FEE STANDARD · DRAFT V0.1

A common language
for every fee.

Every party in a closing should be able to answer the same six questions about a payment. The Fee Standard gives those answers a consistent shape.

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THE SIX FACTS

Simple questions.
Clearer decisions.

Owner

Who receives or ultimately owns the money?

Payer

Who is responsible for paying it?

Timing

When may it be requested or released?

Destination

Which verified account should receive it?

Rail

How should the money move?

Record

What proves each step happened?

EXPLORE THE DRAFT

Common fees, one view.

Typical patterns only. Payer, timing, and permitted payment methods vary by contract, loan program, local custom, and law.

Showing 34 fees

Fee	Owner	Typical payer	Timing	Destination	Rail
Credit reportLender	Lender (pass-through to credit vendor)	Borrower	May be collected before the Loan Estimate	Lender account	Card · ACH
AppraisalLender	Lender or AMC (pass-through to appraiser)	Borrower	After Loan Estimate + intent to proceed	Lender or AMC account	Card · ACH · at settlement
Application feeLender	Lender	Borrower	After Loan Estimate + intent to proceed	Lender account	Card · ACH
Rate lock feeLender	Lender	Borrower	After Loan Estimate + intent to proceed	Lender account	Card · ACH
Origination chargeLender	Lender	Borrower (or seller credit)	At settlement	Lender, netted from loan funding	Settlement disbursement
Discount pointsLender	Lender	Borrower or seller	At settlement	Lender, netted from loan funding	Settlement disbursement
Underwriting / processingLender	Lender	Borrower	At settlement	Lender, netted from loan funding	Settlement disbursement
Flood certificationLender	Lender (pass-through to vendor)	Borrower	At settlement	Lender or vendor	Settlement disbursement
Condo questionnaireLender	Association or management company	Borrower	When ordered by the lender	Association or vendor account	Card · ACH
Initial escrow depositLender	Borrower’s escrow account at the servicer	Borrower	At settlement	Servicer escrow account	Settlement disbursement
Earnest money depositSettlement	Held for the parties under the contract	Buyer	Per purchase contract, after acceptance	Escrow holder’s trust account	Wire · ACH · check
Cash to closeSettlement	Escrow trust, for disbursement	Buyer	Before disbursement, per good-funds rules	Escrow / trust account	Wire · instant where permitted
Loan proceedsSettlement	Escrow trust, for disbursement	Lender	Before disbursement, per funding conditions	Escrow / trust account	Wire
Mortgage payoffSettlement	Existing lienholder	Seller or refinancing borrower, via settlement	At disbursement, per payoff statement	Lienholder’s verified payoff account	Wire
Seller proceedsSettlement	Seller	Settlement agent	At disbursement	Seller’s verified account	Wire · ACH · check
Settlement / closing feeSettlement	Settlement agent	Buyer, seller, or split by custom	At settlement	Settlement agent operating account, per ledger	Settlement disbursement
Lender’s title policySettlement	Title agent and underwriter	Borrower	At settlement	Title agent, with underwriter remittance	Settlement disbursement
Owner’s title policySettlement	Title agent and underwriter	Seller or buyer, by local custom and contract	At settlement	Title agent, with underwriter remittance	Settlement disbursement
Homeowner’s insurance premiumSettlement	Insurer	Borrower	Before or at settlement	Insurer or agency account	Settlement disbursement · paid outside closing
Listing-side compensationBrokerage	Listing brokerage	Seller, per listing agreement	At settlement	Listing brokerage account	Settlement disbursement
Buyer-broker compensationBrokerage	Buyer’s brokerage	Buyer, seller concession, or listing broker, per written agreements	At settlement, per buyer agreement	Buyer brokerage account	Settlement disbursement · direct
Broker admin / transaction feeBrokerage	Brokerage	Client, per agreement	At settlement	Brokerage account	Settlement disbursement
Referral feeBrokerage	Referring brokerage	Receiving brokerage	After commission is received	Referring brokerage account (broker to broker)	ACH · check
Agent & team splitsBrokerage	Agents and team members	Brokerage	After commission is received	Agent accounts, via brokerage	ACH · payroll
Home inspectionProvider	Inspector	Buyer	At or before the inspection	Inspector account	Card · ACH
SurveyProvider	Surveyor	Buyer, by contract or custom	At order or at settlement	Surveyor account	Settlement disbursement · direct
Pest / WDI reportProvider	Inspector	Buyer or seller, by contract or loan program	At order or at settlement	Inspector account	Card · settlement disbursement
HOA / condo resale docsProvider	Association or management company	Seller or buyer, by state law or contract	At order	Association or manager account	Card · ACH
HOA dues & transfer feesProvider	Association	Seller or buyer, per governing documents	At settlement	Association account	Settlement disbursement
Home warrantyProvider	Warranty company	Seller, buyer, or agent, per contract	At settlement	Warranty company account	Settlement disbursement
Notary / signing agentProvider	Notary or signing company	Settlement agent or lender	After the signing	Signing company account	ACH · check
Recording feesGovernment	County recorder	Buyer or seller, by document	At recording	County, often via e-recording vendor	E-recording · settlement disbursement
Transfer taxesGovernment	State or local taxing authority	Set by local law or contract	At recording	Taxing authority	Settlement disbursement
Property taxes dueGovernment	Taxing authority	Seller and buyer, prorated	At settlement or when due	Taxing authority	Settlement disbursement

SHAPE WHAT COMES NEXT

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A common languagefor every fee.

Simple questions.Clearer decisions.