final accounting, and it's normal for final figures to differ from the estimate for legitimate reasons, which is exactly why the comparison matters. Ohio and Kentucky both require itemized settlement statements, and who pays certain fees is often negotiable, including seller concessions where the market allows.