Cash to Close Calculator
Estimate the cash you need to buy a home in California: down payment, closing costs, prepaid items, and California-specific costs such as transfer tax, Mello-Roos, and HOA fees.
What Makes Up Your Cash to Close
Cash to close is the total you need to bring to the purchase: your down payment, your closing costs, and the prepaid items the lender collects up front, less any credits. Earnest money you have already deposited counts toward it.
Closing costs are fees for services: the lender, appraisal, escrow, title insurance, notary, and recording. Prepaid items are your own future expenses paid in advance: interest from closing to the end of the month, the first year of homeowners insurance, and reserves for an impound account. Each fee field starts with a typical amount that you can replace with a quote.
A few items are specific to California. The county documentary transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 of price, and some cities add their own; in Southern California the seller customarily pays it. Mello-Roos is a special assessment found in many newer communities. It is billed with property taxes, so it raises both your monthly payment and your reserves. If the home is in an HOA, expect the first month of dues plus transfer and document fees.
Example: On a $750,000 purchase with 20% down, the down payment is $150,000. With typical fees, an impound account, and no HOA or Mello-Roos, closing costs and prepaid items add roughly $12,000 to $13,000.
Common Questions
How much are closing costs in California?
Buyers typically pay roughly 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price in closing costs and prepaid items, depending on the loan, the price, and whether there is an impound account.
Can the seller pay my closing costs?
Yes. Seller credits can cover closing costs and prepaid items up to limits set by the loan type: generally 3% to 9% on conventional loans depending on your down payment, 6% on FHA, and 4% on VA. Credits cannot be used toward the down payment.
What is Mello-Roos?
A special tax that pays for roads, schools, and other infrastructure in a community facilities district. It appears on the property tax bill, often for 20 to 40 years, and lenders count it in your monthly payment.