The appraisal has nothing to do with closing costs and makes no reference to them. Your contract for sale and purchase covers that subject. If you requested them in the contract make sure the bank's approval specifically includes them.

I asked the question...this is also a Short Sale property

right.....you have an agent....bank has an agent....don't ask them...what makes you think MY answer is correct....seller pays....third party is the sellers lender that has started foreclosure...

what does your contract say. That is the legal doc you should be using.

So I am clear to close. I am purchasing a short sale. I checked the appraisal and it says $5,500 in closing costs will be paid by a third party(bank,seller etc) on behalf of the buyer. Does that mean the seller etc is covering that much of closing costs??

The purchase price of the home is $132,000 and its located in Minneapolis,MN