06/28/2023
When purchasing a home it’s important to consider associated costs in addition to the purchase price so you can save and plan accordingly. Below are 5 costs associated with purchasing a single family home:
💰Down Payment: this is the amount you, as a buyer, pay upfront to purchase a home coupled with a mortgage (if not paying in cash). A 20% down payment is ideal as it will allow you to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) and could qualify you for a lower interest rate. But 20% is not the only percentage you can put down- 5%,10% and 15% down are also common. First time homebuyers are more likely to put down between 3-9%.
💰Closing costs: $15k-$25k. This is a cumulative fee you pay to finalize a real estate transaction and can include items such as lender fees, property taxes (in NY you pay your prorated first year of taxes up front at closing), appraisal fees, home insurance, title search fee etc.
💰Ernest money: this amount will represent your commitment or seriousness to purchasing a home. The higher the amount, the more commitment you show to wanting the home. In a sellers market it’s common to see a higher Ernest money deposit than when it’s a buyers market. This deposit can be any amount you decide to put down (1k, 5k, 7k, 10k etc)
💰Inspections: this can cost between $300-$500 depending on the location and the size of the home.
💰Attorney/lender fees: Having an attorney is extremely important and necessary during a real estate transaction. They will review the purchase offer, work with you to obtain the correct documents for a mortgage, get title insurance, attend closings and so much more. This cost can be a few hundred dollars but will vary depending on what attorney you work with. Chelsea Sinclair is my go to and recommended attorney for my clients!