Everything You Need to Know About Closing Costs
Embarking on the thrilling journey of homeownership is a significant milestone filled with anticipation and dreams. However, to navigate this exciting venture successfully, it’s essential to delve into the intricacies of various aspects, and one key area that deserves your attention is understanding closing costs.
In this comprehensive article, we aim to demystify the world of closing costs—shedding light on their significance, breaking down their components, and providing invaluable insights to ensure you can navigate this crucial aspect of your homeownership journey seamlessly.
Table of Contents
What are Closing Costs?
Closing costs are the additional expenses that arise during a real estate transaction’s final stages. They go beyond the property’s purchase price and play a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth and legally sound transfer of ownership. Understanding these costs is essential for prospective homebuyers, as they directly impact your budget and the overall affordability of your dream home.
Common Components of Closing Costs
Closing costs are a culmination of various components, each serving a specific purpose in the homebuying process. Let’s explore the common elements to be aware of:
- Property Tax Adjustment: If the owner has paid property taxes until the end of the year and you move on December 1, then you would likely need to reimburse them for the number of days remaining in the year. So, in this case, 31 days’ worth of property taxes.
- Legal Fees: Legal representation is fundamental in the complex world of real estate transactions. Lawyer or solicitor fees cover the service of reviewing contracts, ensuring legal compliance, and facilitating a smooth closing process. It may also include fees for a title search, legal registration, and title insurance.
- Land Transfer Taxes: Provincial taxes associated with transferring property ownership.
- Tax on Default Insurance Premiums: The tax on premiums for your mortgage default insurance.
General Costs to Consider in the Homebuying Process
The following costs are not necessarily involved in the closing process but may be involved at any point in the buying process:
Loan-Related Costs
These costs are directly associated with the mortgage itself and can include:
- Lender/Broker Fees: Cover the administrative tasks involved in getting your loan approved. In other words, these are the costs of processing your mortgage application.
- Appraisal Fees: Appraisal fees involve the expertise of a professional to provide an accurate assessment of your property’s value.
Insurance Costs
- Homeowner’s Insurance: Also referred to as fire insurance, this payment ensures that the property is adequately insured against potential risks, offering peace of mind and financial protection in case of unforeseen events.
- Mortgage Insurance: For those with high-ratio mortgages, where the down payment is less than 20%, mortgage insurance becomes a necessary payment. This insurance protects the lender in case of default, allowing individuals with smaller down payments to access homeownership.
- Title Insurance: Title insurance protects potential title issues that might surface after the purchase.
Other Costs
- Home Inspection Fees: Assessing the property’s condition is critical in the homebuying journey. Home inspection fees cover the expertise of professionals who evaluate the property and identify potential issues that might not be evident during a standard viewing. This step empowers buyers with a comprehensive understanding of the property’s condition, allowing for informed decisions and potential negotiations.
- Utility Hookups: Fees associated with connecting essential services, including water, gas, and electricity. This ensures a smooth transition and a functional living environment when you move in.
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST): These taxes may apply to new homes. It’s imposed at the federal or provincial level, respectively, depending on the location of the property, and can impact the overall cost of purchasing a new home.
- Moving Costs: Expenses associated with hiring a professional moving company or renting a truck for a DIY move. Planning for these costs is essential, covering transportation, packing materials, and labour, ensuring a seamless and efficient transition to your new residence.
How Much Are Closing Costs? Factors To Keep In Mind
Several factors can influence the total amount of closing costs you’ll incur:
- Property Location: Different provinces may have varying regulations and taxes.
- Loan Amount and Type: Larger loans and certain mortgage types may incur higher costs. For example, title insurance is often more expensive.
- Market Conditions: Fluctuations in the real estate market can impact closing costs.
- Timing of Closing: The specific date of your property’s closing can affect prepaid items, like property taxes.
Generally, lenders want to document that you have 1.5% of the purchase price available for closing costs. Generally, closing costs are 1% to 4% of the purchase price.
Strategies for Managing Closing Costs
Closing costs can be managed effectively with strategic approaches. For example, you can negotiate certain costs with the seller to see what they’d be willing to cover. You can also try:
- Loan Cash Back: Some lenders offer 1% to 3% of the loan amount as cash back. This can help reimburse you for the closing cost. Note that the interest rate of the loan may be higher with this option.
- Exploring Grants and Assistance Programs: Certain programs offer financial assistance for closing costs.
- Comparison Shopping: Compare rates and fees from different service providers to secure the best deals.
The Closing Process
The closing process in Canada involves several key steps that culminate in the successful transfer of property ownership.
- Initially, you and the seller enter into a legally binding agreement, often facilitated by real estate agents or lawyers. This is referred to as the agreement of purchase and sale.
- Once the offer is accepted, you’ll need to provide a deposit. This will form part of the down payment that you pay on the closing date.
- If there is a conditional period, you’ll need to engage professionals who conduct due diligence, including title searches, property value appraisal, home inspection, order and review of the status certificate (if the property is in a condo corporation) and document preparation. All of these items are typically paid for by the buyer. At this time, the lender will assess your financial standing.
- Following this, you can arrange for a home inspection and potentially negotiate repairs or adjustments.
- On closing day, land transfer taxes, legal fees, and other closing costs are calculated and settled. Your lawyer or solicitor completes the transaction by transferring funds to the seller, registering the new ownership, and ensuring all legal requirements are met.
Once you officially sign the necessary legal documents, you’ll get the keys to your new home, usually between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Tips for a Smooth Closing
To ensure a seamless closing process, always review documents for accuracy and stay informed throughout the process by collaborating with your real estate agent, mortgage broker, lender, and other relevant parties. Disclose everything to the professionals involved. It’s always better to over-disclose to your team of professionals than to have surprises later in the process. It’s also important to be prepared for unexpected expenses with a contingency fund.
Picking the Right Closing Date
Don’t close on the 1st, 15th, or end of the month. Generally, many other people choose these dates for closing, which means that lenders and lawyers will be extremely busy. As a result, the parties involved may not communicate as effectively.
Additionally, avoid closing on a Friday or a long weekend. If, for whatever reason, the mortgage doesn’t get funded or the closing date needs to be pushed back because it wasn’t finalized by 5 p.m., then the possession date gets pushed to the following Monday. This makes buyers and sellers wait longer, which may not be ideal, especially when they’re ready to close the transaction.
As you embark on your homeownership journey, understanding and managing closing costs is fundamental. By grasping the intricacies of these costs, you empower yourself to make informed decisions and ensure a financially sound transition into your new home.
For personalized guidance on closing costs and navigating the complex landscape of mortgages, reach out to the Chris Allard Mortgage Team. Our friendly experts are here to assist you every step of the way, ensuring your homeownership journey is successful and stress-free. Contact us today!
Chris Allard’s experience in the field means he can get you offers with over 50 financial institutions lending in Ottawa. Every lender has many mortgage products they offer, which means Chris and his team will make sure a mortgage caters to your needs while also ensuring you get a competitive rate. Chris Allard is a proud mortgage broker of Smart Debt Mortgages, independently owned and operated. Smart Debt broker #12236.