Your mortgage isn't the only expense when buying a home. There are also
closing costs that include appraisal fees, lawyer's fees, insurance and
more.
Generally speaking, your combined closing costs represent between 3%
and 4% of the purchase price. These will vary by province and city,
and are often linked to the price of the home. Your lender, lawyer or notary
and real estate agent can help you estimate them.
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- High Ratio Mortgage application
fee: Paid to the mortgage insurer to process your application
if you're applying for a high-ratio mortgage (less than 25% down payment).
- Mortgage default insurance:
High-ratio mortgages (those with less than 25% down payment) require
insurance against default. The cost is usually added to the mortgage,
and ranges from 1.00% to 3.25% depending on the amount of your down
payment. There is an additional 0.25% premium for variable rate mortgages.
- Appraisal fee:
The cost for a professional appraiser's opinion of the value of the
property. Your mortgage lender will require an appraisal to determine
whether the selling price is reasonable for that market.
- Land survey fee (or title
insurance in lieu): The lender usually requires a recent survey
of the property or title insurance in lieu.
- Home inspection fee:
This covers the cost of a professional inspection of your home.
- Legal costs:
Legal costs include fees for the professional services provided by your
lawyer or notary, costs involved in conducting a title search, drafting
the title deed and preparing the mortgage, as well as registration fees
and other disbursements.
- Prepaid taxes, utility
bills and other charges:
The seller may have prepaid some bills before the closing date, which
you will have to cover. All taxes, utility bills, and other charges
incurred after the closing date become your responsibility.
- Provincial tax:
Often referred to as the Land Transfer Tax, this tax is applicable in
most provinces and is usually a percentage of the purchase price. Some
provinces may also charge tax on new construction.
- GST: You pay
GST on the purchase price of a newly constructed home.
- Fire insurance:
Mortgage lenders want you to protect your home -- and their mortgage
collateral -- against fire and weather-related damage so it's necessary
to purchase fire insurance.
- Moving expenses:
Costs will vary, depending on whether you do it yourself, rent a truck,
or hire professional movers.
- Additional expenses:
These could include utility hook-up charges, any repairs you need to
make after buying your home, the cost of appliances and window and floor
coverings.
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