01Closing Cost Guide
Which Closing Costs Can You Shop For?
For a standard Loan Estimate, the clearest answer is on page 2. The services listed in Section C, Services You Can Shop For, are the mortgage closing services your lender permits you to shop separately.
Closing Cost Guide
The fastest way to know
Use your Loan Estimate, not a generic checklist.
Closing costs vary by lender, loan, state, property, and transaction. A service that is shoppable in one transaction may not appear the same way in another. Your actual Loan Estimate tells you which required services your lender has placed in Section C.
That is why ClosingCash starts with your document instead of assuming every buyer can shop the same set of fees.
Common examples
Section C often includes third-party closing services.
Title search
A search of public records and title information related to the property.
Lender's title insurance
Coverage protecting the lender's interest when the lender lists the service as shoppable.
Settlement or closing agent
The party coordinating closing or settlement when the lender permits the buyer to shop for that service.
Survey or inspection-related services
Certain required third-party services may appear in Section C depending on the loan and transaction.
These are examples, not a promise that a particular service will appear in Section C of your Loan Estimate.
What you generally cannot shop separately
Section B is different.
Section B of the Loan Estimate is labeled Services You Cannot Shop For. These are third-party services required and selected by the lender. You can compare the overall cost of these services when comparing Loan Estimates from different lenders, but Section B does not give you the same provider-shopping opportunity as Section C.
Learn More About Section CA useful distinction
Shoppable does not mean every provider will work for your loan.
Your lender should provide a written provider list for Section C services. You may also be able to choose another provider, but check with your lender before relying on a provider that is not on that list. The lender may need to agree to work with the provider.
What about owner's title insurance?
Not every buyer choice is a Section C service.
Owner's title insurance is typically shown in Section H of the Loan Estimate rather than Section C. It is different from lender's title insurance and may be optional depending on the transaction. ClosingCash's core Savings Scan is focused on the relevant shoppable services identified in Section C.
How to compare a shoppable service
Do not compare price alone without checking the service.
Same service
Confirm the lower price is for the same or comparable closing service shown on your Loan Estimate.
Same transaction
Make sure the provider can serve your property location, loan timing, and transaction requirements.
Clear total price
Ask what is included and whether there are material conditions, add-ons, or timing limits.
Lender confirmation
Check lender requirements before committing to a provider that still needs lender review.
How ClosingCash helps
Find the shoppable services without decoding every fee yourself.
ClosingCash reviews the relevant Section C services on your Loan Estimate, shows where lower pricing may be worth exploring, and guides you through the comparison before you decide whether to change providers.
Keep reading
Related guides
What Is Section C on a Loan Estimate?
Learn where Section C appears, what Services You Can Shop For means, and why this part of the Loan Estimate matters.
How to Read Section C of Your Loan Estimate
Walk through the service names, estimated charges, provider list, and comparison details that matter when you start shopping.
Can You Choose Your Own Title Company?
Understand when title or closing services may be shoppable and what to confirm before using a provider outside your lender's list.
Page information
Written by Matt Stein, Founder of ClosingCash
Updated
Sources and editorial note
This page provides general educational information. Loan requirements, available services, pricing, provider availability, and lender acceptance can vary by transaction. ClosingCash does not guarantee savings or outcomes.
Read our editorial and corrections policy, or email hello@shopmyclosingcosts.com to suggest a correction.