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10 Closing Costs You Need To Know When Buying A Home

johnny • March 14, 2019
Getting hit with unexpected costs on the closing of your home is never fun especially when you haven’t budgeted for them. Surprises are great but not when it comes to your finances & budget. We’ve listed the top closing costs to keep in mind when looking to buy a home.

1 Land transfer tax.

When a home changes hands, many provinces and a few municipalities like Toronto charge a property transfer tax or title transfer fee. Rates are usually on a scale of 0.5% to 2% of the home’s value and can add thousands to your purchase price. First-time home buyers qualify for rebates or exemptions in some provinces. Our land transfer tax calculator can give you an exact dollar amount of the land transfer tax that you will need to pay on closing of your new home.

2 Appraisal fee.

Your lender may ask you to have a home appraised to confirm its market value. Costs begin at $300 and can be up to $500, depending on the location of the property.

3 Legal fees.

A lawyer will help protect your interests by reviewing your purchase agreement, searching the property title, the status certificate if it’s a condo and ensuring that all documents are completed properly. Basic legal fees start between $600 and $800, plus disbursements, with added services as needed.

4 Home inspection.

An inspection can help make you aware of issues related to a house’s structure and systems, such as plumbing, electrical, insulation & the presence of any harmful mold / UFFI and recommended or necessary repairs. Fees range from about $350 to $450. If you are looking for a good inspection company visit our friends at Rock Solid Home Inspections and let them know we sent you!

5 Home/fire insurance.

Your lender will require proof that the property is insured in case of fire and other damage to protect their investment. Insurance costs vary, depending on the coverage needed, but budget for at least $500 a year. Need to review your insurance or get a quote on insurance? Check out our partnership with Nuera insurance here

6 Costs for newly constructed homes.

If you’re buying a brand-new home, be prepared to settle any items not quoted in the original price, including upgrades or paving and landscaping fees. New homes are also subject to 5% GST or 13% HST, although this is often included in your purchase price. A federal rebate reduces the GST or the federal part of the HST to about 3.5% for homes valued at $350,000 or less.

7 Prepaid costs or new hook up costs.

If the seller has paid property taxes, water bills, or utilities in advance, you’ll need to reimburse these at closing. This can add hundreds to your upfront costs, but means these bills will be paid for your first months in your new home. If this is your first home and you’ve never paid for utilities before be prepared for set up fees & deposits for hydro, gas, water & cable.

8 Tax on mortgage insurance.

If you have less than a 20% down payment, your lender will require that you obtain mortgage default insurance. You can roll the cost into your mortgage payments, but the PST is due at closing. For example, if your mortgage insurance is $5,000 and the PST is 8%, you’ll pay $400.

For more on Mortgage Insurance, see our blog What is “Mortgage Insurance” and How Does It Benefit YOU?

9 Title insurance.

Title insurance can safeguard you against fraud and problems with your property title or survey. Fees range from $150 to $350 and is mandatory by all lenders.

10 Moving-in costs.

Before the big day, budget for all those last minute things: $100 or more to rent a van or a few hundred for professional movers, $50 to $60 for a locksmith to change your locks, and cleaning supplies. Don’t forget the beer & pizza for the friends that helps as well! Such incidentals can easily come to $500 or more.

Keep in mind that these are just the basic closing costs when it comes to purchasing a home, if you are selling your existing home you can also expect to pay Realtor fees, breakage penalties on your existing mortgage if you aren’t porting, bridging costs for your down payment & any repairs the new owners have requested.

