Expenses Related to Buying and Selling a House

(My Original Blog Post: http://www.addicting-flash-game.com/expenses-related-to-buying-and-selling-a-house)

More and more people are becoming aware that any major decision in either purchase or vending requires a good deal of thought and some amount of preparation, which is why more and more people are now interested in what specific considerations should be dealt with when seeking to either buy or sell a house. One of the biggest expenses a person can ever face in life involves either a good vehicle, property, or any type of residence. Considering that both purchase or vending of any one of these things involves a significant amount of money, the buying or selling of any of these things is rarely as simple as going to the person buying or selling and then proceeding with the payment transaction. There is an actual procedure to be followed in these instances, and other than paying for what is actually being sold or bought, there are also other payments to be made to complete the entire process.

Here are some of the expenses that are involved in the buying of a house:

The downpayment - Typically, the downpayment on a house is usually based various aspects of the house being sold, although depending on the actual size of the property, downpayments required may vary greatly. Getting a loan to be used in purchasing a house is not uncommon, and typically the required minimum amount is 20% of the house's purchase price.

Property tax - This figure may actually vary, since there will always be neighborhoods and areas that will have significantly pricier land values than others, which is why rich people, celebrities, and prominent politicians tend to live close to each other. The average property tax is around 1.5% to 2% of a house's purchase price.

Homeowner's insurance - Insurance companies will definitely charge different rates, so it would be a good idea to invest some time in contacting them to learn the pertinent info you need. There are also certain things you may know from an insurance company regarding a house that the broker itself may not tell you, since the insurance company is sure to send an independent representative to assess the house itself.

Private mortgage insurance - Should your downpayment be any less than 20% of the purchase price of the house, you may need to pay a certain amount each year to your loan costs until the equity of the house amounts to 22%, at which time there is no longer a need for the insurance.

Various miscellaneous fees - These are varied payables which may differ greatly depending upon the agreement between the buyer and the seller. This is probably the most negotiable of all the costs involved in the entire process of buying a house.

For those selling a house, here are the expected expenses:

Existing home loan - It is quite understood that a homeowner who has taken out a mortgage or two on their home cannot sell the house unless the loan is already settled. Careful planning when paying this loan is needed, since there are lenders that actually impose a penalty on early payers.
Broker's commission - The commission is often the largest expense in the entire process of selling a house, ranging anywhere from 5% to 7% of the selling price. Different real estate agencies will typically charge different rates, so take the time to scout around for the best agency or broker that will give the most value for the amount that will go to them.

Closing costs - Another significant expenditure in the process of selling a house is the closing cost. Closing costs are typically made up of the title insurance expense, pro-rated property taxes, document preparation fees, and legal fees for the services of a lawyer.