Florida county guide
Holmes County real estate: closing costs, taxes and market data
What it costs to buy and sell a home in Holmes County, Florida, with the state's own formulas and the latest market figures.
Market snapshot
Holmes County is a rural county in the Florida Panhandle with 19,653 residents at the 2020 census, and Bonifay is the county seat. Redfin data shows a median sale price of $279,066 for all home types in August 2026, up 16.3% from a year earlier. Asking prices in the county's small towns, including Bonifay, Esto and Ponce de Leon, are often below the county median.
Main cities: Bonifay, Ponce de Leon, Esto, Noma, Westville
Closing costs at common prices
| Sale price | Deed doc stamps | Owner's title policy | Note doc stamps + intangible tax (80% loan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $1,750 | $1,325 | $1,100 |
| $280,000 | $1,960 | $1,475 | $1,232 |
| $500,000 | $3,500 | $2,575 | $2,200 |
| $750,000 | $5,250 | $3,825 | $3,300 |
Deed doc stamps are $0.70 per $100 of the price and are normally paid by the seller. In Holmes County the seller customarily pays the owner's title policy, at Florida's promulgated rate. Buyers with a loan also pay $0.35 per $100 on the note and 0.2% intangible tax. Property tax uses the county's typical millage less the $50,000 homestead exemption, so it's an estimate; check the property appraiser for any parcel.
Flood risk
Holmes County is inland, but properties near the Choctawhatchee River and its creeks can fall in FEMA flood zones, so buyers should check the FEMA flood map for a parcel and get flood insurance quotes before closing.
Local offices
Questions agents and buyers ask
- How much are doc stamps in Holmes County?
- On a $279,066 sale, deed doc stamps are about $1,954 ($0.70 per $100 of the price). The seller normally pays them.
- Who pays for title insurance in Holmes County?
- By custom the seller pays for the owner's title policy. At $279,066 it's about $1,475 at Florida's promulgated rate; the contract can say otherwise.
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Sources
- Redfin - Holmes County, FL real estate trends
- Wikipedia - Holmes County, Florida (2020 Census)
- Ballotpedia - Holmes County, Florida (U.S. Census Bureau population)
- Holmes County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
- Holmes County Tax Collector
Market figures researched November 3, 2026.