Costs Associated with Buying a Home in Florida

You are ready to buy your Florida home and start enjoying the Florida Lifestyle.  You should know of a few of the costs associated with buying a home before you start your home buying process.  The first expense is your down payment for financing. Unless you are a veteran and eligible to use your VA benefits on your home purchase, you will need to have down payment money.  Veterans can get 100% financing when using a VA Guaranteed loan.  There is a nominal VA funding fee.  Before we talk about down payments remember that you can receive funds as a gift from a relative but the funds must be sourced. That means that the person giving you the funds will be required to provide a bank statement showing the funds in their account and then the funds not int heir account and you as the borrower will be required to do the same.

FHA insured home loans require 3.5% of the purchase price as down payment and Conventional home loans can range from 10%-20% depending on the borrower.  You can ask the person you are buying the home from to assist you with some of your up front expenses but keep in mind that when you do so, your asking them to give you money at the closing so you may not want to ask for too much more off of the asking price if you really want the house.  Consult with your lender as to which loan program is best for you and what your down payment cost will be.

You will also have to pay for your home inspection. When financing a home you will have to do the minimum 4 point inspection just to get homeowners insurance. Insurance is a condition of your home loan and you are required to maintain insurance for the life of your loan.  Home Inspection rates vary based on the size of the home. Here is a link to an article by HomeAdvisor regarding home inspection rates.

Other costs associated with buying a home include your appraisal and survey.  Your appraisal will determine the value of the home and is required by mortgage lenders to verify that the loans collateral (the house) is worth what is being borrowed.  Your survey is required to transfer title. It is a land survey to verify that the home has no unusual room additions or encroachments and it will clearly define the properties boundaries.  You may be buying a home with a pool or a septic tank and want those inspected as well.  You will be responsible for those expenses as well.  

I am your local real estate professional in Pasco county Florida.  Contact me anytime with any of your real estate questions.