Closing costs can feel confusing, especially when you hear about deeds, transfer stamps, and sales disclosures. The good news is there is a clear process in Marion County. When you know which fees show up, who usually pays them, and how they scale, you can price confidently and avoid last‑minute surprises.
Closing costs in plain terms
Closing costs are the services and government fees needed to transfer a home from seller to buyer. Understanding them early helps you set the right price, compare offers fairly, and protect your net proceeds.
Think of closing costs as two buckets. First are provider fees, like title and lender charges. Second are government items tied to recording, transfer, and required disclosures. Your contract decides who pays what, and local practice guides the estimate your title company prepares.
What closing costs include
Every transaction is a little different, but most settlement statements pull from the same playbook.
Common seller charges
- Title company closing or settlement fee
- Owner’s title insurance policy, if provided
- Deed preparation and related document prep
- Recording charges for seller-signed documents
- Transfer-related county fees tied to the deed and disclosures
- Realtor compensation based on the listing agreement
- Property tax prorations through the date of closing
- Any agreed seller credits or repairs
Note: Exact line items vary by contract, title provider, and local norms.
Common buyer charges
- Lender fees, points, and underwriting
- Appraisal and credit report
- Buyer’s title insurance policy, if purchased or required by lender
- Title company closing or settlement fee
- Recording charges for buyer-signed documents and any mortgage
- Prepaid interest, escrow setup, and homeowner’s insurance
- Home inspection and optional tests
When costs are paid
Most items are collected on the settlement statement at closing. Some services, such as appraisal or inspections, may be paid upfront. Your title company will itemize everything in writing before you sign.
Deeds and recording basics
What a deed does
A deed is the legal document that transfers ownership. It lists the parties, the property legal description, and how title is held. Accuracy matters. Names, legal description, and signatures must be correct for the recorder to accept it.
Who prepares the deed
Deeds are prepared by licensed professionals who ensure compliance with state law and local recording standards. Your listing agent coordinates with the title company and, when appropriate, an attorney or deed prep service to get it right and on time.
Recording process and documents
After everyone signs, the title company routes documents for county review and recording. Pages must meet formatting rules. Once the recorder accepts the deed, it becomes part of the public record and ownership is officially transferred.
Sales disclosure fees explained
What the sales disclosure is
In Indiana, most property sales include a Sales Disclosure Form, often called an SDF. It captures details about the sale so assessors can maintain accurate public records and market data.
When it is required
In a standard arms-length sale with money changing hands, an SDF is completed and submitted with the transfer. Some transactions are exempt, but regular residential sales typically include it.
Filing steps and fees
Here is the usual sequence in Marion County:
- The SDF is completed and reviewed by the assessor before transfer. The state provides instructions and tools for this process according to the Department of Local Government Finance.
- The auditor collects transfer-related fees and updates tax records. Industry guidance shows Marion County applies a per-parcel auditor transfer or endorsement fee that is commonly $10 per parcel per auditor fee summaries.
- The recorder accepts and records the deed. Indiana statute sets a baseline fee schedule of $25 for deeds and $55 for mortgages per IC 36-2-7-10. In practice, Marion County’s total per-deed line is commonly estimated at about $35 due to county-specific allocations allowed under law see a practical schedule example and the statute addressing Marion County allocations IC 36-2-7-10.5 reference.
- The SDF filing fee for a non-exempt sale is $20 per IC 6-1.1-5.5-4. Title companies add this to your settlement statement.
Many title companies also pass through small e-recording vendor charges, often around 3 to 6 dollars per document as shown on local fee schedules.
Who pays which fees
Customs vs. contract terms
Who pays each fee is guided by local custom, but your purchase agreement controls. Some sellers cover deed prep and certain recording items. Buyers typically pay lender and appraisal costs. The best approach is to make the offer language clear and confirm with the title company as soon as the contract is signed.
Loan type and concessions
Financing type and negotiated credits can shift the split. For example, a seller credit might offset part of the buyer’s closing costs, or a lender program could cap concessions. Align on the structure early so there are no surprises at the closing table.
