Be Prepared for Closing Costs
Saving for a down payment in preparation for buying a new home is pretty
common knowledge. With the mortgage meltdown, most mortgages that allowed
zero down payments disappeared. While FHA and VA loans still offer little to no
money down, most potential homebuyers will need to save at least 3-20% of the
home value.
Unfortunately, many first-time homebuyers are dismayed to learn that in addition
to the down payment, they also owe thousands of dollars in closing costs
that they might not have expected. The national average for closing costs ranges
from 2-4% of the purchase price, which adds to the amount of
savings needed to buy a home. In addition, while not a closing cost, most lenders
also require a savings reserve equal to at least two months of the mortgage
payment. Needless to say, it adds up. Let’s break these costs down.
Closing costs include fees charged by the escrow or closing attorney, as well as
costs associated with obtaining a home loan, including:
• Escrow fees
• Title search and filing fees
• Appraisal fees
• Home inspection fees
• Wire transfer fees
• Loan costs – These include what are termed “points”; each point is 1% of
the purchase price and is used as both commission for the lending officer
and as an upfront fee to reduce the loan interest rate.
These are just a few of the extra costs associate with buying and closing on a
new home. It’s important to know these costs ahead of time, so potential
homebuyers can save the appropriate amount of money needed to buy a
home. Nobody wants to be surprised by unexpected costs and and end up
missing out on the perfect property.
Contact me to discuss cost associated with buying a home in more detail.