Buying a home in Gilbert is exciting, but the final number you bring to closing can feel like a mystery. You want to plan with confidence, avoid surprises, and understand where every dollar goes. In this guide, you’ll learn what typical closing costs look like for Gilbert buyers, what’s negotiable, and practical ways to lower your cash to close. You’ll also see local specifics that matter in Maricopa County so you can navigate closing with clarity. Let’s dive in.

What closing costs include

Closing costs are the one-time fees and prepayments you make to finalize your purchase. In Gilbert, these generally fall into a few categories:

• Lender costs: origination or application fees, underwriting and processing, credit report, and optional discount points to lower your rate. Most buyers also pay for the appraisal.
• Title and escrow: title insurance policies, escrow/closing fee, and county recording fees.
• Prepaids and prorations: property tax proration based on the closing date, first year of homeowners insurance, and prepaid interest.
• HOA-related items: transfer and estoppel fees when the property has an HOA.

Exact line items depend on your lender, loan program, sales price, HOA, and how you negotiate the contract.

Who pays what in Arizona

Arizona uses title and escrow companies to handle closings and hold funds in escrow. For financed buyers, you receive a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing, which outlines your final numbers. You can review the timing and disclosures through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s guidance on Loan Estimates and Closing Disclosures.

• Owner’s title policy: In many Arizona transactions, the seller pays for the owner’s title policy that protects you as the buyer. This is a custom, not a rule, and it can be negotiated.
• Lender’s title policy: Typically paid by the buyer, since it protects the lender.
• Escrow/closing fee: Often split or negotiated.
• Recording fees: Buyers commonly pay for recording the deed of trust and mortgage. The Maricopa County Recorder publishes current document and recording information.

Because customs can vary, confirm who pays each line item in your contract.

Buyer costs at a glance

You can expect several common buyer-paid items:

• Appraisal fee: Required by most lenders for financed purchases.
• Lender fees: Origination or application charges, underwriting, processing, and document prep; some can be shopped.
• Discount points: Optional prepaid interest to lower your rate. One point equals 1% of the loan amount.
• Mortgage insurance: Applies to certain loans. FHA has an upfront mortgage insurance premium and ongoing monthly premiums; see program guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for details.
• Title and escrow: Lender’s policy and a share of escrow fees, depending on negotiation.
• Prepaids: First year of homeowners insurance, prepaid interest from funding to your first payment, and tax prorations based on Maricopa County’s tax calendar.
• HOA transfer/estoppel: Common in Gilbert’s planned communities and due at closing; your contract will assign who pays.

Loan types and seller concessions

Loan programs handle mortgage insurance and seller-paid costs differently. Limits below are common, but always verify with your lender.

• Conventional: Seller concessions are often capped based on your down payment. A typical guideline is around 3% of the price if your down payment is under 10%, with higher limits for larger down payments.
• FHA: Seller concessions commonly allowed up to 6% of the sales price for eligible items.
• VA: The seller can cover many buyer costs and concessions, though the veteran usually pays the VA funding fee unless negotiated otherwise.
• USDA: Concessions are possible, subject to program rules.

Your lender can show you how concessions interact with your interest rate, mortgage insurance, and closing credits.

Negotiable vs. fixed costs

Some fees can be reduced or shifted through shopping and negotiation, while others are largely set.

• Negotiable or shoppable:

  • Lender charges and discount points by comparing Loan Estimates.
  • Escrow and title fees can sometimes be split or negotiated.
  • Seller concessions toward allowable buyer costs.
  • Homeowners insurance coverage and premium.

• Mostly fixed:

  • Government recording fees set by Maricopa County.
  • Required third-party reports like appraisals and credit checks.
  • Mortgage insurance structures required by the loan program.

How much to budget

As a general rule of thumb for Gilbert and the broader Maricopa County market:

• Buyer closing costs: commonly about 2% to 5% of the purchase price, excluding your down payment.
• Seller closing costs: commonly about 6% to 10% of the sales price. This range often includes broker commissions, any seller-paid owner’s title policy, and seller-paid items negotiated in the contract. National sources report total broker commissions often fall in the mid-single-digit percent range, though local practice varies.

Illustrative examples for buyers and sellers:

• On a $350,000 home: buyers might see about $7,000 to $17,500; sellers about $21,000 to $35,000.
• On a $500,000 home: buyers about $10,000 to $25,000; sellers about $30,000 to $50,000.
• On a $750,000 home: buyers about $15,000 to $37,500; sellers about $45,000 to $75,000.

These are estimates. Your totals will depend on your loan type, HOA fees, proration dates, who pays the owner’s title policy, and any seller credits. Ask your lender for a written Loan Estimate and your escrow company for an itemized title and escrow quote.

