Besides the cost of the deposit and down payment, there are a number of other costs associated with buying a home. These are costs that come up before the closing, at time of closing and after closing (carrying costs).
Before closing some costs could be:
Mortgage Application and Appraisal Fee
Appraisal Fee
Property Inspection (optional)
Property Survey (sometime provided for or paid for by Seller)
Costs at closing include:
Legal Fees
Legal Disbursements
Deed and/or mortgage registration
Land Transfer Tax
Mortgage Interest Adjustment and Take Over Fee (if applicable)
Adjustments for Fuel, Taxes, etc
Mortgage Insurance (and application fee if applicable)
Home and Property Insurance
Connection charges for utilities such as gas, water and electricity
Moving Expenses
Typical monthly costs incurred with home ownership are:
Mortgage Payments
Maintenance
Insurance
Condominium Fees
Property Taxes
Utilities
A good rule of thumb is to account for 1% of the home value per year for maintenance including replacing furnace, air conditioners, windows, roof etc. There may be years where there are relatively low costs for maintenance and other years where these costs can be higher. It seems to work out to be approximately 1% per year over the long run.
Other costs that can arise include landscaping, painting and redecorating, furnishings and appliances, and minor to major repairs that need to be completed. |