Real estate closing costs can quickly add up for the buyer and the seller. Closing costs can include the cost of the land survey, broker’s fees, taxes, attorney’s fees, utility fees, homeowners association fees and inspection fees. The list can be much longer and the amount of the costs will vary widely. Get more information here about various closing costs and real estate transactions.
Expert Real Estate Tips: Estimating Mortgage Fees
Mortgage loan borrowers should expect to pay mortgage fees between 1% and 2% of the mortgage loan amount. Mortgage fees depend on the mortgage loan amount, mortgage loan type, interest rates and when in the month you closed on your home. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more information about mortgage loan fees and how to estimate other costs associated with mortgage loans.
Maintain Property’s Market Value In Property Swap
When you buy property at a reduced cost, will you risk lowering the market value of the property? A home owner asks about buying a property for less than what it's worth and selling his own property for a lower price. It's a good idea to work with an attorney to complete a property swap.
Don’t Be A Victim Of Mortgage Fraud
If you're worried about being a victim of mortgage fraud it helps to be familiar with closing documents. If you know what to look for on these documents you can avert mortgage fraud. Knowing what you're signing can save you money and protect you and your family from mortgage fraud.
Seller Pays Closing Costs
A homeowner who has put his home for sale says his real estate agent suggests that the homeowner pay closing costs. When you've got a home for sale there are many ways to differentiate the home for sale.
Closing Costs May Vary
Closing costs vary for numerous reasons. However, if your lender is quoting you a fee that seems high, you should shop around and compare closing costs from other lenders.
Closing Costs Too High For Many Home Buyers
Mortgage companies have made it difficult, if not impossible, to tell what's a true cost and what's a junk fee. Home buyers are being charged for things that should be included in the profit the lender is making. Lenders have tried to counter the closing cost discussion by introducing mortgages that are "zero closing cost."
Be Careful Using Power Of Attorney For Closings
A buyer could not make it to the closing of his new home and signed a Grant of Authority for the builder to sign the documents. There were many errors along the way and the closing did not happen. Ilyce and Sam explain who should get to have the authority to sign documents if you can't make it to the closing.
Negotiating Closing Costs
Shopping for a new mortgage can be confusing. You should ask what for an itemization of closing costs, because some of them may be negotiable. You may be able to close at the end of the month instead of at the beginning and cut down on your prepaid interest, but this only changes the cash you'll need at the closing and does not reduce your loan fees. Ask the lender to provide you with an estimate and make sure the closing costs are itemized so you can see what you're paying.
Research Overpayment Of Closing Costs
A homeowner purchases a vacation home in another state and has realized that some of the closing costs were paid by both the bank and the escrow company. Now the buyer is wondering if she was double billed, if it was an expensive lesson, or if she can get her money returned. Before the buyer accuses the lender of double-billing, she needs to make sure she understands the closing statement and fees and understands what she paid for at closing and what she paid for prior to closing.
Calculating Buyer Closing Costs
Buyer closing costs can rack up in a hurry. Here's a detailed look at all of the closing costs you might have to pay when you buy a home.
We updated this article June 2009, take a look at the updated closing costs for buyers.