March 2021

When buying a new home, it’s essential to factor in all the possible additional costs. These can add up quickly, so you should familiarize yourself with them as soon as you decide to search for a new home. Accounting for additional expenses in your budget will make the already stressful process of buying a home a bit easier. These are the extra costs of buying a new home that you need to know about. 

Property taxes

As a homeowner, you’re required to pay property taxes. The property tax is determined by the city, township, or country where your new property is located (the effective average rate is 1.1% of the home’s assessed value).

Sometimes property taxes are easy to forget to include in your budget calculations as they’re often rolled in with your mortgage. 

Closing Costs

When the real estate transaction comes to an end, you’re required to pay a plethora of fees known as closing costs. To avoid unpleasant surprises, you should talk to your realtor and ask them about the specific closing costs. They usually include:

• Lawyer fees
• Cost of inspection
• Document fees
• Appraisal fees
• Surveyance fee
• Sales brokerage commission
• Title cost
• Mortgage application
• Home warranty

Paying For The Escrow

Making escrow is an important part of the budget you need to buy a new home. Generally, buyers are asked to pay for escrow upfront to cover some costs (insurance, property taxes, etc.). 

Earnest Money

Earnest money, a form of security deposit made in large transactions such as real estate dealings, is paid upfront before filling out the paperwork. Since it’s a deposit, home buyers will receive the money-back once the transaction goes through. If the buyer should back out of the deal, they probably won’t get their deposit back. 

The amount of earnest money ranges from a few hundred to thousands of dollars; the precise amount ought to be listed in the contract. 

School Taxes

Homebuyers that have children who go to or about to start school are probably happy to pay more in school taxes if it ensures high-quality education for their children. Those who don’t have school-age children might want to look into what school taxes they’re expected to pay because it could be a deal-breaker. The amount of school taxes varies from district to district. 

Homeowner’s Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance is not that much of a surprise expense since banks and mortgage companies require it before issuing a loan.

Oftentimes homeowner’s insurance is included in monthly mortgage rates. It’s essential not to overlook this expense as it could go up or down depending on your needs. For instance, most basic homeowner’s policies don’t provide coverage against natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes. If you’re buying a house in an area prone to disasters, you’ll probably want to pay for extra insurance.

Interest Rates

There is no way around interest rates – they’re the inevitable part of buying a new home. The good news is that having a good credit card rating will get you a lower interest rate. 

Moving Costs

Don’t forget to account for all the moving costs. Moving vans are usually expensive, depending on how far your new home is. If you’re making a long-distance move, you have to think about moving costs upfront as they will likely cost you an arm and a leg. 

Utilities

Those who are moving to a bigger home need to consider that the utilities might cost a lot more than they’re used to. It’s important to consider costs for: 

• Gas
• Electricity
• Sewer
• Water
• Cable 
• Internet

Costs for installing Internet, cable, and other services can add up quickly, so you need to be aware of these expenses beforehand and make sure to include them when you’re planning your budget. 

Home Maintenance and Repairs

Depending on the state of the home you’re buying, you will need to invest a substantial amount into repairs and renovations. This is particularly true if you’ve purchased a fixer-upper. Even if your new home is in somewhat good condition, never underestimate the possibility of an extra cost appearing out of nowhere.

Some repair costs are not so expensive, while some might require you to cough up thousands of dollars. Furthermore, some are not that urgent, and some require immediate renovation, for example, if the roof is in poor condition, you will need to get on that as soon as possible. Repairs that cannot wait can end up costing you a lot more than you’ve hoped. 

That’s why it’s smart to always have a portion of your budget dedicated to the expenses that cover home maintenance and repairs. 

The Takeaway

Buying a new home will undoubtedly carry a myriad of unplanned expenses. By doing research and preparing yourself for additional costs, you’re staying ahead of things.

If you hadn’t thought about all the extra costs and how much they will take out of your pocket, perhaps you’re not quite ready to buy a new home yet. While you’re saving up more money, looking at homes in Minnesota, New York City or Las Vegas it’s the perfect time to take a look at some homes for rent.

If you are considering buying your first home and have no or low credit, you may still be able to procure financing. This article will explain five loan programs for first-time buyers. Read on to find out whether you qualify!

Federal Housing Administration Loan

First-time homebuyers and those with no or low credit may be eligible for a loan that is guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The FHA program was created in 1934 to allow lenders to relax certain criteria to broaden the pool of eligible home loan borrowers. 

