|
| |
Real Estate Options: The Best Kept Money Making Secret
Real estate investing is currently a very hot topic because of the increasing property values and the number of investors who are looking for a safer alternative to the stock market. In the last 10 years, stock investors lost trillions of dollars in the ...
Selling A Millionaire Home And Keeping It A Secret!
Selling a millionaire home is hugely different than selling any other type of real estate. Many owners quite rightly so do not want Luxury home window shoppers trampling over the marble floors of their luxury homes. Millionaire home owners by there very ...
Where Are The Really Good Real Estate Investment Deals?
In writing my last article about the neighborhoods where I find the most profitable rehab real estate investment deals, something occurred to me. In that article I described investing from what I've found is typical in doing this business. I wrote about ...
|
|
|
|
| |
Home buyer's who purchase a home without a real estate agent (or sometimes purchase through an inexperienced agent) can find out too late they don't have enough money to close and move.
10 most overlooked costs home buyers miss:
1.) Property Taxes and Assessments
Home buyers often need to set up an escrow account with the new mortgage lender. This means that they must pay a portion of taxes upfront. In some states, the seller has already paid the local taxes and this amount must be paid back to the seller at closing. Also, some counties have transfer taxes whenever a property changes hands.
2.) Insurance
Fire insurance or a homeowner’s insurance policy usually needs to be paid for up front. Although you may be able to get an insurance binder from your company on a payment plan, most mortgage companies require the first year paid during escrow or closing.
3.) Appraisal Fees
Mortgage lenders require appraisals to make sure your property covers your loan amount plus their investment risk. The buyer normally pays between $150-$450 to the appraiser.
4.) Survey Fees
Some lenders require a property survey. You may also want a survey if the property lines are in question. Survey fees vary from $600-$2,500, or more for large parcels.
5.) Septic System Certification
If your new property does not connect to public sewers, you may need a septic clearance for your lender. Often the home seller pays this cost, but you want to make sure you get no hidden charges or surprises.
6.) Water Quality Certification
The same holds true for properties with a well and not public water service. For your own piece of mind, you will want to check the water quality and have this clause as a condition in your purchase contract. Not only do you want to make sure the water quality passes, you want to make sure the well has plenty of flow so you don't run out of water.
7.) Miscellaneous Origination and
Loan Fees
Your mortgage lender adds fees for processing your loan, document preparation, underwriting, closing, funding, and sometimes "garbage fees." Check your estimated costs statements and look for hidden fees. Before committing to a lender, shop for your best loan and compare lender's costs.
8.) Association and Maintenance Fees
Most buyers understand that a condo comes with association fees. However, some housing developments also charge maintenance fees. Don't assume that the fees will be nominal. Many condos in California have association fees over $400 per month. Some of these fees need to be paid annually, which means a home buyer needs to pay upfront.
9.) Utility Service Fees
Check your hook up and installation fees for water, gas, electricity, cable or satellite TV, phone, trash, sewer and other services. Sometimes the water department covers the sewer and trash service. These fees quickly add up and you don't want any surprises like a $340 water deposit required by some companies.
10.) Moving Costs
Plan your move before committing to a purchase. Know whether you can move yourself or need to hire professional movers. You may be shocked to find out the costs involved. Ask for referrals of clients and check out moving companies. Prices for truck rental and moving companies vary.
Make sure you have all your purchase and moving costs covered before you make an offer to purchase a home. You don't want to find out when it's too late that you need more money.
Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
SF's diverse real estate frenzy expected to lastSan Francisco ChronicleHow much hotter is the San Francisco real estate market getting? Let us count the ways. -- Office buildings: The 33-story tower at 555 Mission St. is in escrow. Reported price: $450 million. That's about $800 per square foot - the highest figure since ...and more » |
|
Commercial real estate services expanding in USReutersBy Ilaina Jonas | NEW YORK (Reuters) - New commercial real estate brokerages are launching in the United States, in what may be a sign that the market's recovery is durable. Australia's UGL Ltd (UGL.AX), a huge property manager, plans to expand in the ...and more » |
|
