If you are buying or selling in The Gulch, the line items for transfer taxes and recording fees on your Closing Disclosure can raise questions. You want to know what each charge covers, who pays, and how to plan your cash to close with confidence. In this guide, you will learn how Tennessee and Davidson County handle transfer and recording charges, how they are calculated, who typically pays in Nashville, and where these items show up on your settlement statement. Let’s dive in.
What these fees cover
Understanding the categories will help you read your HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure with ease.
- Transfer or conveyance taxes: Taxes assessed on the transfer of ownership when the deed changes hands. In Tennessee, you will see these grouped as transfer taxes or excise taxes on the settlement statement.
- Recording fees: Charges from the Davidson County Register of Deeds to record documents such as the deed, deed of trust (mortgage), assignments, releases, or plats.
- Mortgage-related recording: Fees to record a new mortgage or deed of trust. In Tennessee, many closings include mortgage recording fees without a separate intangible or mortgage tax. Confirm for your transaction date with your title company.
- Other government charges: Possible fees for plats, certified copies, indexing, or local surcharges. In The Gulch, confirm whether any Metro Nashville assessments apply to your property.
Who typically pays in The Gulch
Local custom in The Gulch and across Davidson County often allocates costs as follows:
- Transfer tax: Typically a seller expense by local custom, but this is negotiable. Your purchase agreement controls.
- Recording the buyer’s deed and mortgage: Commonly a buyer expense. Lender-related recording charges usually appear on the buyer side.
- Releasing the seller’s mortgage: If the seller has a loan to pay off, the fee to record the satisfaction or release is normally on the seller side.
Always review your contract language. Many Nashville contracts either specify who pays or state that costs follow “customary and usual” practice. Your closer will set up the Closing Disclosure to match your agreement.
How fees are calculated
You will not see a one-size-fits-all total. Each charge is calculated based on the document and the consideration for the sale, then itemized on your settlement statement.
Transfer tax calculation
Transfer or excise taxes typically follow a rate applied to the consideration for the deed. On the Closing Disclosure, you might see a notation similar to: “Transfer Tax on $[sale price] = $[amount].” The settlement agent calculates the taxable base and applies the Tennessee statutory rate. Confirm current rates with your title company or the Tennessee Department of Revenue before you set budgets.
Recording fee calculation
Recording fees from the Davidson County Register of Deeds generally combine:
- A base fee per instrument.
- A per-page charge for additional pages.
- Any indexing or certification fees if you request certified copies.
Expect separate entries for each instrument. For example, “Recording — Deed” and “Recording — Deed of Trust.” If a plat or complex easement is involved, additional processing or page fees can apply.
Mortgage and payoff recording
If the buyer uses a mortgage, the Closing Disclosure usually shows “Recording — Deed of Trust” on the buyer side. If the seller has a loan to pay off, the disclosure will show a fee for recording the release or satisfaction, commonly on the seller side. Title companies collect and remit these amounts to the Register of Deeds.
Where fees appear on your Closing Disclosure
These items typically live under the “Closing Costs” section on the page that lists “Government recording and transfer charges.” You may also see them grouped as part of overall government fees.
Common line labels include:
- Transfer taxes or Real estate transfer tax
- Recording — Deed
- Recording — Mortgage or Recording — Deed of Trust
- Other government fees (plats, certified copies, assignments)
If you are using an older HUD-1 format, transfer taxes appear under the seller section and recording charges are listed for each instrument on the applicable side.
Gulch-specific considerations
The Gulch sits within the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. That means:
- Metro-level checks: Ask your title company if any Metro Nashville or district assessments apply to your property type or building.
- Condo and high-rise norms: Closings for Gulch condos often involve multiple recorded documents, such as the deed, deed of trust, and any needed assignments. Expect itemized recording entries.
- E-recording availability: Davidson County supports e-recording. While faster than in-person submission, processing windows can still affect timing on final confirmations.
Timing and possible adjustments
Recording times depend on county workload and whether your closer uses e-recording. If a document requires extra review, such as a plat or complex easement, recording may delay final posting. Title companies typically collect exact fees and remit to the county. If the final recorded page count changes the total, your closer will issue a small refund or invoice after closing.
Your pre-closing checklist
Use this quick list to reduce surprises and keep your Gulch closing on track:
- Ask your title company for a preliminary estimate of transfer tax and recording fees once you have the parcel ID, legal description, and sale price.
- If you are financing, request the lender’s estimate for document recording charges.
- Confirm whether any Metro Nashville or district assessments apply to the address.
- Provide the closer with copies of existing mortgages and anticipated instruments to be recorded at closing.
- Review your purchase agreement to confirm who pays each government charge.
- Before final signing, verify the “Government recording and transfer charges” section line by line on your Closing Disclosure.
After closing: what you should receive
Once recorded, the deed and other instruments become part of the public record. Your title company will confirm that recording is complete and provide recorded document numbers or copies when available. Keep these with your closing package for future refinance, resale, or tax planning.
How Sam Gray Real Estate supports you
You deserve a smooth, predictable closing. Our team coordinates early with your title company and lender to request itemized estimates for transfer taxes and recording fees, clarifies who pays each line based on your contract, and reviews your Closing Disclosure with you before you sign. For sellers, we help align payoff and release recording so proceeds are cleanly disbursed. For buyers, we make sure deed and mortgage recording charges are accurate and complete.
Ready to bring clarity to your Gulch closing? Schedule a consultation with Sam Gray Real Estate to get a personalized estimate and a white-glove plan for your next move.
FAQs
Who pays Tennessee transfer tax in Gulch closings?
- By local custom in Nashville and Davidson County, the seller typically pays the transfer or conveyance tax, but this is negotiable and should be stated in your purchase contract.
How are recording fees calculated for Davidson County?
- Recording fees usually include a base fee per instrument plus a per-page charge and any indexing or certified copy fees. Each recorded document appears as a separate line.
What shows on the Closing Disclosure for these charges?
- Look under “Government recording and transfer charges.” You should see lines for transfer taxes and for each recording item such as “Recording — Deed” and “Recording — Deed of Trust.”
Are transfer taxes and recording fees the same thing?
- No. Transfer taxes are taxes on the conveyance of real property. Recording fees are administrative charges paid to the county to place documents into the public record.
Can I estimate these charges before I go under contract?
- Yes. Your title company can estimate transfer taxes and recording fees with your property details and anticipated instruments. Your lender can estimate loan-related recording charges.
Are there Gulch-specific fees I should know about?
- Possibly. Because The Gulch is within Metro Nashville and Davidson County, confirm with your title company whether any district assessments or Metro-level fees apply to your property.
