Buyer's Costs

25/07/2025 4 min
Buyer's Costs

Listen "Buyer's Costs"

Episode Synopsis

  🔑 Typical Buyer's Costs in a Real Estate Transaction       1. Loan-Related Costs     Origination fee: Charged by the lender for processing the loan (0.5%–1% of loan amount). Credit report fee: $25–$50. Appraisal fee: $300–$600 (paid to confirm the home's market value). Underwriting fee: Charged by the lender for evaluating the loan application. Discount points (optional): Paid to reduce your mortgage interest rate.       2. Title and Escrow Fees     Escrow fee: Charged by the escrow company for handling funds and documents. Title insurance (lender's policy): Protects the lender from title issues. Recording fees: Paid to the county for recording the deed and mortgage.       3. Home-Related Expenses     Home inspection: $250–$500 (optional but strongly recommended). Pest inspection: Often required by lenders (especially VA loans). Survey fee (in some states): Verifies property boundaries.       4. Prepaid Costs (Impounds)     Homeowners insurance premium (first year paid upfront). Property taxes: A portion may need to be prepaid at closing. Prepaid interest: Covers the interest from closing day to the first mortgage payment. Escrow/reserve accounts: Lender may require reserves for taxes and insurance.       5. Other Potential Costs     HOA transfer fees: If buying in a homeowners association. Attorney fees (in states where attorneys handle closings). Courier or wire transfer fees.         💵 How Much Are Buyer's Costs?     Typically range 2%–5% of the home's purchase price. For a $300,000 home, expect $6,000 to $15,000 in buyer's closing costs.         🤝 Can These Costs Be Negotiated?     Yes. Buyers can:   Negotiate with the seller to pay some or all closing costs. Shop lenders for better rates and lower fees. Apply for buyer assistance programs in certain states or localities.     House Keys is brought to you by  Mountain Retreat Realty Experts https://mtnretreatrealty.com