Ask Realest | Buying a Home

What are buyer closing costs in Northwest Indiana, and how do I budget for them?

Real estate agent handing a buyer the house key at closing — Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels

Closing costs are what you pay to finish the purchase, on top of the price and the down payment. The lender and title lines come from your lender and title company, and you’ll see them first on your Loan Estimate and then on your Closing Disclosure. The county part is small and fixed. In both Lake and Porter counties, recording a deed is $25, recording a mortgage is $55, and the sales disclosure form is $20 to the county auditor unless an exemption applies. Porter County also charges a $10 parcel transfer fee per parcel.

Your purchase agreement sets who pays each line, so confirm it with your agent, your lender, and your title company.

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What goes into the number

Lender charges and any points you choose to buy. If you lock a rate, read what a mortgage rate lock covers.
Third-party services such as the appraisal and title insurance. The title company’s first document is the title commitment, and Real Estate USA explains what a title commitment is.
Prepaid items: interest to the end of the closing month, the first year of homeowner’s insurance, and escrow deposits for taxes and insurance
County fees: recording and the sales disclosure
Contract items: who pays for owner’s title, a survey, or a repair credit

We don’t quote title premiums, appraisal fees, or inspection fees here. Each provider sets its own, and you’ll see the real numbers on your statement.

How to budget without guessing

Get a Loan Estimate early and keep it.
Ask your lender which lines can change and which can’t.
If you are financing, the Closing Disclosure arrives at least three business days before closing. Lay it next to the Loan Estimate and ask about any line that grew.
On a Porter County deal, allow for the auditor’s review. For in-person deed filings, Porter County asks for at least 72 business hours and won’t take deeds after 3 p.m. Don’t assume Lake County has the same hold.
Call the title company before you wire anything, using a number you already trust.

How Lake and Porter differ

Both counties charge the same $25 and $55 recording fees and the same $20 disclosure fee. Porter County adds $10 per parcel and, for in-person deed filings, a review of at least 72 business hours. Lake’s posted fee sheet doesn’t list that $10 parcel fee or that hold. Ask your title company if any local fee will show up on your Lake County closing.

Full fee sources, statutes, and county office contacts: Buyer Closing Costs in Lake & Porter County

Quick answers

What are buyer closing costs in Northwest Indiana?

Closing costs are what you pay to finish the purchase, on top of the price and the down payment. The lender and title lines come from your lender and title company, first on the Loan Estimate and then on the Closing Disclosure. In Lake and Porter counties the county fees are small and flat. Your purchase agreement sets who pays each line.

What does it cost to record a deed and a mortgage in Lake or Porter County?

In both Lake and Porter counties, recording a deed is $25 and recording a mortgage is $55. The sales disclosure form is $20 to the county auditor unless an exemption applies. Porter County also charges $10 per parcel.

When do I get the Closing Disclosure?

Under CFPB rules, if you are financing, your lender has to give you the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing.

Sources: Lake County Recorder fee schedule, Porter County Recorder fee schedule, Porter County Auditor deeds page, IC 36-2-7-10, IC 6-1.1-5.5-4, DLGF sales disclosure overview (Aug 20, 2025), CFPB closing cost and Closing Disclosure guidance.