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Closing costs are the most misunderstood number in a home purchase, and most people meet them for the first time a few days before closing. In this episode, Erika K. Page, a Metro Atlanta real estate agent with 24+ years of experience, explains what closing costs are and how to avoid surprises:

- why closing costs are not your down payment

- the four buckets every fee falls into, and why prepaids aren't really fees

- Georgia's transfer tax and intangible recording tax, in plain English

- who usually pays what, and why it's negotiable every time

- why your number won't match your neighbor's

- earnest money, and title insurance: "the Carfax for your house"

- four habits that keep the closing table calm

Read the article, and get the free Closing Costs 101 guide:

https://erikakpage.com/closing-costs-101

Want to plan your numbers before you fall in love with a house?

https://erikakpage.com/home-value

This episode is narrated with an AI voice trained on Erika's own. The words are hers. The market figures come from the Atlanta REALTORS® Market Brief for July 2026.

Explanatory only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Confirm anything you rely on with your lender, closing attorney or tax professional. Erika K. Page is a licensed Georgia real estate agent with Axen Realty. Equal Housing Opportunity.