New Hampshire Closing Costs Guide 2026
New Hampshire’s real estate transfer tax and how buyer and seller each pay it, the statewide recording fees and surcharge, how title insurance rates are filed, how the closing process runs, and a fee-by-fee breakdown for New Hampshire buyers and sellers.
Buyer Closing Costs in New Hampshire
New Hampshire charges its real estate transfer tax to the buyer as well as the seller. The register of deeds’ recording fees and surcharge are also fixed in state law. The rest of a buyer’s closing costs are set by the lender, appraiser, title company and closing agent, which is why comparing Loan Estimates line by line matters.
| Cost | Amount | Who Sets It |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer’s share of the transfer tax | $0.75 per $100 of the price | RSA 78-B:1 and 78-B:4 |
| Recording the mortgage | $10 first page, $4 each additional page | RSA 478:17-g — identical in all 10 counties |
| Surcharge on the deed (paid by the grantee) | $25 | RSA 478:17-g |
| Surcharge on the mortgage (paid by the borrower) | $25 | RSA 478:17-g |
| Lender origination and underwriting | Set by the lender | Compare on the Loan Estimate |
| Appraisal | Set by the appraiser | Ordered through your lender |
| Title insurance | Set by the title insurer | Rates filed with the NH Insurance Department |
| Prepaid property taxes and insurance | Depends on closing date | Escrow set-up |
New Hampshire’s estimated effective property tax rate is 1.66%, so the prepaid tax and escrow reserve lines scale with the price of the home.
New Hampshire Seller Closing Costs
Sellers pay their own share of the transfer tax at the same rate as the buyer, along with a different set of negotiated and provider charges.
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seller’s share of the transfer tax | $0.75 per $100 of the price | RSA 78-B:4 — the same rate applies to buyer and seller |
| Recording a mortgage discharge | $15 first page, $4 each additional page, plus $25 surcharge | RSA 478:17-g; the surcharge is paid by the party discharging the mortgage |
| Real estate commission | Negotiated | Agreed in the listing agreement |
| Mortgage payoff | Payoff amount | Paid from the sale proceeds |
| Property tax proration | Depends on closing date | Seller covers their share of the year |
New Hampshire Real Estate Transfer Tax
RSA 78-B:1 taxes the sale, grant and transfer of real estate at $0.75 per $100 of the price or consideration, or fractional part of $100, with a $20 minimum where the price is $4,000 or less. Under RSA 78-B:4 that rate applies to both the purchaser and the seller, so the combined tax on a sale is $1.50 per $100. The tax is computed to the nearest whole dollar.
| Sale Price | Buyer’s Share | Seller’s Share | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $2,250 | $2,250 | $4,500 |
| $400,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| $500,000 | $3,750 | $3,750 | $7,500 |
| $600,000 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $9,000 |
These are calculations from the statutory rate, not quotes. Confirm the final figures with your closing agent.
Title Insurance in New Hampshire
A lender will require a lender’s title policy; an owner’s policy protects the buyer’s own equity. According to the New Hampshire Insurance Department, premium rates are filed with the Department and open to public inspection, premiums vary from one title insurance company to another, and the owner’s policy may be available for a nominal additional premium when it is issued with the lender’s policy on the same property and borrower.
| Policy Type | Who Pays (Customary, Negotiable) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Lender’s policy | Buyer | Protects the lender’s interest up to the loan amount |
| Owner’s policy | Negotiated in the purchase contract | Protects the buyer’s equity in the property |
| Endorsements | Varies | Cover specific risks such as survey or zoning matters |
The New Hampshire Closing Process
A New Hampshire closing ends with the deed and mortgage recorded at the county register of deeds under the statewide fee schedule, with the transfer tax paid by both parties.
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Offer accepted | Purchase agreement signed; earnest money deposited |
| Loan application | Lender issues a Loan Estimate |
| Title search | Title company or attorney examines the chain of title and issues a commitment |
| Appraisal and underwriting | Value confirmed; conditions cleared |
| Closing Disclosure | Final figures issued before closing |
| Closing and recording | Documents signed, funds disbursed, transfer tax paid, deed and mortgage recorded |
How to Reduce Your New Hampshire Closing Costs
The transfer tax and recording fees are fixed by statute, but most of a New Hampshire closing is negotiable or shoppable.
- Compare lenders. Origination, underwriting and processing fees vary between lenders, and the Loan Estimate exists so you can put them side by side. 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.
- Shop title insurance. The NH Insurance Department notes that premiums vary between title companies, and buying the owner’s policy together with the lender’s policy may cost only a nominal additional premium.
- Ask for seller concessions. Sellers can contribute toward buyer closing costs within your loan program’s limits — VA, for example, caps seller concessions at 4% of reasonable value but does not limit seller credits for closing costs.
- Consider NH Housing assistance. NH Housing’s down payment assistance of up to $15,000 can go toward closing costs as well as the down payment.
- Check the page count. Each recorded page after the first adds $4.