Borrowers must have a steady income and provide proof of employment for the last two years to qualify for an FHA loan. That proof may take the form of pay stubs, income tax returns, and bank statements.

Currently, those with a credit score of at least 580 can qualify for an FHA loan with as little as 3.5% or the purchase price as a down payment. Those with a credit score between 500 and 579 will still qualify for an FHA loan but must come up with 10% of the purchase price as a down payment. All borrowers regardless of credit score must have less than a 43% debt-to-income ratio.

While the FHA makes mortgages available to more people, it imposes more requirements on the property purchased. For example, the property must be inspected and meet certain standards. It also must appraise for the purchase price. The borrower must certify that the property will be their primary residence. The FHA will not guarantee loans to purchase rentals or vacation homes.

There is an additional cost for those with low or no credit to procure a loan through the FHA. The FHA requires that borrowers purchase and maintain mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance pays the loan should the borrower default. 

Veterans Administration Loan

A borrower who is serving or has served in any branch of the military and their eligible spouses may qualify for a home loan through the Veterans Administration (VA). 

Like FHA loans, VA loans are provided by private lenders such as banks and mortgage companies. The VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide eligible borrowers with more favorable terms such as a lower interest rate or a low or no down payment.

Home Purchase Loans through the VA

VA-guaranteed loans are available for homes for a service member’s or a veteran’s occupancy, as well as for the occupancy of an eligible spouse and/or dependent of active duty service members. 

To be eligible for a VA home purchase loan, a borrower must have a satisfactory credit score, sufficient income to meet their mortgage payments and other monthly obligations, and a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Borrowers can apply for a COE here.

VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan 

An Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), also called a Streamline Refinance Loan, helps current VA borrowers obtain a lower interest rate by refinancing their existing VA loan. 

Native American Direct Loan Through the VA

The Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program helps eligible Native American Veterans finance the purchase, building, or renovation or improvement of homes on Federal Trust Land. NADL also can reduce the interest rate on an existing VA loan for eligible Native American Veteran borrowers. 

Adapted Housing Grants through the VA

The VA’s Adapted Housing Grants help veterans with a permanent and total disability incurred while in service to purchase, build, or adapt an existing home to assist them in living with their disability more independently. Common modifications to homes include building ramps and widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs. 

In 2021, veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities can get up to $100,896 through a Specially Adapted Housing Grant. Qualifying injuries include:

• The loss or loss of use of more than one limb
• The loss or loss of use of a lower leg;
• Blindness in both eyes (with 20/200 visual acuity or less)
• Certain severe burns
• The loss or loss of use of one lower extremity (foot or leg) causing the inability to walk without the help of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair

Only 120 veterans and service members can qualify for an Adapted Housing Grant based on the loss of one extremity each fiscal year. Those who apply but are turned down because the quota was met are encouraged to reapply the following year.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Loan 

According to David Offen, Esq., bankruptcy lawyer in Philadelphia, “The USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program was created in 2017 to develop, maintain, and occupy eligible rural properties. Urban properties are not eligible, but there may be some opportunity in some suburban areas.”

The USDA issues mortgages to low- and very-low-income applicants purchasing eligible properties at interest rates as low as 1%. The income threshold for eligibility for direct loans from the USDA varies by region.

The USDA also guarantees mortgages issued by participating local lenders, similar to the way the FHA and VA guarantee home loans. The interest rate will be low as will the required down payment, however, those putting little to no money down will have to purchase and maintain mortgage insurance. 

Federal Home Purchase and Renovation Loans

There are four federal programs that allow borrowers, even first-time home buyers, to extend the amount they could otherwise borrow by the amount needed to renovate or improve the property.

The Energy Efficient Mortgage Program

The Energy Efficient Mortgage Program (EEM) allows a borrower to borrow more to purchase a home with energy-saving upgrades and green renovations.

203(k) Loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration

The FHA backs loans to borrowers who want to purchase a fixer-upper. 203(k) Loans are guaranteed in the amount the property will be worth once improvements have been made.

CHOICE Renovation Loan

Guaranteed by Freddie Mac, this conventional loan program allows borrowers to finance both the purchase and renovation of a property with a low down payment.

HomeStyle Loan

This is a conventional loan offered through Fannie Mae to finance the purchase of a fixer-upper as well as needed improvements with just 3% down for first-time buyers.

Visit the websites of the programs you may be eligible for, and talk with a local lender. Obtaining financing through one of these programs may allow you to purchase the home of your dreams.