Nashon Peter Awuor

The Hidden Costs of Buying A Home Ever wondered what it would mean to move from your current rental building to your own home? The feeling of being in control of what you want your dream home to be; where to put what or what to remove or add. It all feels heaven-sent, right? However, buying a home comes with its share of responsibilities. Then come the hidden costs and fees that you are likely to miss if not careful. Check out these hidden costs of buying a home and how you can avoid incurring extra expenses: 1. Loan Origination Fee The loan origination fees can be a large expense and easily overwhelm you. A loan origination fee is the amount paid to your lender for services rendered towards the loan. It, therefore, varies depending on your agreement with the lender and the size of the mortgage. Usually, loan origination fee is paid to the lender upfront. Thus, all the reason to ensure you budget for it accordingly. 2. Inspection Fee After making a bid for a home, the next big expense you’re likely to encounter is the inspection fee. Having already put thousands of dollars into buying your new home, you should have it inspected for any problems before you close. This fee may be steep at first. But you’ll come to appreciate that it’s money well spent should there be any hidden issues with the property. If anything, you’ll have saved yourself a lot of bucks in future repairs. Therefore, ensure that you have the property thoroughly inspected and the foundation, electrical systems, interior plumbing, air conditioning, roof, basement, ceilings, walls, doors, etc. are up to standard. If there are any issues with the property, the seller has to make the necessary repairs before concluding the sale. 3. Agent Fee A real estate agent should help you navigate through the market. But even that comes at a cost. A competent real estate agent will help you through the paperwork and handle any legal affairs and requirements to ensure a successful purchase. Hire a reputable agent to ensure you get your money’s worth and land the best deals. 4. Home Maintenance and Repairs Unlike rentals where the landlords handle all maintenance and repair bills, homeowners take the responsibility. Basically, all the upkeep and repair costs fall on you. Want to change the locks, paint the walls, mow the lawn, etc.? All charges on you. 5. Higher Utility Bills Moving from a rental into your own home is great. But then, the utility bills aren’t always as welcoming. Gas, electricity, and water bills tend to be higher after buying a home. Everything falls on you as the homeowner, from paying for trash pickup to unclogging a blocked drain. 6. Closing Costs Typically, you may end up paying anything between 2% to 5% of the purchase price. That can be significantly high if your home costs more. But it’s an amount that you must part with to get your new home. Wrapping Up Be smart when buying a new home. Don’t fall victim to the hidden costs mentioned above. Ask your real estate agent these questions, and prepare yourself for any bills you need to pay. Do this right, and you should be on track.