Estimate your net proceeds
Use this simple framework to forecast your take-home before you list.
Gather your numbers
- Estimated sale price based on current comps
- Mortgage payoff and any second liens
- Expected closing items: title fees, deed prep, recording, SDF, auditor transfer
- Realtor compensation per your listing agreement
- Property tax prorations and HOA dues
- Any planned credits to the buyer
Build a basic estimate
Start with your target sale price. Subtract your mortgage payoff. Subtract expected closing costs and credits. Subtract prorated taxes or HOA amounts. The result is your working net. Your title partner will refine the numbers once you have an accepted offer.
For Marion County context, here are typical government line estimates for a simple, single-parcel sale, before provider fees:
- Recorder deed: commonly shown near $35 in Marion County practice practical example.
- Auditor transfer fee: $10 per parcel industry auditor guidance.
- SDF filing fee: $20 for non-exempt sales IC 6-1.1-5.5-4.
- E-recording vendor pass-through: usually a few dollars per document example schedule.
If more than one parcel is conveyed, the auditor transfer fee and SDF handling can scale by parcel count state form guidance reference. Confirm the parcel list on your deed.
Review and refine with pros
Ask your agent and title company for a draft net sheet. Update it after you accept an offer and again when final disclosures are prepared. If you are unsure about who pays which fee, get it in writing and confirm with the closer.
Next steps for a smooth closing
Align on documents and deadlines
- Confirm who is preparing the deed and the SDF.
- Track target dates for SDF review, auditor transfer, and recording.
- Ensure names and the legal description are accurate before closing.
Indiana law sets the fee framework and penalties for inaccurate filings. The recorder’s baseline deed fee is set by statute IC 36-2-7-10, Marion County allocation rules are outlined in state code IC 36-2-7-10.5, and the SDF fee and process are set by statute and DLGF guidance IC 6-1.1-5.5-4 and DLGF instructions.
Read the settlement statement
Review the draft statement as soon as it is available. Check fee labels, credits, prorations, and parcel counts. Ask questions before closing so adjustments can be made.
Connect for a net sheet
Want a precise estimate tailored to your neighborhood and price point? Get a free pricing review and a custom net sheet from the Jeff Paxson Team. Our transparent 4.5 percent listing structure and full-service marketing are designed to protect your bottom line.
FAQs
How much are Marion County deed recording fees?
- Indiana sets a $25 baseline for deed recording, but Marion County closings commonly show about $35 on the deed line because of county allocations allowed by state law IC 36-2-7-10 and Marion allocation reference, with practical examples from title fee sheets example.
What is the Sales Disclosure Form fee?
- The SDF filing fee is $20 for non-exempt sales IC 6-1.1-5.5-4. Your title company collects it on the settlement statement.
What is the auditor transfer or endorsement fee in Marion County?
- Industry and county references show a commonly applied $10 per parcel auditor transfer fee collected at closing auditor fee summary.
Do these fees change if my sale includes multiple parcels?
- Yes. The auditor transfer fee and SDF handling typically scale by parcel. Two parcels often mean two auditor fees and more than one SDF unless certain contiguous parcel exceptions apply state form guidance.
Who usually pays deed, SDF, and transfer fees?
- It depends on local custom and your contract. Many items are negotiable. Confirm the split in your accepted offer and with your closer.
Are there penalties for an incorrect SDF?
- Yes. State law provides penalties for failing to correct an inaccurate SDF, including a fine that can be the greater of $100 or a percentage of the sale price IC 6-1.1-5.5-12. Accuracy and assessor review are important DLGF guidance.
Will I see extra e-recording charges?
- Often yes. Title companies may pass through small e-recording vendor fees, typically a few dollars per document example schedule.
How can I get a reliable proceeds estimate before listing?
- Ask for a custom net sheet that reflects Marion County fees, your mortgage payoff, taxes, and your pricing plan. The Jeff Paxson Team will prepare one at no cost so you can list with confidence.
