Escrow Fee Calculator

How it is calculated

The escrow cost has a variable part and a fixed part: total fee = transaction amount × fee % ÷ 100 + flat fee. The transaction amount is the value of the deal held in escrow, in dollars. Fee % is the percentage the escrow provider charges on that value, so type 3.25 for 3.25%. The flat fee is a fixed charge in dollars that applies however large the deal is. The tool shows the total, the percentage part and the flat part. None of the three inputs may be negative or left empty (type 0 if there is no flat fee), and the percentage cannot be above 100; otherwise there is no result. A zero amount still returns the flat fee. The tool charges one fee in total. Many providers split the cost between buyer and seller, add tiers or cap the percentage, so check the provider's actual schedule for who pays what.

Common mistakes

• Typing 0.0325 instead of 3.25 for the percentage. The field is a percentage, so that would be 0.0325% and the fee would look far too small.
• Leaving out the flat fee because the provider advertises only a percentage. Many also charge a setup, wire or document fee. Leaving the field empty gives no result; use 0 only if there truly is none.
• Assuming the buyer pays the whole result. Fees are often split between buyer and seller, or paid by one side only, depending on the agreement.
• Applying the percentage to the wrong base, such as the price before a deposit has been subtracted, when the provider charges on the escrowed amount.
• Typing 325 instead of 3.25. A rate above 100 gives no result, but a slip such as 32.5 is accepted and produces a fee that is ten times too high, so check the percentage line against the provider's quote.