What is the documentary stamp tax in Florida?

Florida documentary stamp tax on the deed is $0.70 per $100 of the purchase price (paid by seller). The documentary stamp tax on a new mortgage is $0.35 per $100 of the loan amount (paid by buyer). Miami-Dade County has a slightly different rate for deeds.

Are closing costs negotiable in Florida?

Yes, many closing costs are negotiable. The real estate commission, who pays for title insurance, and who pays for various fees can all be negotiated in the purchase contract. Government taxes and recording fees are fixed.

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Florida Closing Cost Calculator

Q: How much are closing costs in Florida?

Closing costs in Florida typically range from 2–5% of the purchase price for buyers and 6–9% for sellers (including real estate commission). On a $500,000 home, buyers might pay $10,000–$25,000 and sellers $30,000–$45,000.

Q: Does the seller pay title insurance in Florida?

In most Florida counties, it is customary for the seller to pay for the owner's title insurance policy. However, in Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota, and Collier counties, it is more common for the buyer to pay for title insurance. This is negotiable in every transaction.

Q: How much does title insurance cost in Florida?

Florida title insurance rates are set by law. For a $500,000 property, the owner's title insurance premium is approximately $2,575. The rate is $5.75 per $1,000 for the first $100,000 and $5.00 per $1,000 for everything above that.

Q: Can the seller pay the buyer's closing costs in Florida?

Yes, this is called a seller concession or seller credit. Most lenders cap seller concessions at 3-6% of the purchase price depending on the loan type. FHA loans allow up to 6%, conventional loans typically 3-6% depending on down payment.

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Buyer Details

Purchase Price$500,000

$100K$500K$1M$2M

Down Payment20% / $100,000

0%10%20%30%50%

💡 Florida Closing Cost TipsBuyers in Florida should budget 2–5% of the purchase price for closing costs. Many of these costs are lender-driven and can be shopped around.

Estimated Buyer Closing Costs

$13,350

~2.7% of purchase price

Doc Stamp Tax on Mortgage

$1,400

Intangible Tax on Mortgage

$800

Title Search

$250

Recording Fees

$100

Survey

$400

Home Inspection

$400

Appraisal

$500

Lender Fees (~1% of loan)

$4,000

Prepaid Homeowners Insurance (1 yr)

$2,500

Prepaid Property Taxes (6 mo.)

$3,000

Sale Price$500,000

Loan Amount$400,000

Your Miami Real Estate Expert

Marie I. Sanjurjo

Broker-Owner · Blue Mar Real Estate Group

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How much are closing costs in Florida? Buyers should budget 2-5% of the purchase price and sellers should budget 6-9% of the sale price for closing costs. On a $500,000 home, that means roughly $10,000-$25,000 for the buyer and $30,000-$45,000 for the seller (including real estate commission).

In Miami-Dade County, costs can be slightly higher due to the county surtax on non-homestead properties and the local custom of the buyer paying for title insurance. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate based on your specific purchase or sale price.

Buyer vs. Seller Closing Costs in Florida

Who pays what — a side-by-side breakdown for a typical Florida real estate transaction

Closing Cost Item	Buyer Pays	Seller Pays
Real Estate Commission (5-6%)	—	✓
Documentary Stamp Tax on Deed	—	✓$0.70/$100 (or $0.60 in Miami-Dade)
Documentary Stamp Tax on Mortgage	✓$0.35/$100 of loan amount	—
Intangible Tax on Mortgage	✓$0.20/$100 of loan amount	—
Title Insurance (Owner's Policy)Varies by county custom	✓Miami-Dade, Broward	✓Most other FL counties
Home Inspection	✓$350-$600	—
Appraisal	✓$400-$600	—
Survey	✓$300-$500	—
Lender/Origination Fees	✓~1% of loan amount	—
Prepaid Insurance & Taxes	✓Escrow deposits	—
Recording Fees	✓$75-$150	—
Municipal Lien Search	—	✓~$200
HOA Estoppel Letter (if applicable)	—	✓$150-$500
Prorated Property Taxes	✓From closing to year-end	✓Jan 1 to closing

Closing Cost FAQs

Common questions about buying and selling real estate in Florida

In Florida, both buyers and sellers pay closing costs. Sellers typically pay the real estate commission, documentary stamp tax on the deed, and title insurance (in most counties). Buyers pay the documentary stamp tax on the mortgage, intangible tax, lender fees, recording fees, survey, inspection, appraisal, and prepaid items like insurance and property taxes.

Buyer closing costs in Florida generally run 2–5% of the purchase price. Seller closing costs typically run 6–9% of the sale price (heavily influenced by real estate commission). On a $600,000 home, a buyer might pay $12,000–$30,000 in closing costs, while the seller might pay $36,000–$54,000.

Florida imposes a documentary stamp tax of $0.70 per $100 of the sale price on the deed (paid by seller). Buyers pay a documentary stamp tax on the new mortgage note of $0.35 per $100 of loan amount. In Miami-Dade County, the deed rate is $0.60 per $100 (plus a surtax for non-homestead properties).

In most Florida counties, the seller customarily pays for the owner's title insurance policy. However, in Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota, and Collier counties, it is more common for the buyer to pay. Either way, it is fully negotiable in the purchase and sale agreement.

Prepaid items are costs collected at closing that cover future expenses: homeowners insurance (usually the first year paid upfront), prepaid mortgage interest (from closing day to end of month), and property tax escrow (typically 2–6 months depending on closing date). Lenders hold these in an escrow account to ensure taxes and insurance stay current.

Yes! Many closing costs are negotiable. Buyers can ask sellers to contribute toward buyer closing costs as part of the offer (known as a seller concession). Government taxes and recording fees are fixed, but lender fees, title fees, and which party pays which costs can often be negotiated.

Miami-Dade County has slightly different rates than the rest of Florida. The documentary stamp tax on the deed is $0.60 per $100 (instead of $0.70 statewide), but there is an additional surtax of $0.45 per $100 on non-homestead properties. Also, in Miami-Dade it is customary for the buyer (not the seller) to pay for title insurance, which is the opposite of most Florida counties.

The Miami-Dade County surtax is an additional documentary stamp tax of $0.45 per $100 of the sale price. It applies to all deeds that transfer property that is not the seller's homestead. On a $500,000 non-homestead property, the surtax alone would be $2,250. This is on top of the standard $0.60 per $100 documentary stamp tax.

In Florida, the buyer almost always pays for the home inspection. A standard home inspection typically costs $350-$600 depending on the size and age of the property. Specialized inspections (roof, mold, termite/WDO, wind mitigation, 4-point) are additional costs, usually $75-$200 each. These are paid at the time of inspection, not at closing.

Florida title insurance rates are set by law and based on the purchase price. For a $500,000 property, the owner's title insurance premium is approximately $2,575. The rate is $5.75 per $1,000 for the first $100,000 and $5.00 per $1,000 for everything above that. A lender's title policy (required if financing) is an additional $25-$150.

Yes, this is called a seller concession or seller credit. The buyer requests it in the purchase offer, and if accepted, the seller credits a set dollar amount toward the buyer's closing costs at closing. However, most lenders cap seller concessions at 3-6% of the purchase price depending on the loan type. For example, FHA loans allow up to 6%, conventional loans typically 3-6% depending on down payment.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual closing costs vary based on your specific transaction, lender, and negotiations. Government taxes are based on standard Florida rates. Always consult with a licensed real estate attorney or title company for exact figures. Blue Mar Real Estate Group is not a title company or attorney and does not provide legal or financial advice.