What closing costs do buyers pay in Fort Worth? Mostly loan charges, the lender's title policy, half the escrow fee, and prepaid insurance, interest, and tax reserves. Your Loan Estimate lists them within three business days of applying.
Closing costs are where a lot of buyers get surprised. You save for the down payment, and then a second number shows up that you didn't plan for. The good news is that in Texas, the contract spells out who pays for what, and federal rules make lenders show you their costs in writing early.
I'm not going to give you a single percentage, because your costs depend on your loan, your lender, your price, and what you negotiate. Instead, here's every category you'll see and how each one works. If you're on the other side of the deal, I covered seller costs in What It Costs to Sell a House in Fort Worth.
What the Texas contract assigns to the buyer
Paragraph 12 of the TREC resale contract lists the buyer's expenses. In plain terms, they include appraisal fees, loan application and origination charges, credit reports, loan document preparation, interest from funding to one month before your first payment, recording fees, the loan title policy with the endorsements your lender requires, one-half of the escrow fee, prepaid items like insurance premiums and reserve deposits for taxes and insurance, underwriting and wire fees, and any PMI, VA funding fee, or FHA mortgage insurance premium your lender requires.
That list is long, but most of it comes down to three groups: what the lender charges, what the title company charges, and what you're prepaying.
Lender charges
Origination fees, discount points, underwriting, the appraisal, and the credit report all come from your loan. These vary the most from lender to lender, which is exactly why you should compare. The CFPB says a lender must give you a Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your application. Get Loan Estimates from several lenders and compare them line by line.
If you're using an FHA or VA loan, the upfront mortgage insurance premium or VA funding fee also shows up here, though it's often financed into the loan.
Title insurance: Texas sets the price
In Texas, the Texas Department of Insurance sets title insurance premium rates, so the premium is the same at every title company. Two policies matter:
- The owner's policy protects you. The TREC contract has the seller furnish it, with a checkbox for whether the seller or the buyer pays. Under the rates effective March 1, 2026, the basic premium on a $330,000 policy works out to $1,916.
- The loan policy protects your lender, and the buyer pays for it. When it's issued at the same time as the owner's policy and meets TDI's conditions, TDI's simultaneous issue rule sets the loan policy premium at $100. Your lender will also require certain endorsements, each priced under TDI's rules. The environmental protection lien endorsement (T-36), for example, is $25.
One more title item: the contract lets the parties amend the survey exception to read "shortages in area," and it has a box for whether the buyer or seller pays for that. Ask about it when you write the offer.
Escrow fee and recording
The escrow fee is split by default, half to each side. You'll also pay recording fees for your deed of trust and some smaller items like courier fees. Your title company can quote these up front.
Prepaids and your escrow account
This is the part people forget. Prepaids aren't fees; they're money you'd spend anyway, paid in advance:
- Homeowners insurance. Lenders typically require the first year's premium at closing. Shop for quotes as soon as you're under contract.
- Prepaid interest. Interest from your funding date to the end of that month.
- Escrow reserves. A starting balance in your escrow account for future tax and insurance bills.
Property tax prorations
Texas property taxes are paid in arrears. The Texas Comptroller notes they're due by January 31 of the following year. So the contract prorates the current year's taxes through closing. The seller credits you for their share, and you pay the full bill when it comes due.
Here's a simple example. For 2025, the City of Fort Worth plus Fort Worth ISD, Tarrant County, the hospital district, and Tarrant County College came to a combined $2.16258 per $100 of taxable value. On $330,000 of taxable value, that's about $7,137 for the year. Close on June 30, and the seller's share is roughly half, about $3,540, which shows up as a credit to you. That credit helps at closing, but you need to set it aside for the bill. How Property Taxes Work in Tarrant County explains the calculation.
Once you own the home, apply for your homestead exemption. The Comptroller says school districts must provide a $140,000 residence homestead exemption, plus another $60,000 for owners 65 or older or disabled. If you buy after January 1, you may be able to get it for part of that year, as long as the previous owner didn't already receive it.
Other items that can show up
- Survey. The contract decides whether the seller provides an existing survey with a T-47 affidavit or declaration, or someone orders a new one, and who pays.
- HOA fees. In a mandatory association, expect resale certificate and transfer fees, plus prorated dues.
- Option fee and earnest money. These are due within three days of the contract's effective date. The contract credits the option fee to the sales price at closing, and earnest money is normally applied toward what you owe.
Where the seller can help
The TREC contract has a line where the seller can agree to pay a set amount toward your expenses. It's negotiable. With Redfin reporting Fort Worth homes closing at 98.1% of list price on average over the three months ending August 2026, asking for help with closing costs is a reasonable part of many offers. Your loan program may cap how much the seller can contribute, so check with your lender first.
Frequently asked questions
When will I know my exact closing costs?
You'll get a Loan Estimate within three business days of applying, and the CFPB says lenders must provide your Closing Disclosure three business days before closing. Compare the two.
Who pays for title insurance when buying in Texas?
The buyer pays for the lender's policy. Who pays for the owner's policy is negotiated with a checkbox in the TREC contract.
Can the seller pay my closing costs?
Yes, if you negotiate it. The contract has a line for a seller contribution to your expenses, and your loan program may limit the amount.
Want to see how closing costs fit your budget before you shop? My buyer resources are a good place to start. If you're buying or selling in Fort Worth or Parker County, call or text Josh White at 432.215.9177 or visit buysellfortworthhomes.com.