Are you trying to figure out what you will actually pay at closing in Clermont? Between state taxes, title fees, and HOA or CDD items, the total can be hard to predict. You deserve a clear, local breakdown so you can plan your budget with confidence. In this guide, you will see who typically pays what in Florida, the key taxes that drive totals, real-world ranges, and example math for common Clermont price points. Let’s dive in.
What closing costs include in Clermont
Closing costs include taxes, title and recording charges, lender fees if you are financing, and prorations tied to your property. In Florida, some items follow local custom, but many are negotiable. Your contract and the title company’s settlement statement will confirm the final split.
Buyer costs in Clermont
- Loan and lender fees such as origination, application, underwriting, credit report, and the appraisal if you finance.
- State taxes tied to your mortgage: the intangible tax on the new loan and any required documentary stamps on the mortgage or note, if applicable.
- Title and recording: lender’s title insurance policy, title and closing fee, title search, and recording fees for the deed and mortgage.
- Prepaids and escrows: first year of homeowner’s insurance, prepaid interest from funding to your first payment, and initial escrow deposits for taxes and insurance.
- Inspections and survey: home and pest inspections, plus a survey if your lender requires one.
- HOA or CDD prorations or assessments when applicable.
Seller costs in Clermont
- Real estate commission, which is often the largest seller cost and is negotiated in your listing agreement.
- Documentary stamp tax on the deed, which sellers commonly pay in Florida.
- Owner’s title insurance policy and settlement fees if that is the local custom or as negotiated in the contract.
- Payoff of any existing mortgage, plus release or reconveyance fees.
- HOA estoppel fee and any unpaid dues or fines, if applicable.
- Prorations for property taxes and HOA dues through the closing date.
Florida taxes that matter most
Florida’s state-level taxes are straightforward but have a big impact on your bottom line. These formulas apply to Clermont closings.
Deed documentary stamp tax
- The deed doc stamp is typically 0.70 percent of the sale price. It is commonly written as $0.70 per $100 of consideration.
- Common practice in Florida is for the seller to pay this tax. Your contract can change this.
- Example: on a $400,000 sale, the deed doc stamp is about $2,800.
Intangible tax on mortgages
- The mortgage intangible tax is 0.002 times the loan amount. It is often described as $2 per $1,000 borrowed.
- Buyers who take out a new mortgage typically pay this tax at closing.
- Example: on a $320,000 loan, the intangible tax is about $640.
Typical ranges and quick math
Every transaction is different, but these examples are useful for planning. They reflect common Clermont scenarios and Florida norms.
- Recording fees for the deed and mortgage are set by the Lake County Clerk and are usually modest, often tens to low hundreds of dollars.
- Title insurance premiums in Florida are regulated and scale with price. The owner’s policy is often the larger title item and is commonly paid by the seller in many Florida deals, but it is negotiable. The lender’s policy is paid by the buyer when there is a loan.
Buyer examples for common price points
Assuming 20 percent down and typical financing costs:
$300,000 purchase, $240,000 loan
- Intangible tax: 0.002 × $240,000 = $480
- All-in buyer closing costs often land around 2 to 5 percent of price, roughly $6,000 to $15,000, depending on lender fees, escrows, and any HOA or CDD items.
$450,000 purchase, $360,000 loan
- Intangible tax: 0.002 × $360,000 = $720
- Total buyer costs often range about $9,000 to $22,500.
$600,000 purchase, $480,000 loan
- Intangible tax: 0.002 × $480,000 = $960
- Total buyer costs often range about $12,000 to $30,000.
These ranges exclude your down payment and reflect items like lender charges, title and recording, prepaids and escrows, and any association or CDD amounts.
Seller examples for common price points
Excluding mortgage payoff and focusing on typical seller-paid items:
$300,000 sale
- Deed doc stamp: 0.007 × $300,000 = $2,100
- Total seller costs commonly land around 6 to 9 percent of price, largely driven by commission and the doc stamp.
$450,000 sale
- Deed doc stamp: 0.007 × $450,000 = $3,150
- Typical seller costs often total about 6 to 9 percent of price.
$600,000 sale
- Deed doc stamp: 0.007 × $600,000 = $4,200
- Total seller costs often fall in the same 6 to 9 percent range.
