Normally in Texas the seller pays for the title policy, the buyer pays for the appraisal, the inspections, the survey..Now this is generally, and there are exceptions to every rule

but your question is like: who usually buys the ring for a marriage proposal?
Generally, the man but I guess it could vary

or who pays for the rehearsal dinner...answer: the groom

so my answer is "generally" that is how it's done..

Either party can pay for the title policy. Depending on the contract you have signed (our TREC contracts split fees) everything in a real estate transaction is negotiable. It is best for you to have whoever is representing you...either your Realtor or Lawyer review the specific contract and let you know who is paying for what...you can lose quite a bit of money this way.

the title company charges you a fee for escrow services...all the things that they have to do to ensure a smooth closing....the sellers typcially cover the title policy cost

In the Katy area, the seller is usually asked to pay the title policy. It's just the way the business is generally done here. Sometimes, the builders selling new construction ask the buyer to pay for it, but in the resale market it is different. If you're selling your existing home, a good guideline is that it will be close to 1% of the sales price. Call me to connect you to a title company that will give you exact numbers. The closing costs are regulated.

My first question is...do you have a Realtor? Here is some advice. The seller usually pays (not always but about 90% of the time). The seller usually picks the Title Company. (we always try to use United Title near LaCenterra Mall in Cinco Ranch...Nancy Fox is the Closer). The Title Policy will cost you just under 1% of the selling price...and it is a regulated amount. The Title Company will also charge you fees for the closing. You can call around to different companies and check the fees...usually they will all be within $100 of each other. A strong closer is very important!

Insist on using a reputable title company in your area. Since you as the property owner are wanting to convey a CLEAR title to the prospective buyer, it is customary for the seller to pay for the title policy at closing. Therefore, the title company used should be your choice. Title companies are regulated to the charges that they can charge. Your can figure the title policy costing just a little over 1% of the sales price of your property. There are some additional charges such as filing fee, attorney prep fees and courier fee (these three things should not amount to more than $650 at ANY title company and most of the time they can be as low as $450.)
Have your agent do an estimated closing cost sheet for you which is a computerized form available to agents either on their MLS server OR through the title companies in the area. These estimations are usually within $150 - $200 of your actual cost. These cost usually vary this much because of the time of closing and the taxes or insurance that you would be responsible for would be different depending on the month and day you close. Remember that you are responsible for taxes and insurance up to and through the date of closing.
I hope this helped to some extent. I am in the North Texas area now. However I use to live and work in Sugar Land. IF you do not have an agent yet, contact Liz Baker, Broker there in Katy @ 21949-D Katy Frwy, Katy, TX, 77450. Her phone number is (713) 824-9044. Tell her that Kathy Fisher from ACTIVE RAIN referred you to her.
Good Luck and God Bless

In my experience title companies don't add a lot of fluff in Texas. Most are pretty competitive. The rates for title insurance are set by law. They are higher in Texas than other places and perhaps there should be some discount for refinancing that isn't there, but I think you'll typically see rates and fees fairly competitively across the companies. You could check with 2 or 3 or 4 for a schedule of fees they expect the seller to pay. Title insurance is a negotiable expense between buyer and seller. In my market area seller normally pays their portion of the title insurance to ensure or insure a good title to the buyer.