Buyers need to reserve the equivalent of about 2 percent to 5 percent of a home’s purchase price for closing costs, such as appraisal, lender, and title fees. But that’s only a portion of extra homeownership expenses.
Nearly half of home shoppers say they faced more than $2,000 in unexpected charges during the homebuying process, according to a survey by TD Bank. Ten percent spent at least $5,000 more than they originally expected. So make sure your clients are aware of these extra expenses.
Home inspection fee. Home buyers will want to have the home evaluated by an inspector prior to closing, which may cost about $300 to $500. If any problems are detected, they also might need to hire a specialist for further investigation.
Extra cash at closing. Many lenders require purchasers to pay a year’s worth of taxes or the equivalent percentage of the mortgage upfront. The seller may have prepaid any taxes or homeowners association fees, which means the buyer will then have to pay the seller a prorated amount for the remainder of the quarter or year. “Once you’re done with all the fees and the deposits for reserves, you may end up bringing many more thousands of dollars than you thought to the closing,” says Keith Gumbinger, vice president of mortgage website HSH.com.
Moving costs. Professional movers often cost a few thousand dollars. CNNMoney recommends gathering several quotes from companies and making sure to hire someone who is licensed by the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Immediate costs. Encourage your clients to set up an emergency savings account with at least six months of expenses in the case of unexpected events such as a leaky roof or a broken water heater.
Source: “4 Costs You Haven’t Factored in Your Homebuying Budget,” CNNMoney (June 26, 2017)