HOA, CDD, and local fees to watch
HOA and CDD items are common around Clermont and can change your totals late in the process if you do not order them early.
HOA estoppel certificates
- Associations charge an estoppel fee to confirm dues, fines, and any amounts owed. Typical fees often range from about $150 to $400, with possible rush charges.
- Sellers often pay this fee, but the contract can allocate it differently.
CDD assessments and payoffs
- Many newer communities use Community Development Districts to fund infrastructure. Annual CDD assessments appear on the tax bill or are collected by the district.
- At closing, you may see prorated assessments or a payoff for an outstanding capital assessment. Amounts can range from a few hundred dollars per year to a few thousand, and a payoff can be several thousand.
- Ask for the CDD disclosure and payoff letter early so your settlement statement reflects accurate numbers.
How your final numbers are estimated
Your lender and title company will provide written estimates and then finalize everything before closing.
Key documents and timing
- Loan Estimate: your lender delivers this within three business days of your application. It outlines lender fees and estimated closing costs.
- Title commitment and premium quote: your title company issues this after the contract is executed. It includes title search findings and insurance premiums.
- Closing Disclosure: buyers receive this at least three business days before closing with your final cash to close. Sellers receive a settlement statement showing net proceeds.
Why numbers change
- HOA estoppels, CDD payoffs, and special assessments can alter totals when new information arrives.
- Prorations depend on your closing date and when taxes are billed.
- Recording fees and minor clerk charges vary based on the number of documents and pages.
Budgeting checklist for Clermont closings
Use this simple checklist to avoid surprises and keep your timeline on track.
- Ask if the property is in a CDD and request the current disclosure right away.
- Have the title company order the HOA estoppel and any CDD payoff letters as soon as the contract is signed.
- Confirm in the contract who pays the owner’s title policy and the deed documentary stamp tax. Many items are customary, but they are still negotiable.
- Get Loan Estimates from more than one lender and compare origination, underwriting, points, and prepaids.
- Request a buyer or seller estimated settlement statement from the title company early. Review it for prorations and tax calculations.
- If a large assessment appears, ask about credits from the other party or timing adjustments.
Example walk-through: $450,000 Clermont purchase
Here is how a mid-range deal can look, assuming 20 percent down and typical fees.
Buyer side
- Mortgage: $360,000, intangible tax about $720.
- Lender fees, appraisal, credit report, title and recording, prepaids, and escrows push the all-in total to roughly 2 to 5 percent of the price.
- If there is an HOA or CDD, you may see prorations or a one-time amount on your statement.
Seller side
- Deed documentary stamp tax about $3,150.
- Commission plus the owner’s title policy if custom or contract assigns it to the seller.
- Prorated taxes and HOA dues through the closing date, plus any estoppel fee.
Numbers will change with your lender choice, association structure, and closing date. Your lender and title company will provide the binding figures.
Ready for your numbers?
If you want a clear, custom estimate for your Clermont purchase or sale, we are here to help. We combine local closing experience with a hands-on approach so you know your net to the dollar before you sign. Reach out to the Central Florida RE Team to run your numbers, compare options, and plan your next move with confidence.
FAQs
What closing costs do Clermont buyers usually pay?
- Buyers typically pay loan-related fees, the mortgage intangible tax, the lender’s title policy, title and recording charges, prepaids and escrows, and any applicable HOA or CDD prorations.
Who pays the deed documentary stamp tax in Florida sales?
- In Florida practice, the seller commonly pays the deed documentary stamp tax, but the contract can allocate this differently.
How much is Florida’s mortgage intangible tax?
- The intangible tax is 0.002 times the loan amount, which equals $2 per $1,000 borrowed.
What are typical HOA estoppel fees in Clermont?
- Estoppel fees vary by association, but amounts often fall between about $150 and $400, with possible rush fees.
How do CDD assessments affect closing costs?
- Annual CDD assessments are prorated, and any outstanding capital assessments or payoffs can be collected at closing, sometimes totaling several thousand dollars.
When do I get my final cash-to-close amount?
- Buyers receive a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing with the final cash to close. Sellers receive a settlement statement showing net proceeds.
