There are a variety of different terms that you must become familiar with as you purchase a new home. You have to pay an application fee, underwriting fees, titles fees and more. But one that seems to leave many buyers scratching their heads is the recording fee. A recording fee is a normal part of the closing costs due when purchasing a home and may be paid by you or the seller.
What is a Recording Fee?
Recording fees are charged by a government agency whenever you need to register or record a real estate purchase. These fees allow the purchase to become part of the public record and are typically charged by the county in which the home was purchased, as this is where all records of property purchases and sales are maintained. Recording fees can vary greatly from county to county.
How Are Recording Fees Determined?
Different agencies can issue their own guideline for submitting documents and recording fees based on each document type. While the recording fee may be $10 in one county, it could be $16 in another neighboring area. Some agencies may charge a recording fee based on the size of the document submitted. For example, you may be charged $30 for the first page of the document, plus an additional $3 for each page that follows. In addition to the title for a property, your local county will also record any mortgages and liens against your home. Therefore, the final cost of recording fees required by the county will depend on the type and overall complexity of the real estate deal.
When a property is sold, a recording fee is usually included as part of the closing costs. Depending on how the sale of your home is structured, these closing costs may be the responsibility of the seller, or they could fall on you to cover before you get the keys. However, it is very common for the buyer to pay for the recording fees so their new mortgage and deed can be entered into the legal records.
Try Not to Stress Over Closing Costs
If you’re having a conversation about closing costs, that means you’re close to finally owning your new home. There are many costs associated with purchasing a home, but at the end of the day, a recording fee shouldn’t be something to be too stressed over.
About the Author
Robin Anderson Real Estate
“My Passion is people and relationships and I promise to provide my clients with exceptional service tailored to their individual needs.” -Robin Anderson
Georgia native, Robin Anderson brings her passion for people and her love of homes to work for her clients. She and her husband, Andy, have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children, Ellen and Drew. They currently live in Fulton County, but Robin has lived and invested in properties throughout metro Atlanta as well as helped clients buy and sell. She has been integral to many real estate endeavors including designing and building several custom homes, remodeling homes, subdividing land, managing rental properties, and buying and selling properties. She spent her first 3 years in real estate working with a new home builder, and she has spent the last 6 years working with buyers and sellers in her own community. Robin is highly motivated but sensitive to the fact that buying and selling homes can be an emotional experience, so she makes it a priority to keep clients closely informed throughout the process and strives to produce quick results. She appreciates the opportunity to help her clients navigate the real estate process, and she aspires to deliver quality customer service that is both informative and positive. She is driven to provide outstanding service for her clients and she is focused on building successful and lasting relationships with her clients. This personalized service earns her enthusiastic referrals from clients she is pleased to call friends.Edit
