Who pays what in Texas
In Texas the seller customarily pays for the owner's title policy; buyers cover lender's title, escrow, and prepaids.
Closing costs by county in Texas
Rates and medians vary widely inside Texas. County-level breakdowns: Harris County (Houston) — 2.00% effective property tax, median $335,000; Dallas County (Dallas) — 1.90% effective property tax, median $345,000; Travis County (Austin) — 1.80% effective property tax, median $450,000.
No transfer tax — but property taxes do the damage
Texas skips transfer tax entirely, but the average effective property-tax rate (~1.6%) is among the nation's highest. That inflates your escrow prepaids at closing: expect 6+ months of taxes collected upfront, often $2,500–$4,500 on a median-priced home.
Negotiation levers in Texas
Three moves that actually work: (1) get Loan Estimates from 3 lenders — origination and points vary by thousands; (2) ask for seller concessions (3% conventional under 10% down, 6% above, 6% FHA) credited at closing; (3) close at month-end to shrink prepaid interest from ~30 days to ~2. In Texas, transfer-tax custom is negotiable too — everything is a contract term.
FAQ
How much are closing costs in Texas?
Budget 2–4% of the purchase price for buyer closing costs in Texas, plus your down payment. On the $340,000 median Texas home that's roughly $8,500–$13,600. Texas charges no real-estate transfer tax.
Does the buyer pay transfer tax in Texas?
No — Texas transfer taxes are seller-customary (or don't exist). Texas charges no real-estate transfer tax.
Can I roll closing costs into the loan in Texas?
Not directly, but you can trade a slightly higher rate for a lender credit that covers costs, or negotiate seller concessions. The break-even on a lender credit is typically 3–5 years — only worth it if you'll sell or refinance before then.
How much should I save to buy a house in Texas?
Down payment + closing costs + 2–3 months of reserves. On the Texas median $340,000 home with 10% down, that's roughly $44,200 before reserves — the calculator above gives your exact stack.
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