Wondering how much cash you really need to close on a home in Round Rock? You are not alone. Closing costs can feel confusing, especially when fees and taxes hit all at once near the finish line. In this guide, you will learn the typical totals, what each fee covers, what you can negotiate, and smart ways to lower your cash to close. Let’s dive in.
Round Rock closing cost snapshot
Closing costs for buyers usually land around 2% to 5% of the purchase price. This estimate does not include your down payment. It is a helpful starting point for planning.
Prepaids and escrows, such as property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and prepaid interest, are collected at closing. These items often add more to your total cash to close than the simple 2% to 5% estimate suggests.
Use the 2%–5% rule
- If you buy at $350,000, a typical closing costs range is about $7,000–$17,500.
- At $450,000, plan for $9,000–$22,500.
- At $600,000, plan for $12,000–$30,000.
Your lender’s Loan Estimate and your final Closing Disclosure will show exact fees for your loan and property.
Why cash to close may be higher
Beyond lender and title fees, you will prepay your first year of homeowner’s insurance, set up tax and insurance escrows, and pay prepaid interest from your closing date until your first payment. Combined, these prepaids and escrows commonly add about 1% to 3% of the purchase price, depending on timing and local tax rates.
What you will likely pay
Below are typical buyer-side items in Round Rock and Williamson County. Your actual costs depend on your lender, loan program, purchase price, and negotiated terms.
Lender and loan fees
- Origination or application fee: waived to about 1% of the loan amount.
- Discount points (optional): each point equals 1% of the loan; used to lower your rate.
- Underwriting, processing, credit report: often $300–$1,200 total.
- Appraisal: commonly $350–$700 for a standard single-family home.
- Flood determination: typically $15–$50; endorsements cost more if needed.
Your lender must provide a Loan Estimate within 3 business days of application and a Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing.
Title, escrow, and recording
- Title search and closing/escrow fee: often $200–$600 per party, depending on the title company.
- Lender’s title policy: required by your lender; premium based on your loan amount.
- Owner’s title policy: premium based on the purchase price. Texas title insurance premiums are set by a state rate schedule rather than market pricing. The amount varies by price and is paid once at closing.
- Williamson County recording fees: fixed per document and usually small, from tens to low hundreds of dollars, to record the deed and deed of trust.
In many Texas contracts, the seller often pays for the owner’s title policy, but this is a negotiable term and can vary by agreement.
Surveys and inspections
- Survey (if required): $300–$1,200+, based on lot size and complexity. Some sellers provide an existing survey that a lender and title company may accept.
- General home inspection: usually $300–$600.
- Specialized inspections: pest, roof, HVAC, and others are extra.
Prepaids and escrows
- Prepaid interest: covers interest from the day you close to the end of that month.
- Homeowner’s insurance: lenders often collect the first year’s premium at closing.
- Property tax prorations and escrow setup: you reimburse the seller for taxes they have already paid for the period you will own the home. Your lender may also collect several months of taxes and insurance to set up your escrow account.
Combined, these items can add about 1% to 3% of the purchase price to your cash to close, depending on closing date and tax timing.
HOA and city items
- HOA transfer or processing fees: commonly $100–$500 if the property is in an HOA.
- Utility transfers: usually small administrative fees for service setup.
Miscellaneous
- Wire, courier, overnight, or document prep fees: usually $20–$100 each.
- Tax certificates, estoppel letters, or survey endorsements: variable.
What is negotiable
Items you can negotiate
- Seller concessions: You can ask the seller to cover part of your closing costs. Loan programs set limits, so confirm with your lender before you write the offer.
- Price vs. credits: You can negotiate a price that includes seller credits to offset your upfront costs.
- Shopping for services: You can compare Loan Estimates from multiple lenders and shop for some third-party services, such as title company and inspectors, where allowed.
- Points and lender credits: You can buy down the rate with points or request a lender credit in exchange for a slightly higher rate to reduce cash to close.
Items you typically cannot negotiate
- Government recording fees and county-mandated charges.
- Required lender items like appraisals and credit reports, unless the lender allows an appraisal waiver.
Smart ways to save
- Get more than one Loan Estimate and compare the total cost, not just the rate.
- Ask for specific seller credits tied to certain line items so everyone understands the expectation.
- Close later in the month to reduce prepaid interest.
- Check if an existing survey is acceptable to the lender and title company to avoid a new one.
- Consider lender credits or rolling certain costs into the loan if it fits your budget and goals.
Local rules and timeline
Required disclosures
- Loan Estimate: Your lender must deliver it within 3 business days of your application.
- Closing Disclosure: You must receive it at least 3 business days before closing. It itemizes all final costs and your cash to close.
Taxes, title, and recording in Williamson County
- Property taxes are prorated at closing based on the closing date and the county’s tax calendar. The Williamson County Appraisal District provides appraised values and tax contacts, and the Williamson County Tax Office publishes tax rates and payment schedules.
- Texas title insurance premiums follow a state-regulated rate schedule set by the Texas Department of Insurance.
- Recording fees for the deed and deed of trust are set by the Williamson County Clerk. Texas generally does not have a state transfer tax.
Typical timeline
- Pre-approval, offer acceptance, and loan application.
- Lender processing, appraisal, and title work.
- Review your Loan Estimate and later your Closing Disclosure.
- Final walk-through and closing day.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID and certified funds by wire or cashier’s check for any amount due at closing.
Quick calculator examples
These examples use the 2% to 5% guideline for buyer closing costs. They do not include your down payment.
- $350,000 purchase: $7,000–$17,500 in closing costs, plus prepaids/escrows.
- $450,000 purchase: $9,000–$22,500 in closing costs, plus prepaids/escrows.
- $600,000 purchase: $12,000–$30,000 in closing costs, plus prepaids/escrows.
Your lender will show exact figures on your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, and the title company will provide an itemized settlement statement at closing.
Round Rock buyer checklist
- Get pre-approved and request a detailed Loan Estimate.
- Ask your agent to confirm who pays the owner’s title policy in your offer.
- Price out inspections and a survey early, and see if an existing survey is acceptable.
- Decide whether you want to buy points or request lender credits.
- Discuss seller credits before making your offer and align with loan-program limits.
- Ask the title company for a draft closing statement once you are clear to close.
- Confirm wire instructions directly with the title company by phone to avoid fraud.
Buying in Round Rock should feel clear and organized. If you want a second set of eyes on your fees or need help structuring a seller credit that fits your loan, reach out. You will get straight answers, local insight, and a plan that fits your timeline and budget. Connect with Chet Smith to talk through your next move.
FAQs
What are typical buyer closing costs in Round Rock?
- Most buyers pay about 2% to 5% of the purchase price in closing costs, not including the down payment, plus prepaids and escrows that vary by timing and tax rates.
How do I find my exact closing costs?
- Your lender’s Loan Estimate (3 business days after application) and the Closing Disclosure (3 business days before closing) list exact fees and total cash to close.
Can the seller pay my closing costs in Texas?
- Yes, sellers can contribute toward buyer closing costs within loan-program limits; confirm the allowable amount with your lender before you write the offer.
Who usually pays for the owner’s title policy in Texas?
- It is negotiable, but in many Texas transactions sellers pay for the owner’s policy; always verify the term in your contract and with your agent.
How can I reduce my cash to close without delaying closing?
- Shop lenders, request specific seller credits, consider lender credits, close late in the month to lower prepaid interest, and reuse an acceptable survey if possible.
What do I need to bring on closing day?
- Bring a government-issued photo ID and certified funds by wire or cashier’s check for your cash to close, following your title company’s instructions.
