Closing costs in Maryland
What a buyer or seller pays at the closing table in Maryland — the real transfer-tax rate, recording fees, title-insurance method and attorney rules, plus a calculator that uses Maryland's actual rates.
- Transfer tax
- 0.5%
- customarily split-paid
- Recording fee (deed)
- ~$120
- a flat fee per document
- Title insurance
- filed
- ~$5.50 / $1,000
- Attorney at closing
- Not required
Maryland in the national transfer-tax dataset
0.5%, #12 of 51 nationally; at $400,000, that is $1,360 above the median $640 tax at $400,000. The comparison uses the 51 source-verified state and DC records in the TallyClose dataset; null transfer-tax states count as 0% rather than being filled with an estimate.
- National rank
- #12 of 51
- highest state transfer-tax rate first
- Median-state tax at $400,000
- $640
- Maryland: $2,000
- County coverage
- 4
- 0 with a city-tax field
Maryland transfer-tax data: official source linked on this page, reviewed 2026-Q2.
How closing costs work in Maryland
The biggest closing-cost variable in Maryland is the real-estate transfer tax, which here is 0.5% and is customarily split-paid. Maryland charges a 0.5% state transfer tax (reduced to 0.25% when the buyer is a first-time Maryland homebuyer, in which case the seller pays it), plus county transfer tax (0.5%–1.5% by county) and the state recordation tax ($2.50–$5.00 per $500). Combined, Maryland's recording burden is among the steeper ones; customs on who pays vary by county.
On a $400,000 home, the state-level transfer tax works out to roughly $2,000 , before any county or city add-ons. County recording fees are a flat fee per document and run around $120 for the deed.
For title insurance, Maryland title-insurance rates are filed with the state and broadly similar between companies, though you can sometimes shop. Maryland does not require an attorney at closing — a title or escrow company typically handles settlement, though you can hire an attorney if you want one. Lenders here typically charge $1,500–$3,200 in origination and processing fees, and 2 months of property-tax escrow is commonly collected at closing.
Statute: Md. Code, Tax-Property § 13-203 (transfer tax). Official source ↗
Maryland closing cost calculator
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Counties in Maryland
County and city taxes can change the total significantly. Open a county for its precise rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in Maryland?
In Maryland, buyer closing costs typically run about 2%–5% of the purchase price. The state-specific pieces are the transfer tax (0.5%, customarily split-paid), county recording fees (a flat fee per document, around $120), and title insurance. Maryland does not require an attorney at closing. Use the calculator above for your price.
What is the transfer tax in Maryland?
Maryland's real-estate transfer tax is 0.5% and is customarily split-paid. Maryland charges a 0.5% state transfer tax (reduced to 0.25% when the buyer is a first-time Maryland homebuyer, in which case the seller pays it), plus county transfer tax (0.5%–1.5% by county) and the state recordation tax ($2.50–$5.00 per $500). Combined, Maryland's recording burden is among the steeper ones; customs on who pays vary by county.
Who pays closing costs in Maryland?
Both buyer and seller pay different items. The transfer tax in Maryland is customarily split-paid. Buyers generally cover lender fees, the appraisal, lender's title insurance and prepaids; sellers generally cover the agent commission and, in most states, the bulk of the transfer tax. Everything is negotiable in the contract.
Do I need an attorney to close in Maryland?
No. Maryland does not require an attorney at closing; a title or escrow company typically handles settlement. You may still choose to hire one.
Closest transfer-tax comparisons
Algorithmic neighbors by verified transfer-tax rate, not a static related-links block.
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