To Help Buyer Clients: Common Closing Costs for Buyers
The lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs. A
check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier's check.
The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the
required amount for:
- Down payment
- Loan origination fees
- Points, or loan discount fees you pay to receive a lower interest rate
- Appraisal fee
- Credit report
- Private mortgage insurance premium
- Insurance escrow for homeowners insurance, if being paid as part of the
mortgage
- Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of the mortgage. Lenders keep
funds for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the
mortgage, then pay the insurance or taxes for you.
- Deed recording fees
- Title insurance policy premiums
- Survey
- Inspection fees?building inspection, termites, etc.
- Notary fees
- Prorations for your share of costs such as utility bills and property
taxes.
A Note About Prorations
Because such costs are usually
paid on either a monthly or yearly basis, you might have to pay a bill for
services used by the sellers before they moved. Proration is a way for the
sellers to pay you back or for you to pay them for bills they may have paid in
advance. For example, the gas company usually sends a bill each month for the
gas used during the previous month. But assume you buy the home on the 6th of
the month. You would owe the gas company for only the days from the 6th to the
end for the month. The seller would owe for the first 5 days. The bill would
be prorated for the number of days in the month, and then each person would
be
responsible for the days of his or her ownership.
What to Keep from Your Closing
The Real Estate
Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) statement. This form, sometimes called a HUD 1
statement, itemizes all the costs associated with the closing. You'll need for
income tax purposes and when you sell the home.
- The Truth in Lending Statement summarizes the terms of your mortgage loan.
- The mortgage and the note (two pieces of paper) spell out the legal terms
of your mortgage obligation and the agreed-upon repayment terms.
- The deed transfers ownership of the property to you.
- Affidavits swearing to various statements by either party. For example,
the sellers will often sign an affidavit stating that they have not incurred
any liens on the property.
- Riders are amendments to the sales contract that affect your rights. For
example, if you buy a condominium, you may have a rider outline the condo
association's rules and restrictions.
- Insurance policies provide a record and proof of your coverage.
Reprinted with permission from REALTOR Magazine Online. Copyright by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF REALTORS. All rights reserved. [ Back ] |
REALTOR®- Broker Associate

Tracy Banks
Office: 252-261-1266 ext.31
Toll Free: 866-453-3634
Cell: 252-207-5273
Fax: 252-261-0334
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BD&A
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1211 Duck Rd
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