For example, in Los Angeles, sellers usually pay for title insurance. In San Francisco, it's customarily paid for by the buyer. Your real estate agent or mortgage broker can tell you which fees are customarily paid for by the buyer in your area and how much they'll cost. Sellers can get an accounting of the closing costs they're likely to pay from their listing agent. The most expensive closing cost a buyer pays is often the loan origination fee.
Lenders charge points to originate a loan.
One point is equal to one percent of the loan amount. This charge can be eliminated if you take a no-point loan. You'll pay a higher interest rate on a no-point loan, but you'll conserve cash. If you don't plan to stay in the home for more than a few years, it may be cheaper in the long run to take a no-point loan and pay the higher interest rate. Most lenders allow parents to give money to their children to use for a home purchase as long as the parents are willing to stipulate that the money doesn't have to be repaid.