Closing costs in Miami-Dade and Broward: who pays what in 2026

Short answer: closing costs in Miami-Dade and Broward are split between buyer and seller by county custom and by the contract. The buyer usually pays lender fees, the owner's title policy, and the taxes on the mortgage. The seller usually pays the documentary stamp tax on the deed, commissions, and prorated property taxes. Buyers should budget about 2% to 5% of the price.

Who pays for the owner's title policy in Miami-Dade and Broward?

The buyer, by custom. In Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier and Sarasota counties the buyer customarily pays for the owner's title insurance policy and chooses the title company. In most other Florida counties, including Palm Beach, the seller pays and chooses. Either can be changed in the purchase contract; the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar contract has a box for it.

This is the most misunderstood fact in South Florida closings, because most statewide articles describe the seller-pays custom without noting the exception. If your realtor is used to Palm Beach and you are buying in Miami-Dade, confirm which box is checked before you sign.

How much is title insurance in Florida?

Florida title insurance premiums are set by the state under Rule 69O-186.003, Florida Administrative Code, so the premium is the same at every title company. The promulgated rate is $5.75 per $1,000 for the first $100,000 of coverage and $5.00 per $1,000 from $100,000 to $1 million, with a $100 minimum and lower rates above $1 million.

On a $400,000 home, the owner's policy premium is $575 for the first $100,000 plus $1,500 for the next $300,000, or $2,075. A lender's policy issued at the same time is a simultaneous-issue rate of $25, plus any endorsements the lender requires.

What are Florida's transfer taxes at closing?

Florida charges three taxes at closing, set in Chapter 201 of the Florida Statutes and published by the Florida Department of Revenue. The deed tax is lower in Miami-Dade.

What does a $400,000 purchase cost at closing in Miami-Dade?

For a buyer with an 80% loan on a $400,000 single-family home in Miami-Dade, the title premiums and state taxes come to about $3,860 before lender fees, the settlement fee and prepaids. The seller's deed tax is $2,400.

This example excludes lender fees, prepaids, survey and HOA estoppel fees, which vary by deal. Use the Skybridge calculator for an itemized estimate on your own numbers. We confirm every figure in writing before you sign.

How long does closing take in Florida?

A typical financed residential closing takes 2 to 4 weeks from signed contract to recorded deed. The title search and commitment usually take 3 to 7 business days; the lender's underwriting is the longer part. Cash purchases can close in 7 to 10 days once title is clear.

Title company or real estate attorney: which do you need in Florida?

In Florida, either a licensed title agency or an attorney can conduct a closing; neither is required by law for a residential purchase. Most South Florida residential deals close at a title company. Choose an attorney when the deal involves a dispute, an estate, a foreclosure, or unusual contract terms. Skybridge closes standard residential and refinance transactions and refers matters that need legal advice.

What happens if the title search finds a problem?

The title company clears it before closing, or the deal does not close. Common findings are unpaid liens, open permits, unreleased old mortgages, and errors in prior deeds. Most are cleared with a payoff, a release, or a corrective document. Title insurance protects you from defects the search could not have found, such as forged signatures or unknown heirs.

How do you avoid wire fraud at closing?

Call the title company at a number you already have before sending any money, and never act on wiring instructions received by email alone. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center counted 12,368 real estate fraud complaints and $275.1 million in losses in 2025, up 58% in one year (IC3 2025 Internet Crime Report). Skybridge Title never sends or changes wiring instructions by email.

Does Skybridge Title work with buyers who speak Kreyòl, Spanish or French?

Yes. Skybridge Title staff close in English, Español, Kreyòl and Français, and the after-hours phone line answers in English, Kreyòl and French. The office is at 655 NE 125th Street, Suite A, North Miami, FL 33161, serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties, with online closings available statewide.

Frequently asked questions

What does a title company do?
A title company confirms the seller owns the home, clears any liens or claims, insures your ownership, holds funds in escrow, and runs the closing. It is the neutral third party that makes sure the sale is done right and the deed is recorded in your name.

Who pays closing costs in Florida?
Both sides pay some. The buyer usually pays lender fees, the taxes on the mortgage, and prepaids. The seller usually pays the deed tax and commissions. Who pays the owner's title policy depends on the county: the buyer in Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier and Sarasota, the seller in most other counties.

How much are closing costs on a $400,000 house in Florida?
A buyer with an 80% loan should expect roughly $3,860 in title premiums and state taxes before lender fees, settlement fees and prepaids, and about 2% to 5% of the price in total. In Miami-Dade the seller's deed tax is $2,400 at the reduced $0.60 rate. Exact figures depend on the contract, county and lender.

Is title insurance cheaper at one Florida title company than another?
No. Florida sets the premium by rule, so the owner's policy costs the same everywhere. What varies is the settlement fee, the endorsements, and how well the file is handled.

Do I need title insurance if I pay cash?
A lender's policy is not required because there is no lender, but an owner's policy is still recommended. It is a one-time premium that protects your ownership against hidden defects for as long as you own the home.

How long does a closing take?
Two to four weeks for a financed purchase, from signed contract to recorded deed. Cash deals can close in about a week once title is clear.

Can I close online?
Yes. Skybridge offers in-office and remote online closings using Florida-approved remote online notarization. Some lenders require in-person signing, so confirm with your loan officer.

Is Skybridge Title licensed?
Yes. Skybridge Title, LLC is a Florida licensed title insurance agency, license number W855791, located in North Miami and underwritten by First American Title and Investors Title Insurance Company.

Sources

• Florida Department of Revenue: Documentary Stamp Tax
• Florida Department of Financial Services: Title Insurance Overview (promulgated rates)
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Owning a Home and the Closing Disclosure
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: 2025 Internet Crime Report

Reviewed by the Skybridge Title closing team. Florida licensed title insurance agency, Lic. #W855791. Rates cited are as published by the Florida Department of Revenue and Florida DFS as of September 2026; confirm current figures with us before you sign.