Alvear Homes, a bilingual real estate agency serving the Charlotte metro and Fort Mill, S.C., has released a free guide titled “Closing Costs in NC vs. SC in 2026: Who Pays What?”

The Charlotte region is one of the few major U.S. metro areas where buyers can easily choose between two states. Many families compare homes in Charlotte, Matthews, and Huntersville with homes in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and Indian Land. The new guide helps them understand how closing costs compare on each side of the state line.

According to the guide, buyers in both states typically budget about 2% to 5% of the purchase price for total closing costs. That covers lender fees, title, attorney fees, and prepaid taxes and insurance. The biggest built-in difference is the state transfer charge:

North Carolina: an excise tax of $1 per $500 of the sale price, or about $820 on a $410,000 home.
South Carolina: a deed recording fee of $1.85 per $500, or about $1,517 on the same home.

The guide also explains other key differences:

North Carolina’s due diligence fee
South Carolina’s 4% owner-occupied property tax assessment, which buyers must apply for after closing
How property tax prorations work in each state

It includes a step-by-step cash-to-close example, common closing-day surprises, and 10 practical ways to lower closing costs.

“Closing costs shouldn’t be a surprise at the closing table,” said [Sandy Alvear], co-founder of Alvear Homes. “We want every buyer and seller to understand their numbers before they sign, whether they’re buying in North Carolina or South Carolina, and in English or Spanish.”

The full guide is available at:
https://alvearhomes.com/blogs/closing-costs-nc-vs-sc-2026.html