Georgia home buyers pay some of the highest closing costs in the country

Things are tough all over for home buyers in Georgia.

Not only is there a shortage of available homes for sale , but if you can actually find a home to buy, you are likely to be hit with some of the highest closing costs in the country.

Georgia has the seventh-highest closing costs compared to other states according to a new Bankrate.com survey.

Bankrate surveyed up to 10 lenders in the 50 states and Washington, D.C. obtaining loan estimates for a $200,000 mortgage to buy a single-family home with 20 percent down.

Closing costs in Georgia average $2,303 on a $200,000 loan (with $1,155 origination and $1,148 third-party). That’s higher than the national average of $2,128.

Hawaii ranked highest with average closing costs of $2,655 and Pennsylvania was the lowest at $1,837.

Holden Lewis, senior mortgage analyst for Bankrate.com said improved mortgage disclosures instituted in October have resulted in more accurate closing costs estimates.

"This is great for consumers who can now comparison shop with more confidence," he said.