You thought it was just the down payment. You mentally prepared for that number.You saved. You sacrificed. You felt proud. And then someone casually says…“Don’t forget about closing costs.” Cue the internal panic. Here ’s what most first-time buyers don’t realize: Closing costs aren’t some surprise fee designed to ruin your mood. They’re things like lender fees, title work, taxes, insurance, and prepaid items that make the deal official. It’s normal to feel caught off gua