Who pays closing costs in Florida — the buyer or the seller?

The Full Answer

Both parties pay closing costs, but different ones. In Escambia County, local custom has sellers typically covering the owner's title insurance policy and the deed's documentary stamps, while buyers typically cover their loan origination fees, the lender's title policy, and the note's documentary stamps. None of this is legally required — it's customary and fully negotiable in the purchase contract, which is why closing cost allocation is often part of offer strategy.