Homebuyer Average Closing Costs in Idaho in 2023

Published:
January 30, 2019
Last updated:
December 7, 2022
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If you’re planning to buy a home in Idaho in 2023, then you should know that a mortgage is not the only thing that you will have to pay. There are a number of closing costs that buyers will have to front before a transaction closes. This article will give you an idea of what you can expect to pay in closing costs in Idaho this year.

Closing costs are an unavoidable expense during the home buying process. While many first-time home buyers know they will have to save up money for a down payment, they may not realize they will also have to pay additional costs.

Closing costs encompass payments for numerous services, fees, and taxes involved in purchasing a piece of property. Knowing what to expect from these expenses can help you budget for your new home.

Why Are Closing Costs Necessary?

Closing costs pay for fees and services in addition to the final price of the house. Most of these extra expenses come at the closing of the sale, or when the property title transfers from seller to buyer.

Closing costs include unavoidable expenses, such as taxes, as well as some optional and negotiable expenses that will depend on the parties involved in the transaction. Both the buyer and the seller may contribute to closing costs.

Many first-time homebuyers think the sale process will only involve them, the sellers, the bank, and maybe a real estate agent. In reality, purchasing a home involves services from many parties, each of whom may charge fees for their assistance. These fees end up in the closing cost of a home and you can expect to pay 3% to 5% of a home’s total value in Idaho. While it may not be possible to avoid closing costs, it is possible to prepare for them as a buyer.

Closing Costs in Idaho

Knowing about how much to expect from closing costs can help you budget and prepare for the home buying process. Although the exact amount will vary, the average closing costs on a home in Idaho on average is 3% to 5% of the purchase price of a home.

The average price of a home in Idaho is about $467,694 right now, according to Zillow, up 4% from the same time last year.

Given today’s average price for a home in Idaho, you can expect to pay anywhere from $14,030 to $23,384. The higher the price is for the home you buy, the more you’ll have to pay in closing costs.

Knowing how much to expect from closing costs in advance of the closing date can help buyers plan their finances and strategize ways to minimize the costs. Luckily, buyers can receive estimates of closing costs upfront when they apply for mortgage loans in Idaho.

When Are Closing Fees Due?

Depending on your situation, you’ll have to pay your closing costs in full upfront when you sign off on a real estate deal. As such ,it’s important that you budget accordingly so you aren’t left scrambling to come up with the funds at the last minute.

That is, unless you’re refinancing a mortgage. In this case, you may have the option to roll these fees into your home loan and pay them off with the rest of the loan.

Rolling closing costs into a refinance may be allowed as long as these additional costs don’t increase your total loan amount over your lender’s loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

What Real Estate Closing Costs May Include

“Closing costs” is a blanket term that can include several payment types and cost categories. The majority of closing costs in Idaho (about 53%) goes to lender’s fees. These are necessary fees a bank or lender will charge for a home loan, such as application fees, underwriting fees, and attorney fees, in some cases. The rest (about 47%) goes to third-party expenses.

Costs will vary depending on the situation, but may include:

  • Document preparation – Average cost around $600
  • Tax services – Average cost between $150 – $500
  • Home appraisal – Average cost between $385 – $520
  • Land surveys – Average cost $2,000 – $2,500
  • Credit reports – No cost
  • Home inspections – Average cost between $400 – $500
  • Title search and title insurance – Average cost a few hundred dollars to $2,000
  • Outstanding property taxes – Cost depends on the exact transaction
  • Private mortgage insurance – Average cost between 0.58% – 1.86% of the original loan amount each year
  • Attorney fees – Average cost between $600 – $900
  • Escrow fees – Average cost between 1% – 2% of the cost of a home
  • Courier fee – Average cost around $30
  • Homeowners association (HOA) fee – Average cost between $100 – $1,000 per month

The precise types of fees associated with purchasing a home will depend on the needs of the buyer or seller. Many residential real estate buyers can try to control their costs by forgoing certain inspections or completing administrative tasks on their own.

Some parts of closing costs may be negotiable, like loan origination fees, while others do not leave room for change, such as property taxes or title insurance. Getting an estimate on closing costs early can help buyers plan and control their expenses.

Live Idaho Mortgage Rates

Are Closing Costs Negotiable?

Some real estate closing costs are non-negotiable, while others may have some leeway depending on the situation. A lender’s fee, for example, is something a home buyer may be able to negotiate with his or her bank.

A buyer will receive an estimate of fees within three days of applying for a home loan. The estimate should include a breakdown of all fees and services the closing costs will include. The buyer will not get a final closing cost amount until three days before the final closing, in a Closing Disclosure statement.

How to Limit Your Closing Costs

When getting a mortgage it is important that you educate yourself on your options and compare quotes from more than one lender. While just going to your local bank, credit union, or a lender your real estate agent referred may sound like a good idea, it can often cost you thousands of dollars at closing or even more over the life of the loan.

Do your homework.

Not all lenders offer the same rates and lender fees. Searching for lenders to compare online is a great start just make sure you are dealing with a highly rated reputable company. Look for lenders who offer a variety of options, and that don’t charge exorbitant loan origination fees.

Another tip is to look for lenders that offer multiple rate and cost options so you can choose the best one that meets your current financial situation. Many lenders will offer large lender credits to cover a big chunk of your closing costs in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate. This is ideal for someone with limited funds or someone that isn’t sure how long they will stay in the property.

Buyers in Idaho get one break in closing costs: no state or county real estate transfer taxes. Most states impose real estate transfer taxes on property deeds, ranging from $0.10 to $2.00 and higher per $500 depending on the laws and the value of the home. This can add up to be quite a bit, especially as the price of the home increases.

In Idaho, the law does not permit any county to impose transfer taxes within the state. In states that do impose this real estate tax, the price is non-negotiable.

Ask for a Loan Estimate.

Receiving a closing cost estimate early on can help a buyer plan for the total expenses of purchasing your Idaho home. Avoid hidden fees and unwelcome last-minute surprises by receiving an up-front standardized Loan Estimate form when you apply for a home loan.

The second page of your form will itemize the buyer’s closing costs. Section A of the Loan Estimate will reflect all lender fees and is an easy way to compare lenders side by side. If you are getting a lender credit, this will show in Section J of the Loan Estimate.

If you are unsure what to look for, contact one of our professional Loan Officers today. They can compare your existing quote and give you honest feedback on whether it’s a good quote or not.

Why Choose Sammamish Mortgage?

At Sammamish Mortgage, our loan officers are committed to transparency during the loan application and approval process, meaning you’ll have a good idea of your closing costs from start to finish.

Sammamish Mortgage has been in business since 1992, and has assisted many homebuyers in the Pacific Northwest. If you are looking for mortgage financing in Washington State, we can help you get preapproved. Sammamish Mortgage offers mortgage programs in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Contact a loan officer if you have any mortgage-related questions or concerns. If you are ready to move forward, you can view rates, obtain a customized instant rate quote, or apply instantly directly from our website.

Get an Instant Mortgage Rate Quote Today

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