Who Pays What — A Guide to Closing Costs
A lot of people find the cost of selling or buying a home confusing. It is in a lot of ways since a lot of what you can pay as a buyer or seller is contract related. Below is a list of things as a seller and a buyer that you may be expected to pay for. Take these to your agents and make sure you understand what your part of the transaction is going to be paying for!
The SELLER can generally be expected to pay for:
- Real Estate Commission
- Document preparation fee for Deed
- Document transfer tax ($1.10 per $1,000.00 of sales price)
- Any City Transfer/Conveyance Tax (according to contract)
- Any loan fees required by buyer’s lender
- Payoff of all loans in seller’s name (or existing loan balance if being assumed by buyer)
- Interest accrued to lender being paid off, Statement Fees, Re-conveyance Fees and any Prepayment Penalties
- Termite Inspection (according to contract)
- Termite Work (according to contract)
- Home Warranty (according to contract)
- Any judgments, tax liens, etc. against the seller
- Recording charges to clear all documents of record against seller
- Tax pro-ration (for any taxes unpaid at time of transfer of title)
- Any unpaid Homeowner’s dues
- Any bonds or assessments (according to contract)
- Any and all delinquent taxes
- Notary Fees
The BUYER can generally be expected to pay for:
- Title insurance premiums
- Escrow Fee
- Document preparation (if applicable)
- Notary Fees
- Recording charges for all documents in buyer’s names
- Termite Inspection (according to contract)
- Tax pro-ration (from date of acquisition)
- Homeowner’s transfer fee
- All new loan charges (except those required by lender for seller to pay)
- Interest on new loan from date of funding to 30 days prior to first payment date
- Assumption/Change of Records fees for takeover of existing loan
- Beneficiary Statement Fee for assumption of existing loan
- Inspection Fees (roofing, property inspection, geological, etc.)
- Home Warranty (according to contract)
- City Transfer/Conveyance Tax (according to contract)
- Fire Insurance Premium for first year
It’s important to know what to look for when you’re on either side of the transaction!
This information is provided by North American Title Company. Check out www.nat.com for more.
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A Note on the New FHA Rules
The Federal Housing Administration has announced major changes to its program. The agency will increase the amount of upfront cash paid by new borrowers and require higher down payments from those with the poorest credit.
Upfront insurance premiums paid at the closing table will increase to 2.25% of the loan value, but buyers will be able to finance the premiums. Borrowers with credit scores below 580 will be required to put at least 10% down. Home buyers with higher scores will still be allowed to put down as little as 3.5%. FHA also plans to reduce seller concessions from 6 to 3% of the home’s value.
These policy changes come on the heels of FHA’s announcement in Oct. 2009 that its capital reserve fund had fallen below the congressionally mandated level of 2%. Lawmakers believe these changes will help ensure the agency’s financial soundness and fulfill its mission of serving borrowers not adequately served by the private sector.
Since August 2008 equity lines used as second mortgages and traditional second mortgages have become almost non-existent. Buyers without at least 20% down have turned to FHA financing as their only choice. The upfront costs at closing are high and private mortgage insurance is required. But, a large percentage of buyers are thrilled with this option providing financing to purchase at an optimum time.
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