Gilbert’s HOA considerations

Gilbert has many planned communities with HOAs. Expect:

• Transfer and estoppel fees: These are common and can run several hundred dollars. Your contract will specify whether you or the seller pays. Request the HOA’s fee schedule and document package early to avoid delays.
• Dues prorations: HOA dues are prorated as of the closing date, so each party pays their fair share for the period they own the home.

If you are budgeting tightly, account for HOA-related items alongside lender and title costs.

Taxes and recording in Maricopa County

Property tax prorations depend on the county’s assessment and billing cycles. Buyers typically reimburse the seller for any prepaid portion that covers the period after closing, or receive a credit if taxes are due soon.

• Review tax timelines and payment schedules through the Maricopa County Treasurer for the latest dates and payment options.
• For parcel-specific valuation and tax details, consult the Maricopa County Assessor.
• For deed and deed of trust recording information, use the Maricopa County Recorder’s resources.

These county sources help your escrow officer calculate accurate prorations based on your exact closing date.

Timing and your disclosures

In Arizona, title and escrow companies handle the closing process. For financed purchases, you will receive a Loan Estimate early and a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before signing. The CFPB explains what must appear on these forms and when you should receive them. If numbers change substantially, your lender will refresh the disclosures.

Review each document in detail, ask about any fee that seems unfamiliar, and compare your Closing Disclosure to your original Loan Estimate.

Ways to lower your cash to close

Small decisions can make a big difference in your upfront costs:

• Compare lenders: Shop at least two Loan Estimates to evaluate origination fees, appraisal costs, and available credits.
• Consider lender credits: Accept a slightly higher interest rate in exchange for a credit that offsets closing costs.
• Review discount points: If your priority is lower upfront cash, choose fewer or no points.
• Negotiate concessions: Ask the seller to cover allowable costs within your loan program’s limits.
• Shop insurance: Compare homeowners insurance for coverage and price.
• Clarify title and escrow splits: Request a fair split of escrow fees and confirm who pays the owner’s title policy.

Some charges, like government recording and required third-party reports, are generally fixed, so focus your effort where it counts.

What to do next

If you want precise numbers for your Gilbert purchase:

1. Request a Loan Estimate from at least two lenders early. The CFPB’s overview of Loan Estimates and Closing Disclosures explains what to look for.
2. Ask a local title or escrow company for an itemized estimate that includes title premiums, escrow fees, recording fees, and estimated prorations. The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions provides information on title insurance oversight in the state.
3. If your property has an HOA, request the HOA estoppel and fee schedule as soon as you go under contract.
4. Ask for a transaction-specific buyer or seller net sheet so you can see line items by closing date and price point.
5. When your Closing Disclosure arrives, review it carefully and compare it to your Loan Estimate. Question any large differences before signing.

You do not have to navigate this alone. If you want a clear line-by-line estimate and negotiation plan for your Gilbert purchase, connect with the family-led team at The Guerrero Group for a complimentary market consultation.

FAQs

How much do Gilbert buyers typically pay at closing?

• Buyers commonly pay about 2% to 5% of the purchase price for closing costs, excluding the down payment, with exact amounts driven by loan type, HOA fees, title splits, and any seller credits.

What percent do sellers in Gilbert usually pay?

• Sellers often see total costs around 6% to 10% of the sales price, which typically includes broker commissions, any seller-paid owner’s title policy, and other negotiated items, though totals vary by contract.

Who pays for owner’s title insurance in Gilbert?

• In many Arizona transactions, the seller pays for the owner’s title policy by custom, but it is fully negotiable and should be confirmed in your purchase contract.

How are Maricopa County property taxes handled at closing?

• Taxes are prorated based on the closing date and the county calendar, with buyers reimbursing or receiving credits so each party pays only for the period they own the property.

Do HOAs add fees to buyer closing costs in Gilbert?

• Yes, many Gilbert homes are in HOAs that charge transfer and estoppel fees, which are assigned to the buyer or seller by contract and should be requested early to avoid delays.

How can I get an exact closing cost number for my purchase?

• Request a Loan Estimate from your lender and an itemized title and escrow quote, then review your Closing Disclosure at least three business days before signing to confirm the final figures.

References and helpful resources:

• Learn about Loan Estimates and Closing Disclosures through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s guidance.
• Review FHA program details via the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• See recording information at the Maricopa County Recorder.
• Check property tax schedules at the Maricopa County Treasurer.
• Look up parcel details at the Maricopa County Assessor.
• Explore Arizona real estate practices at the Arizona Department of Real Estate.
• Understand title insurance oversight at the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.
• For national commission context, visit the National Association of Realtors.