Estimate Your Closing Costs
Advanced (edit assumptions)
Down payment: —
Disclaimer: These are estimates only. Actual closing costs vary by lender, title company, state/county, and closing date. Your Loan Estimate (TRID) is the source of truth.
Massachusetts Closing Costs Breakdown
Closing costs in Massachusetts typically range from 2.5% to 4% of the purchase price. For a median-priced home around $686,000, buyers should plan for $17,150 to $27,440 at the closing table, with a mandatory attorney-closing requirement, transfer taxes, and high home values all contributing to elevated costs.
Transfer Taxes & Fees
Massachusetts charges a deed excise tax of $2 per $500 of the sale price (0.456%, including a 14% surtax allocated to affordable housing). The seller traditionally pays this tax. Barnstable County on Cape Cod adds an additional $0.75 per $500 surcharge for land bank preservation. Buyers do not typically pay the transfer tax, though this is negotiable.
Attorney Requirements
Yes, Massachusetts is an attorney-closing state. A licensed Massachusetts real estate attorney must handle the title examination, closing, and preparation of the deed. Attorney fees typically range from $800 to $1,500 in most markets. In Greater Boston, expect fees at the higher end of this range due to market complexity.
Local Quirks & Need-to-Know
Massachusetts has a five-day attorney review period built into standard purchase agreements. The state's high home prices mean title insurance premiums are among the highest in the nation. Real estate taxes in Massachusetts are assessed on a fiscal year running July 1 to June 30, making proration more complex than in states using a calendar year. Buyers financing with a mortgage should also budget for a lender's title insurance policy that is mandatory.