Closing Costs In Cook vs. DuPage: A Simple Guide

Ever wonder why the same $400,000 home can have different closing costs just a few miles apart? If you live in La Grange and you’re comparing a sale or purchase in nearby DuPage County, that question is common. You want a clear answer, a simple breakdown, and a plan you can trust. In this guide, you’ll learn what closing costs include, where Cook and DuPage often differ, and how to estimate your numbers with easy, hypothetical examples. Let’s dive in.

What closing costs include

Closing costs are the fees and credits that finalize your sale or purchase. They cover title work, recording and transfer taxes, lender and appraisal fees, inspections, and prorations for property taxes and utilities. Some costs are fixed by county or state schedules, while others are negotiable or set by contract.

In Illinois, you’ll see both buyer and seller line items. Who pays each one can be guided by local custom or set by your contract. Your attorney, title company, and agent will confirm the exact breakdown before you sign.

Seller costs in Illinois

• Real estate commission. This is usually the largest seller expense and is negotiated in your listing agreement.
• Owner’s title insurance policy. In many Illinois markets, sellers commonly pay for the buyer’s owner’s policy, but this is negotiable.
• Payoffs and liens. Any existing mortgage, liens, or judgments must be paid off at closing.
• Transfer taxes and recording items. County and municipal transfer stamps may apply. Who pays can be negotiable or set by ordinance.
• Closing, escrow, and municipal items. Some towns require inspections or compliance certificates. Fees vary by municipality.
• Prorated taxes and utilities. You’ll typically credit the buyer for property taxes through the closing date.

Buyer costs in Illinois

• Lender fees. Origination, processing, and underwriting charges vary by lender.
• Appraisal, credit report, and flood certification. These are common third-party charges.
• Title search and lender’s title policy. Your lender will usually require a lender’s policy.
• Recording fees. Counties charge to record the deed and mortgage.
• Prepaid items and escrows. Expect homeowner’s insurance, several months of tax escrow, and prepaid interest.
• Survey. Sometimes requested by the lender or buyer.

As a general rule of thumb, buyer closing costs often run about 2-5% of the purchase price, excluding the down payment. Seller costs vary widely, largely due to commission.

Cook vs DuPage: Key differences to expect

The biggest differences you’ll notice between Cook County and DuPage County tend to show up in transfer taxes, recording fees, title practices, and tax prorations. Rates and policies change, and some are specific to each municipality, so always verify the current figures with county offices and your closing team.

Transfer taxes and stamps

Illinois real estate transfers can include more than one layer of tax. Beyond the state tax, there may be county and municipal transfer taxes or stamps. Who pays each one can be negotiable or set by local ordinance. In La Grange (Cook County), you’ll confirm whether any village-specific transfer fees apply and who is responsible for them. In DuPage, some villages have local transfer charges while others do not. Your contract and municipal rules control the final answer.

Recording fees

Recording fees are set by each county and are charged per document, sometimes with per-page rules. Cook and DuPage can use different fee schedules and document requirements. The impact is usually modest, but it can change your totals by tens or low hundreds of dollars, depending on your document count.

Title insurance and closing practices

Owner’s title insurance protects the buyer’s ownership, and many Illinois sellers customarily pay for that policy, but this is negotiable. The lender’s title policy is typically required and appears on the buyer side. Specific premiums depend on price and title company rate filings. Your attorney or title officer will confirm who pays what based on your contract and local custom.

Property tax prorations

Illinois property taxes are typically paid in arrears. That means at closing the seller usually credits the buyer for taxes through the day of closing based on the most recent billed amount or a reasonable estimate if the current bill is not yet issued. Because billing schedules and rates differ by county, your proration formula might look slightly different in Cook vs DuPage. Your attorney and title company will calculate the exact credit or debit.

Municipal inspections and utilities

Some municipalities require pre-sale inspections, compliance certificates, or final water readings. Others do not. Utility and HOA dues are typically prorated through the closing date according to your contract. Check with the village and your title officer early to avoid last-minute surprises.

All dollar amounts and percentages in this article are estimates and examples for illustration only. Exact fees and who pays them vary by contract, county, municipality, lender, and title company. Always verify current rates with county offices, your attorney, and your title company.

