District of Columbia Closing Cost Calculator
Estimate buyer closing costs in District of Columbia. Pre-loaded with the state's transfer tax (1.1%), property tax rate (0.57%), and typical recording fees — every line item editable.
Closing costs in District of Columbia
Buyers in District of Columbia typically pay around 4% of the purchase price in closing costs — separate from the down payment. On a $400,000 home that's roughly $16,000 in fees, taxes, and prepaid escrow.
What goes into closing costs?
- Lender fees — origination (typically 0.5–1.5% of loan), credit report, underwriting.
- Third-party fees — appraisal ($500–$700), home inspection ($400–$600), title search and title insurance.
- State and local taxes — transfer tax (1.1% in District of Columbia), recording fees, and District of Columbia also imposes a mortgage recording tax — factor that in for higher loan amounts.
- Prepaid items — first months of property tax escrow, hazard insurance, and prepaid interest from closing day to month-end.
First-time buyer assistance in District of Columbia
The DC Open Doors program offers down payment and closing cost assistance to qualifying first-time buyers in District of Columbia. Income limits and home price caps apply — check with a local lender or District of Columbia housing finance agency for current terms.
Who pays for what?
Closing cost responsibility splits vary by state custom and contract negotiation. In most US transactions the buyer pays lender, appraisal, inspection, and prepaid items. The seller typically pays real estate commissions and the owner's title policy. Transfer taxes split differently by state — in District of Columbia, transfer tax responsibility is negotiable but often follows local custom.
Compare to other states
Closing costs vary widely. District of Columbia buyers pay 4% on average — compare to high-cost states like Delaware (4.5%), New York (4.0%), and DC (4.0%), or low-cost states like Indiana (1.9%) and Missouri (1.6%). See the national calculator to compare side-by-side.
Frequently asked questions about District of Columbia closing costs
How much are closing costs in District of Columbia?+
Buyers in District of Columbia typically pay around 4% of the purchase price in closing costs. On a $400,000 home, that's roughly $16,000 — separate from your down payment. This covers lender fees, third-party fees (appraisal, inspection, title), state and local taxes, and prepaid escrow items.
What is the transfer tax in District of Columbia?+
District of Columbia's state realty transfer tax is 1.1% of the purchase price. On a $400,000 home, that's about $4,400. Responsibility for paying the transfer tax is negotiable but often follows local custom — your title company will confirm who pays at closing.
Does District of Columbia have a mortgage recording tax?+
Yes, District of Columbia imposes a mortgage recording tax in addition to standard recording fees. This is calculated on the loan amount (not purchase price), so larger mortgages incur a larger tax. Factor this in for high-loan-amount transactions — it can add hundreds to thousands to closing costs.
Who pays closing costs in District of Columbia?+
In District of Columbia, the buyer typically pays lender fees (origination, appraisal, credit report), third-party fees (inspection, attorney if used, title insurance lender policy), and prepaid items (first months of property tax escrow, hazard insurance, prepaid interest). The seller typically pays the real estate commission and the owner's title insurance policy. Transfer tax responsibility is negotiable but often follows local custom — your title company will confirm at closing.
Are there first-time home buyer programs in District of Columbia?+
Yes. The DC Open Doors program offers down payment and closing cost assistance to qualifying first-time buyers in District of Columbia. Income limits and home price caps typically apply. Eligibility, current grant/loan amounts, and approved lender list change each year — check the District of Columbia housing finance agency or speak with a local lender for current terms.
Can I roll closing costs into the loan in District of Columbia?+
Some loan programs allow it. For VA and USDA loans, certain costs can be financed. For FHA and conventional loans, you typically cannot finance closing costs into the loan amount, but you can negotiate seller concessions (the seller pays a portion of your closing costs out of their sale proceeds). Seller concessions in District of Columbia are capped by loan program — conventional: 3% (high LTV) to 9% (low LTV); FHA: 6%; VA: 4%.
How accurate is this estimate?+
This calculator uses District of Columbia median rates and typical fee ranges to produce a reasonable estimate. Your actual closing costs vary by lender (origination fees range from 0% to 1.5%+), title company (insurance and search fees are competitive), county (recording fees and local transfer taxes vary), property (older homes may need extra inspections), and loan program (FHA, VA, conventional have different fee structures). Your binding number is the Loan Estimate (within 3 days of application) and Closing Disclosure (3 days before closing) from your lender.
Browse other state closing cost guides
Disclaimer: Estimates only. Closing costs vary by lender, title company, county, and property. Numbers reflect typical residential purchases in District of Columbia — your final Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure are authoritative. This is not financial or legal advice.