  11 Interim Tax Bill

You may be responsible for the existing tax bill on the property that you purchase. This could be as high as half your annual property taxes (i.e. if the annual property taxes is $5000 per year, you may be responsible for $2500) The exact amount will be known by the lawyer at closing. Contact your lawyer to get actual fees.
James Loewen is Best Mortgage Broker
James Loewen
mortgage-broker-canada
By james loewen November 21, 2024
Top Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mortgage Broker in Canada In Canada, buying a house can be exciting yet daunting, especially when thinking of the best mortgage to choose. One of the best ways to make this process easier is by engaging an experienced mortgage broker in Canada. These are professionals who work by connecting you to lenders so that you can find the best loan option available for you. Their vast knowledge of the mortgage sector enables them to help you get the best offers possible. But how do you go about choosing the right mortgage broker from the many available? Factors to Consider When Choosing Mortgage Brokers: Looking to choose mortgage broker? Here are the factors to consider: 1. Experience and Expertise In terms of mortgage broker factors , choosing a mortgage broker, the first important aspect to examine is their experience. This is because the Canadian mortgage sector is quite multifaceted with many laws, rules, and lender union characteristics. An experienced broker is likely well versed in these intricacies and will provide such advice depending on individual financial capabilities. Ask for how long they have been in the business and how many clients they have successfully assisted. Also, a seasoned mortgage loan officer usually has established relationships with many lenders, which in turn will offer better options for you. Most of the time, even more useful information will be when a mortgage broker works in a particular niche. For example, first time home buyer Burlington or the local property market of Hamilton or Milton would be niches where the expertise will come in handy. Need help to choose the best mortgage broker in Canada? Contact us at Loewen Group to get mortgage broker tips and services. Call (289) 337-4029 or start here . 2. Range of Lenders and Products An adept mortgage brokerage firm must have access to several lenders as well as different mortgage options. It is because mortgage broker in Hamilton are on good terms not only with banks and credit unions but also with private lending firms, so they will definitely help in finding the most suitable loan according to the client’s needs as well as their financial capabilities. Also, it is more likely that favorable terms for the loan and adequate interest rates are available when a broker has contacts with several lenders instead of one or two. Ask the broker what type of lenders they work with. Brokers with a larger network tend to be able to provide more options than those who are limited to a few lenders. Be sure also to ask if they have such product capabilities or that they have worked with certain types of lenders. 3. Reputation and Reviews Research and analyze the feedback on the best mortgage broker in Canada. Look for online appraisals on Google, social networks, and other further sites, as well as testimonies of their previous clients. An ideal mortgage broker will always have great reviews from clients who appreciate the broker’s skill and results. If family members, friends, or coworkers have ever used the services of a specific broker and were pleased with the outcome, do not hesitate to request contacts. It is more likely that a trustworthy and reputable mortgage broker in Hamilton, Milton, or Burlington will provide great service and navigate you through the mortgage process seamlessly. 4. Knowledge of Government Programs and Incentives Canada has many programs designed to help young starters, in particular first-time homebuyers. A good broker would know these plans and help you make use of those available to you. For instance, should you be purchasing in Burlington, Hamilton, or Milton, they may know of local initiatives in Ontario such as the Home Buyers’ Plan HBP or even the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. Ask the potential brokers if they are aware of the schemes and if they have helped clients to access them in the past. You can save on expenses and eschew difficulties in buying a home by engaging the services of a broker who is knowledgeable about government support programs. 5. Local Market Knowledge Market research at the local level can considerably impact one’s decision on acquiring a property. Be it Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, or any other area, a mortgage broker Milton with extensive experience in the given region will be aware of the community features, range of the properties, and prevailing tendencies that affect the mortgage or home buying schedule. He or she probably has turned into contacts with banks, appraisers, and real estate agents, thus further shortening the time frame.  Conclusion A crucial first step in the home-buying process is selecting the appropriate mortgage broker Burlington . You may discover a broker who meets your demands and will strive to get you the best mortgage by taking into account elements like experience, reputation, variety of lenders, customer service, and local knowledge. Taking the time to do your homework and make an informed decision can make all the difference, whether you're a first-time purchaser in Burlington, searching for the finest mortgage broker tips, or considering your alternatives in Milton. A knowledgeable, experienced broker will help you comprehend your alternatives, walk you through the mortgage process, and make sure your mortgage fits your long-term financial objectives.
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