Solve a Problem
How Much Cash Do I Need?
Your down payment is only part of the number. Closing costs, prepaid items, and reserves usually add more than buyers expect.
The situation
Most first-time buyers plan around the down payment and are caught off guard by everything else due at closing: lender and title fees, prepaid taxes and insurance, and recording costs. Understanding cash to close as its own number — separate from the down payment — prevents a scramble in the final weeks before closing.
Questions people in this situation usually ask
- What's the difference between my down payment and my total cash to close?
- What is typically included in North Carolina closing costs?
- Can a seller or lender help cover some of these costs?
- How much should I keep in reserves after closing?
Relevant tools
Related situations
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