NY Tops List 4th Year In A Row For High Costs

For the second straight year, New York, Texas and Florida are the most expensive states in which to get a mortgage, according to Bankrate's annual survey of closing costs.

New York tops the list for the fourth year in a row for two reasons. First, origination fees are swollen by taxes that the state levies directly on lenders, which are passed along to consumers. Second, lawyers customarily conduct closings in New York. Many closings are attended by at least three attorneys (for the buyer, seller and lender). In some other states, especially in the West, closings are conducted by title agents and escrow officers who charge less than lawyers.