Closing Practices
California

How are title insurance rates determined in your state? (i.e. filed rate, promulgated rate, etc.)
FILED RATE.
What forms of encumbrance are typically used?  (i.e. mortgages, deeds of trust, etc.)
DEED OF TRUST
Where does the transaction closing typically take place? (i.e. title/escrow company, attorney's office, etc.)
ESCROW COMPANY
When a title order is placed, does the product take the form of a title report or a commitment?  For how long is the product considered to be in effect?
PRELIMINARY REPORT
When is the title report/commitment invoice issued?  (i.e. with commitment, at closing, etc.)
NO CHARGE FOR PRELIMINARY REPORT. INVOICE FOR POLICY IS ISSUED AT CLOSING.
Is there a real estate transfer tax?
YES. $1.00 PER $1,000 PLUS SOME CITIES CHARGE ADDITIONAL TRANSFER TAX THAT VARIES FROM $2 TO $15 PER $1,000.
Is there a state capital gains tax withholding requirement on sale proceeds?
YES, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS, THE PRIMARY ONE BEING AN EXEMPTION WHERE THE PROPERTY IS THE SELLER'S PRIMARY RESIDENCE.
Is there a mortgage tax?
NO.
How are fees typically split?
  - Owner's Policy Premium
SELLER PAYS IN MOST OF STATE. IN SOME AREAS IT IS SPLIT 50/50 BETWEEN BUYER AND SELLER.
  - Loan Policy Premium
BUYER/BORROWER PAYS.
  - Title Search and Exam
NO SEPARATE CHARGE - INCLUDED IN POLICY PREMIUM.
  - Survey charges
SURVEYS ARE RARE WITH RESIDENTIAL. SELLER USUALLY PAYS WHEN NEEDED FOR COMMERCIAL.
  - Real Estate Transfer Tax
SELLER PAYS
  - Closing Fees
SPLIT 50/50
  - Mortgage Fees
BUYER/BORROWER PAYS

What are the recording fees for documents affecting interests in real property?
RECORDING FEES VARY SOMEWHAT FROM COUNTY TO COUNTY. AS AN EXAMPLE, HERE IS SOME INFO COPIED FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER'S WEB SITE:
The basic fee for recording Real Property documents is $9 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. However, deeds are $7 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. A page is one printed side of a single piece of 8-1/2" by 11" paper. Any document presented for recording that does not conform to the 8-1/2" by 11" size, incurs an additional charge of $3 for each page of the entire document to be recorded.
When counting the number of pages, attached acknowledgments by notaries public and certified copies of death certificates are counted as an additional page.
Does your state recognize:
  - a community property system?
YES.
  - homestead (thus requiring joinder by the spouse)?
YES.