5 Closing Costs That Most Buyers Forget to Factor in and What You Can Expect to Pay in WA

Published:
August 6, 2015
Last updated:
December 10, 2021
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Are you thinking of buying a home in WA some time soon? If so, there are closing costs that you need to consider. In this article, we’ll outline certain closing costs in WA that are often neglected by buyers.

If you’re in the process of buying a home, you probably have your deposit and monthly mortgage charges in a spreadsheet, along with a chart of your other expenses and your monthly income. But when it comes to buying a home in WA, there are lots of different costs that will come into play – and it’s easy to forget something.

When you’re preparing to close on your new home, make sure you consider these three closing costs that most buyers forget.

1. Home Inspection Fees: A Small Charge For Peace Of Mind

Most home purchase agreements are contingent upon a successful home inspection – and if you’re planning to buy a home, you should definitely have it inspected before you buy it. However, home inspectors don’t work for free, and you’ll have to pay a home inspector for a thorough evaluation of the premises.

Home inspection fees depend on the kind of property you’re buying, and can vary depending on your location. For a condo unit, you will typically only need to pay about $250, but a single-family home might cost up to $500. Luxury properties are often more expensive, sometimes even running as high as $1,500.

2. Adjustments

If the seller already paid for property taxes, HOA fees, or utility bills for the rest of the year or past the closing date, adjustments will have to be made. The seller will need to be reimbursed for payments made that extend beyond closing, and rightfully so. That means you, as the buyer and new owner of the property, will have to cover the cost of these payments in the form of adjustments.

3. Title Insurance

Buyers must pay for title insurance, which is important as this type of policy protects you from any potential issues with the title of the property, In some cases, sellers may not be legally allowed to sell the property. In others, there may be liens on title that will need to be cleared before you take possession. Title insurance can protect you from these issues, but there is a cost associated with such insurance, which is typically a few hundred dollars.

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4. Private Mortgage Insurance: Obligatory With Small Down Payments

If you’re only planning to make the minimum down payment on your home, you’ll need to buy mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance protects the lender in the event that you default on your loan. This is an added cost that your lender pays, and in general, almost every lender will pass the cost on to you.

You can pay for your mortgage insurance in one large payment, or you can add it to your monthly mortgage payments. Note that if your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price, you’re legally required to buy mortgage insurance.

5. Lender Fees: Additional Fees to Process Your Mortgage

One category of closing costs that buyers often forget is lender fees. Lender fees are fees that your mortgage lender will charge for processing the transaction of the loan. These can include appraisal fees, credit report fees, processing and application fees, and administration fees for underwriting.

These fees can range depending on the lender, but in many cases they exceed $3,000. You’ll want to budget about $3,500 to $5,000 to be safe.

Buying a house is a major undertaking, and there are lots of ways that the process could go awry. But a good mortgage professional can help you navigate the process and get the home and the mortgage you’ve always wanted without any issues. Contact your trusted mortgage expert to learn more.

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Need a Mortgage?

Are you in need of a mortgage to help finance a home purchase? Sammamish Mortgage can help! We are a local mortgage company serving the broader Pacific Northwest region, including Washington state, Idaho, Colorado, and Oregon. We’ve been serving borrowers since 1992 and are proud to offer a wide variety of mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria. Please contact us if you have any questions or are ready to apply for a home loan.

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