Cost of buyer (c.o.b.) is a technical term from the world of real estate and brokerage. When used in advertising it means that all costs associated with the acquisition of  property shall be paid by the buyer. At an asking price “buyer costs” condition means that the buyer’s costs are for the buyer and are not included in the price. If an existing house is offered for sale, the abbreviation c.o.b. stands behind the asking price. The buyer costs usually consists of transfer tax and the costs which the notary fees for the preparation and registration of the deed of transfer.

During negotiations on the price of a property expression can also be used as a metonym: If the buyer requests that the price is reduced by the cost of buyer, he means a sum equivalent to the cost of buyer.