What other upfront costs should I budget beyond the down payment?

Beyond what a lender requires for the loan itself, a buyer should expect a home inspection fee, an appraisal charge, and prepaid homeowner's insurance with initial tax escrow, none of which show up until the closing disclosure lists them alongside the state transfer tax and, if financed, the mortgage note's intangible tax. Moving costs and any immediate repairs sit outside the closing itself but still hit a buyer's budget early. A lender's loan estimate breaks down the exact closing figures for a specific purchase.