If you’re thinking of buying a property you have probably already heard rumblings about closing costs. The rumours are true, there are costs associated with buying a residential property that you should certainly be aware of. You may be affected by some or all of these costs and a breakdown can help to demystify the fees and help you be prepared for these potential expenses. Here are 16 closing costs that every buyer should know about.
Legal Fees
Lawyers’ fees vary. It is an issue for each buyer to raise at the time he/she engages the lawyer to close the deal.
Land Transfer Tax
This is the sales tax charged by the provincial government.The formula used to assess the tax is as follows:
- 0.5% of the first $55,000.00 of the purchase price,
- 1.0% of the next $195,000.00 of the purchase price,
- 1.5% of the next $150,000.00 of the purchase price, and
- 2.0% of the balance of the purchase price (for residential properties)
Miller Tax
This tax will apply to sales made after December 31, 2007. 0.5% for the first $55,000, 1% between $55,000 and $400,000 and 2% over $400,000 First time home buyers will receive a rebate of up to $3725. This means that a first time buyer tax is 2% on the amount over $400,000.
Property Inspection Report
Before you buy a property, it is wise to have it inspected by a qualified professional property inspector. The inspector will provide you with a written report. Such inspections cost $250 or more, depending upon the inspector and the size of the property.
Mortgage Financing Fees
Many mortgage companies charge appraisal and processing fees. These fees can be several hundred dollars. If you are borrowing more than 75% of the property’s value (high ratio financing), there will be mortgage insurance premiums added to face amount of the mortgage, including the 8% P.S.T.
Discharge Penalties
If the buyer is discharging a mortgage on the property he/she is selling, there may be early discharge penalties amounting to three months interest on the mortgage to be discharged. Other penalties may be imposed depending upon the terms of the contract. The mortgage company may be prepared to waive all or part of the early discharge penalty if the buyer agrees to mortgage the new property with the same mortgage company.
Survey
You may want a new survey, or your mortgage company may require one, in order to advance the mortgage funds. Surveys start at about $900. The price goes up depending upon the size and configuration of the property.
Title Insurance
Most mortgage lenders are prepared to accept title insurance instead of a survey. A Title Insurance policy costs about $250-$300 for most residential properties. The fee will vary to some extent with value of the property.
Disbursements
When your lawyer closes the purchase, he/she will have to pay a variety of expenses for you. He/she will add these costs to the bill he/she sends you. Such disbursements costs include fees for registering the deed and mortgage, building and tax certificates, hydro and water status reports, etc. On a standard residential purchase, these costs will run between $300 and $500.
Adjustments
The annual real estate taxes will be apportioned to the seller and the buyer as the date of closing. If the seller has prepaid the taxes for the year, the buyer will be required to reimburse a pro rata portion to the seller. If the property is heated by oil, the buyer will be required to reimburse the seller for the value of the oil remaining in the storage tank on closing. The buyer’s lawyer arranges for these adjustments with the seller’s lawyers as part of the closing process.
Moving Costs
Moving costs vary depending upon the distance moved and the weight and volume of possessions moved. It is wise to get an estimate from more than one mover. It is also wise to book your movers well in advance of your closing date.
Insurance Policies
You may wish to consider a closing insurance policy (about $40) and/or a home warranty policy ($230-$350). As well, you will need property insurance and occupier’s liability insurance. Contact an insurer well in advance of closing in order to ascertain the costs and to have the policies in place at closing.
Condominium Purchase
There are some special costs involved with a condominium purchase. For example, you will want a Status Certificate, which includes all important documents concerning the financial affairs of the condominium corporation, as well as the by-laws and the rules that owners are required to abide by. The Status Certificate costs $100, plus photocopying. Also, a condominium owner pays a monthly maintenance fee to the condominium corporation. This fee will be apportioned between the seller and the buyer as of the date of closing.
Rental Property Purchase
If you are buying a tenanted property, any prepaid rents will be accounted for as part of the closing process. If the seller has collected the last months rent, which is standard, you will be credited with that sum on closing.
Rural/Recreational Properties
There are a number of issues that must be canvassed by buyers of rural/recreational properties. They include water quality and quantity, the condition of the septic system, road access, and availability and cost of municipal services (e.g. garbage collection, schools, buses, road maintenance). All such issues need to be investigated fully at the time of purchase. Some of these investigations will cost money. For example, you may be required to pay fee for the water quality and quantity tests. Also, if you wish to have a professional assessment of the condition of the septic system, there will be a fee. You will want to consider all of these issues at the time you are considering the purchase.
New Home Purchases
The biggest extra cost on new home purchases is GST. GST is a 7% sales tax imposed by federal government on new homes, as well as most other goods and services. It is not applied to purchases of resale (“used”) homes. Many builders include the GST in the purchase price. Make sure that the issue of who pays the GST is resolved in the Agreement of Purchase & Sale. Read your contract carefully. There may be additional costs for a wide variety of items, including paving of the driveway, landscaping, etc. On some new home purchases, the bill for these “extras” can be thousands of dollars.
