Arkansas Closing Costs 2026
A transfer tax that never touches the loan, statutory recording fees that are the same in every county, and title insurance premiums set by the title insurer.
Buyer closing costs in Arkansas
Arkansas is an inexpensive state to close in. The transfer tax is modest, the loan instrument is not taxed at all, and recording fees are fixed by statute rather than set county by county.
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recording the deed | $15 first page, $5 each additional | Ark. Code § 21-6-306 |
| Recording the mortgage | $15 first page, $5 each additional | A separate instrument, charged separately |
| Lender origination and underwriting | ~$900–$1,500 | Varies by lender; negotiable |
| Appraisal | $700–$850 (VA fee schedule) | Ordered by the lender |
| Lender’s title policy | Set by the title insurer | Shop this |
| Prepaid taxes and insurance | Varies | Escrow set-up, driven by your closing date |
Amounts shown with a ~ are practical ranges, not published figures. The recording fees and the transfer tax are statutory and can be relied on; the service charges above vary between lenders and are the part worth negotiating.
Seller closing costs in Arkansas
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real property transfer tax | $3.30 per $1,000 of consideration | Customarily negotiated; the tax attaches to the deed |
| Owner’s title policy | Set by the title insurer | Who pays is a matter of local custom and negotiation |
| Real estate commission | Negotiable | Set by agreement, not by any state schedule |
| Payoff recording | $15 first page, $5 each additional | Releasing the existing mortgage |
Arkansas does not assign the transfer tax to either party by statute. The Department of Finance and Administration publishes the rate but not who pays it, so treat it as a negotiated item rather than assuming the seller covers it.
Arkansas transfer tax
The real property transfer tax is levied on each deed or other instrument conveying real property, at $3.30 per $1,000 of actual consideration on transactions that exceed $100.
| Purchase price | Transfer tax |
|---|---|
| $150,000 | $495.00 |
| $200,000 | $660.00 |
| $250,000 | $825.00 |
| $350,000 | $1,155.00 |
The tax applies to the conveyance only. Arkansas levies no mortgage tax and no mortgage registration tax — the Department of Finance and Administration’s inventory of miscellaneous taxes contains no such levy. Recording your loan costs the recording fee and nothing more. Rate published by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.
Title insurance in Arkansas
Title insurance premiums in Arkansas are set by the title insurer.
| Policy type | Who pays (customary, negotiable) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Lender’s policy | Usually the buyer | Protects the lender’s interest up to the loan amount |
| Owner’s policy | Negotiated locally | Protects the buyer’s equity in the property |
| Closing protection letter | Usually the buyer | Protects against closing agent error or misappropriation |
Title insurance premiums are set by the title insurer, so quotes can differ between providers on the same transaction. Getting more than one is an easy way to save at an Arkansas closing.
The Arkansas closing process
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Contract and earnest money | Earnest money is deposited with the closing agent or brokerage |
| Title search | The closing agent examines the chain of title and clears exceptions |
| Loan Estimate | Your lender must provide one within three business days of application |
| Closing Disclosure | Delivered at least three business days before closing |
| Closing and recording | Documents are signed, then the deed and mortgage are recorded with the county circuit clerk |
Comparing your Closing Disclosure against your Loan Estimate line by line is the point at which errors surface. The CFPB’s Loan Estimate explainer walks through what each section means.
How to reduce your Arkansas closing costs
- Shop the title provider. Because Arkansas does not require title rates to be filed, there is no published schedule holding quotes together. Two providers on the same purchase can differ by hundreds of dollars.
- Compare lenders. Origination, underwriting and processing charges are set by each lender and are the most negotiable part of your costs. This is where working with an experienced Brokered Mortgage Advisor can help you save time and money throughout your transaction, by shopping rates and costs with several different lenders before your loan package is submitted.
- Ask for seller concessions. Every major loan programme allows the seller to contribute toward buyer closing costs within programme limits.
- Time your closing. Closing later in the month reduces the prepaid interest collected at settlement.
- Check ADFA assistance. ADFA Down Payment Assistance of $1,000 to $15,000 can be applied to closing costs as well as down payment — remembering that it is a repayable second mortgage rather than a grant.
