You found the perfect home in Staten Island, your offer got accepted, and the mortgage is moving through underwriting. Everything feels great — until the closing disclosure arrives and you see a number you weren’t expecting. For many buyers and sellers on Staten Island, closing costs are the most misunderstood part of any real estate transaction. They can add tens of thousands of dollars to what you thought you were paying, and if you haven’t planned for them, they can derail your deal at the worst possible time.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer in Great Kills or Eltingville, a move-up buyer in Todt Hill or Grymes Hill, or a homeowner selling in Annadale or Arden Heights, this guide breaks down every closing cost you’ll encounter in 2026 — and shows you exactly how to calculate yours before you commit.

What Are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are the fees and expenses — beyond the purchase price itself — that buyers and sellers pay to finalize a real estate transaction. In New York City, these costs are notoriously higher than the national average due to state and city transfer taxes, attorney fees, title insurance, and mansion tax thresholds that catch more properties every year as prices rise.

On Staten Island, the median home price currently sits at approximately $755,000 as of early 2026, with prices up about 3.4% year-over-year. At that price point, closing costs for a buyer typically range from $22,000 to $38,000, while sellers can expect to pay $35,000 to $55,000 including broker commissions. Those are significant numbers — and getting them wrong can cost you your dream home or slash your net proceeds on a sale.

Closing Costs for Staten Island Buyers in 2026

As a buyer on Staten Island, here’s what you’ll encounter at the closing table:

Mortgage-Related Fees: Your lender will charge an origination fee (typically 0.5%–1% of the loan amount), an appraisal fee ($500–$800 for a Staten Island single-family), and various underwriting and processing fees. With mortgage rates hovering around 6.23% for a 30-year fixed in early 2026, your lender may also require prepaid interest from the closing date through the end of the month.

Title Insurance: New York requires both a lender’s title policy and recommends an owner’s title policy. On a $755,000 purchase, expect to pay $4,000–$6,500 for both policies combined. Title insurance protects you against any claims or liens against the property that weren’t discovered during the title search.

Attorney Fees: Real estate transactions in New York require an attorney for both sides. Buyer attorney fees on Staten Island typically run $2,500–$4,000. Your attorney reviews the contract, handles the title search, and represents you at closing.

Mansion Tax: If your purchase price is $1 million or more, you’ll owe New York State’s mansion tax, which starts at 1% and increases on a graduated scale. With median prices at $755K on Staten Island, many buyers avoid this — but if you’re purchasing in premium neighborhoods like Todt Hill, this is a real cost to plan for.

Recording Fees and Mortgage Recording Tax: New York charges a mortgage recording tax of 1.8% on mortgages under $500,000 and 1.925% on mortgages of $500,000 or more. On a $600,000 mortgage, that’s roughly $11,550. This is often the single largest closing cost for Staten Island buyers.

Closing Costs for Staten Island Sellers in 2026

Transfer Taxes: Sellers in NYC pay both the New York State transfer tax (0.4% on sales under $3 million) and the NYC transfer tax (1% on sales under $500,000, 1.425% on sales of $500,000 or more). On a $755,000 sale, that’s approximately $3,020 in state tax plus $10,759 in city tax — roughly $13,779 in transfer taxes alone.

Broker Commissions: While commission structures vary, sellers on Staten Island should budget for broker fees as part of their closing cost planning. This is typically the largest single expense for sellers.

Attorney Fees: Seller attorney fees on Staten Island range from $2,000–$3,500. Your attorney prepares the deed, handles payoff letters, resolves title issues, and represents you at closing.

Miscellaneous: Sellers may also owe flip taxes (for co-ops), move-out fees, satisfaction of mortgage filing fees, and any outstanding property tax adjustments.

Calculate Your Exact Closing Costs — Before You Commit

Every transaction is different, and the estimates above are just starting points. The actual number depends on your purchase price, loan amount, property type, and negotiating leverage. That’s exactly why we built the NYC Closing Cost Calculator — a free tool that gives you a personalized estimate in under 60 seconds.

Plug in your numbers and see exactly what you’ll owe at closing, whether you’re buying your first home in New Dorp or selling your family home in Huguenot. No guesswork, no surprises.

How to Reduce Your Closing Costs on Staten Island

Negotiate seller concessions: In today’s market, with homes sitting for an average of 78 days on Staten Island, buyers have more leverage to ask sellers to cover a portion of closing costs. A 2%–3% seller concession can save you $15,000–$22,000.

Shop your title insurance: You’re not required to use the title company your attorney or lender recommends. Getting multiple quotes can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Use first-time buyer programs: If you’re a first-time buyer, programs like HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance and the NYC first-time buyer grants can offset some costs. Check our calculator to see if you qualify for up to $100,000 in assistance.

Time your closing strategically: Closing at the end of the month reduces prepaid interest charges. Closing in early January or July can also align with favorable property tax adjustment periods.

How Staten Island Compares to Brooklyn

Closing costs in Brooklyn follow the same NYC tax structure, but the higher median prices — currently around $1.09 million — mean significantly larger dollar amounts at the closing table. Brooklyn buyers frequently trigger the mansion tax at 1%, which most Staten Island buyers avoid entirely. If you’re comparing the two boroughs and want to see the Brooklyn breakdown, check out our companion post: Understanding NYC Closing Costs in Brooklyn.

For a deeper dive on how the two boroughs compare for buyers, visit our Staten Island vs. Brooklyn comparison guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are closing costs on a $750,000 home on Staten Island?

For a buyer purchasing a $750,000 home with 20% down ($600,000 mortgage), expect total closing costs of roughly $25,000–$35,000, with the mortgage recording tax being the largest single item at approximately $11,550. For sellers at this price point, closing costs excluding broker commissions typically run $16,000–$20,000, primarily driven by NYC and NYS transfer taxes.

Do sellers pay closing costs on Staten Island?

Yes. Sellers in NYC are responsible for NYS transfer tax (0.4%), NYC transfer tax (1%–1.425%), attorney fees, and any outstanding property adjustments. On a typical Staten Island sale, seller closing costs excluding commissions range from $15,000–$25,000.

Can I roll closing costs into my mortgage on Staten Island?

In most cases, you cannot roll closing costs into a conventional mortgage, but you can negotiate seller concessions where the seller credits you for closing costs at the table. Some loan programs, such as VA loans and USDA loans, allow more flexibility with financing closing costs.