First Time Buyer FAQ's
As a first-time buyer, you have a lot of questions. There is terminology you might not understand. And there are expenses you need to anticipate. Here are some explanations of just that, to help you on your way to homeownership.
First, what costs should you expect? After you have become "pre-approved" for a mortgage, you will know how much you can spend(your budget).Being pre-approved can quicken the time it takes to close, as well as give you an advantage over buyers who are not pre-approved, should a home be one of those once a year or even life time opportunities. Mortgage Rates are at an all time low combined with a high foreclosurerate and declined values educated and well represented Buyers have the leverage in this current market.
Next, figure out how much money you'll need to put down(if any). Are you planning on looking into a100% Loan? Or are you looking at an FHA Loan with 3.5% down? Perhaps you are interested in one of those$100 Down FHA loans you see advertised on HUD Homes?
What is Earnest Money? Most offers are accompanied by a check. This check is generally referred to as the "earnest money deposit." The basic reason for the deposit is to impress the seller that the buyer "earnestly" intends to purchase the property.The amount of the deposit varies from purchase to purchase, depending on a variety of factors. The biggest difference is the type of property and who the seller is. Are they a Bank? Is this a HUD Owned property? Or is this Susie seller from down the street? Average earnest money in North GA in Current market conditions is $500-$1000.
Can Earnest Money be a gift? Yes. You will want to check with Mike or your lender before asking a relative or close friend. Transactions must be properly documented.
What are closing cost? Closing costs are what are paid= at closing. You should expect to pay for an appraisal, title services, title insurance, transfer taxes, inspections, loan origination, private mortgage insurance, and homeowners insurance, among a host of other charges. The average closing costs range from 3 -5% . This figure depends primarily on the loan size. You can of course negotiate with the SELLER who is going to pay closing and how much they are contribute. It is common especially in a buyers market to see sellers paying at least a percentage of closing cost.
Can I include repairs into my home loan? Yes. The most common case is often found in the 203b $100 Down FHA with escrow repair an incentive for buyers purchasing HUD Owned Properties in Georgia.
What are property taxes? Property taxes are paid each year to your local government at the county level. Some areas of the country charge much higher taxes than others, and the price is a percentage of the valueof your property. That means that more the house is worth (according to the county), the more expensive the taxes.
