Escrow Fees in California: What Escrow Costs and Who Pays
California escrow fees aren't set by law — each escrow company sets its own. Most charge a base fee plus a rate per $1,000 of the price, plus small itemized charges. Here's how it works, and what Cloud Escrow charges.
How escrow fees are calculated
Most escrow companies charge a base fee plus a rate per $1,000 of the price. On top of that come itemized charges such as wires, messenger/courier, loan tie-in, document preparation, and electronic document fees.
Who pays escrow fees in California
Customs differ by region. In Southern California, independent escrow companies are common and the escrow fee is customarily split between buyer and seller; in much of Northern California, title companies usually handle escrow and the buyer often pays the escrow fee. Every item is negotiable and set in your purchase agreement. With Cloud Escrow, sellers pay $0 in escrow fees. Other closing costs and service fees may apply.
Who pays is set in the purchase agreement and can be negotiated.
Cloud Escrow's fees
Seller
$0.00 per $1,000
$0.00 Base
| Wire | $30 |
|---|---|
| Messenger | $50 |
Buyer
$3.00 per $1,000
$300 Base
| Loan Tie-In | $250 |
|---|---|
| Doc Prep | $175 |
| Archive | $100 |
| Email Doc Fee | $150 |
| Messenger | $50 |
Refinance
$550 Flat Rate
Flat escrow fee
| No other fees |
Other closing costs and service fees may apply.
Example: $1,000,000 purchase
Buyer escrow fee = $300 base + $3.00 × 1,000 (per $1,000 of price) = $3,300. The seller's escrow fee is $0. Itemized charges listed above are added separately. Other closing costs and service fees may apply.
Other closing costs that aren't escrow fees
- Title insurance
- Documentary transfer tax
- Recording fees
- HOA transfer and document fees
- Lender fees
- Property tax and HOA prorations
California transfer tax by area
| Orange County (all cities) | $1.10 per $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles County (most cities) | $1.10 per $1,000 |
| City of Los Angeles | $1.10 county + city transfer tax + Measure ULA on higher-priced sales (City of LA FAQ) |
| Riverside County | $1.10 per $1,000 |
| City of Riverside | $1.10 county + $1.10 city = $2.20 per $1,000 |
| San Diego County | $1.10 per $1,000 |
Some other charter cities also add their own transfer tax. We calculate the exact amount on your estimated settlement statement.
California escrow fees FAQ
How much are escrow fees in California?
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It depends on the company and the price. Many companies charge a base fee plus a rate per $1,000 of the price. At Cloud Escrow, sellers pay a $0 escrow fee, buyers pay $3.00 per $1,000 plus a $300 base fee, and refinances are $550 flat. Other closing costs and service fees may apply.
Who pays escrow fees in Southern California?
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Customarily the buyer and seller split the escrow fee, but it's negotiable and set in the purchase agreement. With Cloud Escrow, the seller's share is $0. Other closing costs and service fees may apply.
Are escrow fees negotiable?
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Escrow fees are set by each escrow company, and buyer and seller agree in the purchase agreement on which company to use and who pays which costs, so it pays to compare published fees.
Are escrow fees the same as closing costs?
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No. The escrow fee is one part of closing costs, which also include title insurance, transfer tax, recording fees, lender fees, and prorations.
What is the documentary transfer tax in California?
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Counties charge $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price. Some charter cities, such as Los Angeles and Riverside, add their own city transfer tax.
What is a sub-escrow fee?
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When a new loan pays off existing loans, the title company often receives the loan funds, pays off the prior loans and liens, and sends the balance to escrow. It charges a sub-escrow fee for that work. It is a title charge, not part of Cloud Escrow's escrow fee.