April 17, 2025

4 Strategies to Help Real Estate Investors Shrink Closing Costs

Getting to the closing table can be exhausting and expensive for all real estate investors! It’s easy to go through the motions when your deals are almost over the finish line but finding ways to save during the often-overlooked closing process may impact your financial position.

Don’t miss out on untapped potential for savings at closing. It’s important to educate yourself on ways to help boost your overall returns, especially when dealing with multiple properties or when you’re working to  quickly flip a property. Here are four strategies that may help you save on closing costs:

1. Shop Around

Your first option, or the one you’ve always used, may not always be the best one. Closing costs and fees can often vary greatly from one provider to the next. Don't settle for paying inflated prices, and be sure to compare rates from:

• Mortgage lenders
• Title companies
• Home inspectors
• Insurance providers

Small differences can add up to substantial savings. Radian Settlement Services Inc. offers comprehensive coverage at a competitive price, providing an average of up to 20%* savings on closing costs compared to competitors, helping alleviate some of the financial strain from an investment property.

2. Negotiate Fees

Protecting your margins means carefully managing all expenses—including final transaction costs. While certain closing expenses may be fixed, some associated fees can have flexibility. Timing your closings optimally may also help generate savings. Even modest reductions across multiple expense categories can help improve your investments’ overall profitability. While not guaranteed, it never hurts to ask your providers about potential discounts and other opportunities for savings.

3. Consider Closing Cost Assistance Programs

Many closing cost assistance programs exclude investors or have owner-occupancy requirements, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other opportunities to capitalize on. State and local government-offered programs may be available to help investors, especially in areas targeted for economic development. For example, some states offer the following grant programs:

• Historic Preservation Grants
• Energy Efficiency Programs
• Opportunity Zone Incentives
• Community Development Block Grants

The key to identifying opportunities that work for you is to review program terms and understand your eligibility.

4. Pay Cash if Possible

It may not always be an option, but paying all cash for your investments may help reduce several closing costs. Cash purchases can eliminate or reduce:

• Loan Origination Fees
• Mortgage Application Fees
• Mortgage Insurance Premiums

Though some costs are eliminated, cash buyers may want to still consider paying for certain services, like title insurance or appraisals, for protection.

A Dollar Saved is a Dollar Toward Your Next Investment

Every dollar you save on closing costs is a dollar you can put towards your next big opportunity or renovation. By implementing these four strategies, you may not just cut closing costs but also set yourself up for even greater success.

Don't let closing costs erode your profits; instead, view them as an opportunity to optimize your investments. With careful planning and strategic decision-making, you can turn the closing process into a powerful tool to help maximize your real estate portfolio's profitability.

Who We Are

Radian Title Services includes Radian Title Insurance Inc., a title insurance underwriter, and Radian Settlement Services, Inc., a title agency offering settlement services. We are backed by the Radian Group (NYSE:RDN), a trusted name in the real estate and mortgage industries for over 48 years. Radian Title Services combines financial strength with exceptional customer service. With Radian Group’s impressive $5 billion market cap and over 1,100 employees, investors can rest assured that Radian Title Services has the resources and stability to help protect their investments for the long haul. This backing provides peace of mind that your title insurance and settlement services provider will be there when you need them most. Say goodbye to the headaches from other title and settlement companies and say hello to Radian Title Services.

* Potential savings will vary. Florida: Radian Instant Rebate is consistent with the Butler Rebate as permitted in the Florida Supreme Court decision Chicago Title Insurance Co. v. Butler, 770 So. 2d 1210, 1221, 2000 Fla. LEXIS 2034, *32. All other states:  Annual Premium for basic policy; coverage and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states and situations.   Fees and estimated savings based on national averages of competitor standard rates and/or total closing costs, including closing costs and fees (not premiums alone), on purchase transactions as of December 2024 through a sampling of premiums filed by national and local competitors with relevant regulatory agencies, as compared to Radian rates; estimated savings do not include any permissible deviations from competitors’ standard rates.

©2025 Radian Group Inc. All Rights Reserved. 550 East Swedesford Road, Suite 350, Wayne, PA 19087.   Title insurance is provided and underwritten by Radian Title Insurance Inc., 6100 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 200, Independence, OH 44131; Tel: 800.362.2305, NAIC#: 51632, CA- License# 5093-0. FL – Title insurance license #51632, AZ – Title Insurer 51632 (not licensed in AK, HI, ID, IA, ME, NH, NJ, VT and WY). Title Services are provided by Radian Title Insurance Inc. and Radian Settlement Services Inc., 1000 GSK Drive, Suite 210, Coraopolis, PA 15108, Tel: 800.646.8258, FL- Non-Resident Title Agency #A271379, AZ- Non-Resident Title Agent #1800016008, both subsidiaries of Radian Group Inc. This communication is provided for use by real estate professionals only and is not intended for distribution to consumers or other third parties. This does not constitute an advertisement as defined by Section 1026.2(a)(2) of Regulation Z.