What are “All-In” Home-Buying Costs in Utah?

by Emma Romney

When people talk about “all-in” home-buying costs, they usually mean:

The purchase price of the home (what you offer / pay).
The down payment (if financing is used).
Closing costs (everything paid at or before closing, besides the down payment).
Inspections, appraisals, and other due diligence costs.
Prepaid items (taxes, insurance, escrow).
Miscellaneous fees (title, recording, etc.).
Potential extras: moving, repairs, insurance, ongoing taxes/maintenance.

Here’s what these costs look like in Utah, with numbers, percentages, and examples.

Key Cost Components & Typical Amounts in Utah

Here are typical costs for each major component in Utah. Actual amounts will depend on the home’s price, location (such as Salt Lake County versus rural areas), loan type, negotiation, and the condition of the home, among other factors.

Cost Type	What It Covers	Typical Cost / % of Home Price
Down Payment	Usually 3.5-20% (or more), depending on loan type, credit score, and lender requirements.	If home costs $500,000, the down payment might be $17,500 (3.5%) to $100,000 (20%). See homes in Utah averages.
Closing Costs (Buyer)	Includes lender fees (origination, underwriting), title insurance, recording fees, escrow, prepaid taxes/insurance, appraisal, credit check, and other related costs.	Typically, 2% to 5% of the purchase price.
Home Inspection	General home inspection, sometimes additional specialized inspections.	On average, about $400-1000 in Utah. Depending on specialty add-ons such as radon, mold, sewer line, etc.
Appraisal	The lender requires this to confirm the value.	Roughly $500-600.
Prepaid Property Taxes & Insurance	Lenders often require that some portion of property taxes and homeowners’ insurance be prepaid into escrow.	Varies depending on home value, county, and insurance carrier. Hard to generalize — often several hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on timing. (Not always included in the “closing costs” line.)
Title & Recording Fees	Title insurance, recording the deed, and title search.	Title service/title insurance may cost hundreds to low thousands, depending on price; recording fees are smaller (dozens to a few hundred).
Other Fees	Credit report, courier, underwriting, lender points (if applicable), homeowner’s insurance, HOA fees if applicable, inspections (pest, termite, etc.), moving costs, etc.	These can add up; some are fixed (e.g., credit report, $10-$100), while others are variable. For moving, the cost can range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on distance and other factors.

Example: All-In Cost on a Median-Price Utah Home

Let’s walk through a sample to illustrate what someone might expect to pay all-inclusive for a typical home in Utah.

The median home price in Utah is around $530,000.
Down payment (let’s assume 3.5%): $18,550
Closing costs (2.5%): ~ $13,250
Inspection: $400-1000
Appraisal: $500-600
Prepaid taxes & insurance: depends on location/timing; maybe $1,500-$3,000
Title & recording fees: maybe $500-$1,200
Misc (credit report, lender fees, etc.): a few hundred to a couple thousand

So all-in up front cost (excluding moving, repairs, major renovations) might be:

If the down payment is lower (say 3%), it reduces that portion, but closing costs, inspections, and other fees remain roughly the same.

Other Recurring & Hidden Costs to Budget

Even after closing, there are costs that many buyers forget or underestimate:

Property Taxes ‒ Utah has relatively low effective property tax rates.
Homeowners Insurance ‒ annual premiums (varies by house, location, hazard exposures).
HOA Fees, if applicable.
Maintenance, Repairs, and Utilities ‒ upkeep costs, possibly major repairs if the home is older.
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) if your down payment is less than 20%.
Mortgage Payments, including interest.

These don’t go in “cash needed at closing,” but they affect your monthly and yearly budget.

Why Working with a Realtor Helps

Since you asked, here are ways having a good realtor can save you money / reduce surprises:

Accurate estimates: A local realtor knows the real closing costs, fees, and taxes in your county/zip. That means the forecast will be much more precise.
Negotiation leverage: Realtors can negotiate seller concessions (e.g., seller pays some closing costs).
Guiding inspections & appraisals: They can recommend trustworthy inspectors/appraisers, and help avoid overpaying.
Avoiding costly mistakes: Missing a required inspection, mishandling paperwork, underestimating property taxes, or failing to plan for future maintenance can result in thousands of dollars in expenses.
Counting ongoing costs: A realtor can help you budget for insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance so you don’t overextend yourself.

Summing Up: What “All-In” Means in Utah

For most buyers in Utah, expect closing costs, inspections, prepaid taxes/insurance, title fees, and other expenses to add 2-5% to the home price, in addition to your down payment.
The down payment will often be the most significant chunk (unless paying cash).
“Cash needed at closing” will include the down payment, closing costs, and any due diligence costs (such as inspections and appraisals).

So, if you’re looking at a $500,000 home, a safe estimate for the total upfront cost (excluding major renovations or moving) is around $60,000-$80,000+, depending on the down payment amount and the number of extras you have.

Final Thoughts

Buying a home in Utah is more than just the list price. The “all-in” costs can catch many buyers off guard if they don’t budget for closing fees, inspections, prepaid taxes & insurance, title/recording, and miscellaneous items. Working with a knowledgeable and local realtor can help you:

get reliable estimates for your specific house & location,
avoid unnecessary fees,
negotiate seller contributions, and
make sure there are no surprises at closing.

If you’re serious about buying in Utah, let’s chat. I am a trusted local realtor who can run the numbers for your target area and price point — so you know exactly how much you’ll need for a down payment and all-in costs.

Sources

Bankrate “Closing Costs in Utah: Who Pays For What?” — (Utah average and breakdowns)
Houzeo “How Much Are Closing Costs in Utah?”
Houzeo “How Much Is a Home Appraisal in Utah in 2025?”
Kranstover Appraisal “Appraisal Costs | Utah Real Estate Appraisal Fees” — (local fee schedules)
Houzeo “How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost in Utah in 2025?” — (inspection cost ranges)
Inspectup “Home Inspection Cost in Utah” — (sample inspection pricing)
Finder “Closing costs in Utah” — (average closing cost and percentage)
American Family Insurance “How Much Are Home Appraisal & Inspection Costs?” — (national averages of inspection/appraisal)