Hypothetical examples you can adapt

To show how the pieces fit together, here are two simplified, hypothetical scenarios for a $400,000 single-family home. Use the method, then plug in your actual county and municipal numbers from your title officer.

Scenario A: La Grange (Cook County) — Buyer estimate

• Lender fees: $1,000-3,000
• Appraisal: $450-700
• Credit report: $30-60
• Title (lender’s policy + search): $600-1,200
• Recording of mortgage: county fee that varies by schedule
• Prepaid items and escrows: often $1,500-4,000 depending on loan and taxes
• Estimated buyer total: roughly $6,000-12,000, or about 2-3% of price

Scenario A: La Grange (Cook County) — Seller estimate

• Commission at a negotiated rate (illustrative example: 5.5% on $400,000 = $22,000)
• Owner’s title policy if customarily paid by seller: often about $1,000-2,500, depending on price and rate filings
• Transfer taxes per county and municipality schedules
• Payoff of existing mortgage, prorated taxes credited to buyer, and closing fees

Scenario B: Nearby DuPage County — What may change

• Transfer taxes. If a DuPage municipality has no local transfer tax, the line might be lower than in a Cook municipality that does. If a village has its own tax, that line can increase. The payer can be negotiable or set by ordinance.
• Recording fees. DuPage may use a different per-document or per-page fee schedule, which can change totals by a modest amount.
• Title premiums. Filed rates can vary, but differences are usually small compared to commission or taxes.

How to estimate transfer tax for your price

If a transfer tax is quoted as X dollars per Y dollars of price, use this method:

• Transfer tax = (Sale price ÷ Y) × X
• Example (illustrative only): If a county charges $1.50 per $500 transferred on a $400,000 sale, you would compute $400,000 ÷ $500 = 800 units; 800 × $1.50 = $1,200.

Replace the example with your county’s and village’s current rates to get your actual number.

Checklist before you sign

• Which transfer taxes and recording fees apply, and who pays each one under our contract and local rules?
• What is the expected property tax proration at closing based on the latest bill or estimate?
• Will the seller provide an owner’s title policy, or is the buyer purchasing it?
• What are the lender’s fees, and how much will the escrow deposit be for taxes and insurance?
• Are there municipal inspections, transfer stamps, final water readings, or special assessments to clear?
• What documents will be recorded, and what are the county’s per-document and per-page fees?

Local resources to verify numbers

Confirm current figures with these offices and your closing team:

• Cook County Recorder and Cook County Treasurer for recording, transfer, and tax billing information.
• DuPage County Recorder and DuPage County Treasurer for recording fees and tax schedules.
• Your title company for exact premiums, endorsements, and who pays which title charges based on local custom.
• Your village hall or municipal clerk for any transfer stamps, inspection requirements, or special assessments.
• Your lender and attorney for final fee sheets, payoffs, and credits.

Get calm, expert guidance for your move

When you’re buying or selling in La Grange and comparing options across the DuPage line, small differences can add up. You deserve clear answers, precise numbers, and a plan that avoids last-minute surprises. AFNR Homes pairs legal-grade contract management with concierge-level coordination so you close with confidence, on either side of the county line. Ready for a tailored estimate and strategy for your property? Connect with AFNR Homes for a complimentary market consultation.

FAQs

What are typical buyer closing costs in La Grange?

• Buyers often see about 2-5% of the purchase price for lender fees, appraisal, title, recording, and prepaids, excluding the down payment.

Who pays transfer taxes in Cook or DuPage County?

• It depends on the specific state, county, and municipal rules and your contract; some charges are negotiable while others are set by ordinance.

Are Illinois property taxes prorated at closing?

• Yes; taxes are typically paid in arrears, and the seller usually credits the buyer for taxes through the closing date based on the latest bill or a reasonable estimate.

Do sellers usually pay for the owner’s title policy in Illinois?

• In many Illinois markets sellers commonly pay for the owner’s policy, but it is negotiable and confirmed by your contract and local custom.

How different are recording fees between Cook and DuPage?

• Each county sets its own schedule; differences are usually modest and depend on document count and any per-page rules.