First Timer Primer: How Much Cash Do You Need to Buy a House?

• January 23, 2013
• 2 Comments

by Shilpi Paul

In this edition of First Timer Primer, UrbanTurf provides a brief outline of some of the up-front costs associated with buying a home.

Here’s a rundown of the outlays.

Earnest Money Deposit

After making an offer and coming to an agreement with the home seller, a buyer is generally expected to pay 1 to 3 percent of the purchase price immediately. This earnest money deposit is held until closing, when it becomes part of the down payment. If the buyer backs out of the deal unexpectedly, the seller keeps the money. If the deal falls through due to a contingency that was previously laid out, the buyer would get the money back. On a $425,000 home, the earnest money deposit would be between $4,250 and $12,750.

Home Inspection

The next outlay is generally the home inspection, which costs in the neighborhood of $300 to $600.

Down Payment

Your down payment will likely vary from between 3.5 percent of the purchase price, with an FHA-backed loan, to 20 percent. So, for a $425,000 home, you would need to put between $14,875 (3.5 percent) and $85,000 (20 percent) down. Down payments of greater than 20 percent are also an option and would lead, of course, to smaller mortgage payments and most likely, a lower interest rate.

Closing Costs

Closing costs typically range from 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price. Included in the sum are title insurance, loan-processing costs, taxes, and various other fees (a full rundown of the closing costs in DC can be found here). These costs are sometimes negotiable; in certain markets, an eager developer may defer closing costs.

For our $425,000 example, closing costs would range from $8,500 to $21,250.

Homeowner’s Insurance and Moving Costs

Every mortgage needs to be insured. The first annual premium is usually paid at closing. Be sure to also keep some cash on hand for moving costs, which will vary based on how large a place you are moving from and how much stuff you have.

Similar Posts:

• First-Timer Primer: The Mortgage Pre-Approval Process
• How a $100 Mistake Can Sink Your Credit Score

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/first_timer_primer_how_much_cash_do_you_need_to_buy_a_house/6547

2 Comments

1. WM said at 1:51 pm on Thursday January 24, 2013:

   Two years ago my lender also asked for atleast 3 months worth of mortgage payments (not including condo fees) in cash (savings)... and of course to avoid any big spending that could affect the financial situation. I guess some factors will vary based on income level, down payment, and how “flexible lenders are”.

1. Matt Rexrode said at 6:47 pm on Thursday January 24, 2013:

   WM, a requirement for Reserves (i.e. 3 months of your mortgage payment) is also dependent on the loan program. The requirements for a Jumbo loan ($625,000+), a first time home buyer program, or an FHA loan all differ.

Join the discussion