How much should I budget for closing costs in 2026?

Budgeting for closing costs works better as a checklist than as a single percentage figure to memorize. That list includes the deed recording fee, attorney fees, lender fees if financing, and any prorated property taxes or HOA dues, since South Carolina requires an attorney at every closing. The exact total varies by purchase price, loan type and negotiated concessions, so a flat percentage is not reliable to plan around. Brian Beatty and a local lender prepare an itemized estimate for a specific transaction before closing day.