Sellers: As we hammer out your transaction, I'll not only work to get the optimal sales price, but I'll also campaign for reduced closing costs. And once we've reached an agreement, I'll describe in detail the closing costs so you are aware of exactly what you're paying for.

Buyers: If you're buying a property in Durham, you will get a "Good Faith Estimate" (GFE) of closing costs within three days of submitting your loan application. The estimate is based on the loan officer's previous experience and is required to be within an acceptable range so you're not stunned when you arrive at the closing table. I'll be happy to look through the GFE with you, answering your questions and highlighting any estimates that appear to be out of the ordinary.