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ESTIMATED
COSTS OF CLOSING In Georgia, the SELLER typically pays :
1. Transfer tax on the deed at a current rate of .0010% of the selling
price. Note:
As of January 1, 2007, the Seller is no longer required to provide or pay
for a prelisting termite letter, nor provide a clear termite letter at
closing unless all parties agree in writing. However, I recommend that
the seller have a termite inspection prior to listing, and treat, repair or
disclose any problems. Closing
costs may be paid by the Seller or the Buyer. If the loan is less than
90% Loan to Value, the lender may only allow the Seller to pay up to 3% in
closing costs, discount points, and any other cost of closing
combined. FHA loans and 90% LTV (Loan to Value) typically allow a 6%
seller contribution. WHO PAYS THE CLOSING COSTS
IS NEGOTIABLE AT THE TIME OF CONTRACT. Items Which Are Considered
Closing Costs LOAN
ORIGINATION FEE . Mortgage Loan Only. This is essentially the
"commission" charged by your originating mortgage company or
bank. Remember, your originating company probably is not funding the
loan, so its fees are collected only one time, at the time of closing.
The average loan origination fee is 1% of the loan amount. APPRAISAL.
Mortgage Loan Only. Optional for Cash Sale. About $350.00. FLOOD CERTIFICATION . Mortgage Loan Only. This doesn't mean that your property is in a flood plain - it is required by all title companies. Average of $90.00. TITLE SEARCH . Mortgage Loan Only. Optional for Cash Sales. About $150.00. LENDER'S TITLE INSURANCE . Mortgage Loan Only. This is a mandatory closing cost. It protects the lender's interest in the property against any claims against the title. Cost varies - $200.00 and up. OWNER'S TITLE INSURANCE. Mortgage Loan or Cash Sale. This is optional in Georgia. It protects the Buyer/Owner against any future claims against title. It is a one-time fee. Cost varies. The title company typically issues the lender and owner's policies at the same time, and offers a discount at that time. Multiply the purchase price by .002, and you'll get an estimate of the cost. FINAL
PROPERTY SURVEY. This probably will be optional
for Mortgage Loan, and is optional for Cash Sales. Most title
companies no longer require a survey at closing, but the lender may require
it (or the buyer may want one). The cost averages
$275.00-$300.00. You may request that the closing attorney order the
survey for closing, or you may order and pay for it prior to closing. TERMITE
LETTER (GEORGIA WOOD INFESTATION REPORT). As of January 1, 2007,
the Georgia Association of REALTORS "Purchase and Sale Agreement"
does not require the seller to provide a "clear termite letter" to
the buyer. The burden is on the buyer to order the inspection within
the inspection contingency deadline, and present the seller with any
requests for treatment or repairs. For most mortgages, this is now optional. TRANSFER TAX ON THE MORTGAGE. Mortgage Loan Only. Cost depends on the mortgage. ATTORNEY'S FEE. Mortgage Loan or Cash Sale. This is the fee to the Closing Attorney who represents the lender in the transaction. The average fee in Atlanta is $400-$550. Depending on your lender, there may be other costs for mortgage broker commissions, underwriting fees, courier fees, etc., that would be considered closing costs. Please
refer to your lender’s Good Faith
Estimate for specific costs, and don't hesitate to ask your loan
officer for further explanations if necessary.
You'll also want to be sure to bring your Good Faith Estimate to closing
with you, to compare it to the Settlement Statement. Prepaids are not to be confused with Closing Costs. Closing Costs are costs to close the loan, such as lender and attorney fees and title insurance. Prepaids are items which are prorated or escrowed at closing. These may include the following: PROPERTY TAXES 1. The current year’s tax bill will be prorated at closing. If the tax bill is not yet out, the attorney will estimate the bill and will prorate the buyer’s and seller’s shares at closing. 2. An escrow account will be set up with your lender to pay your tax bills in the future. Your lender generally will require enough months in escrow at closing to pay the next tax bill when it comes due. However, if the tax bill is not yet paid for the calendar year, the buyer will be credited with the seller’s share of the tax bill. Be sure to get together with your lender prior to closing and clarify how much will be required for escrow. HAZARD INSURANCE You must bring a one year paid policy to the closing for your homeowner’s insurance (or have it sent by your insurance company to the closing attorney for the premium to be deducted at closing). Your lender will require at least two month’s of your insurance premium to be escrowed at closing for next year’s bill. HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION FEE If your neighborhood has a homeowner’s association with a mandatory fee, the fee will be prorated at closing, depending on how your HOA collects (monthly, quarterly or annually). You may also have to pay in full an initiation fee. PMI – PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE If your loan is less than 80% loan to value, your lender may charge PMI, or Private Mortgage Insurance. You will pay a percentage at closing, and a percentage will be added to your monthly mortgage payment. Your lender should include an estimate of this cost in your Good Faith Estimate. The current Georgia Association of Realtors contract allows either the Buyer or the Seller to pay prepaids, but this may dictated by the lender and loan program.
Recommended
Optional
Items
ONE
YEAR HOME WARRANTY. This is not considered a true closing cost,
but may be paid at closing by the
buyer or seller. Several third party companies offer home
warranties for resale homes. The cost for basic coverage is under
$400.00, and certain optional coverage may be added. Your agent can
recommend several excellent companies in metro Atlanta.
HOME INSPECTION. This is not a closing cost, and is optional. The cost of an independent home inspection is the Buyer's cost. If you are buying with the right to have the home inspected, it is your responsibility to order the inspection within the deadline period and pay the inspector at the time of inspection. This is for defects that may not be easily discovered in a visual inspection. RADON INSPECTION. If you are purchasing a home in north Georgia, it is advised that you have an indepent radon test performed during your inspection contingency. MORE... (use your BACK button to return to this page) FINAL PROPERTY SURVEY showing the property boundaries, where the house and driveway are placed on the property, and any easements or encroachments. Some lenders require a survey at closing, but most do not. If you do not include a recent survey in your owner's title policy at closing, your title insurance may exclude any property line disputes! OFFICIAL GEORGIA WOOD INFESTATION REPORT (Termite Inspection). If the seller does not have a current termite bond, it is advised that the buyer have an inspection as part of the inspection contingency, and request for the seller to treat and repair any active infestation. MORE,,, OWNER'S TITLE INSURANCE. The mandatory policy issued at closing is the Lender's Title Insurance. In Georgia, title insurance is optional for buyers. If there is a cloud on your title, or a claim against your title, during your ownership or when you sell, you'll want your own policy. Just like hospitlization insurance, you may never need it. If you do need it, you could lose up to your entire equity without that policy. MORE...
Below is an example of items which might be included in the Buyer's costs of closing. The following data is for estimation purposes only and the accuracy of the figures is not guaranteed. The actual costs with respect to each transaction will vary depending on the circumstances. You'll find web sites on the Internet where you can calculate your Principal & Interest amount. This is just one of many: http://www.com-stock.com/products/java/ This
is a typical 90% Conventional Fixed Rate Loan, and the Seller has agreed to
contribute $3,000.00 toward the Buyer's Closing Costs. There is no
required homeowners association fee in this community. Keep in mind
that there are many loan programs available today, including 100%
financing. Purchase Price $ 182,900 Estimated Cash Requirements
Estimated Total Cash Required $ 22677.57
Estimated Monthly Cash Required Monthly
Payment (P & I) $ 973.67 **
2 months of PITI cash reserves are required after closing ** |