Lets Look at additional costs when purchasing a home
Costs you will always have to pay
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Adjustment costs. (Varies, budget for $1000–$2000) You’ll need to reimburse the previous owner for any utility payments or property taxes that have been paid beyond the closing date.
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Legal fees. ($1000–$2000) Lawyers will need to do paperwork. Make sure you know exactly what they’re charging you for. Keep in mind that this is an approximation—always chat with a lawyer to get the most up-to-date cost.
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Title insurance. (around $300) Your mortgage provider will require this. It may save you from the higher costs of a property survey.
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Property insurance. ($1500 to $3500 at closing, then annually) Your mortgage provider usually requires you to have insurance to cover the replacement value of your home and its contents.
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Moving expenses. (Varies) It could be anything from beer and pizza for your friends, to a well-insured international moving company.
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Utility service charges. ($35–$50 per utility) Check with your utility providers to find out what your exact moving fees will be.
If you put less than 20 % down
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Mortgage insurance. (Between 2.8%-4% of your mortgage amount) If you have a down payment of less than 20% of your mortgage amount, you need to insure your mortgage. This cost can be paid up front or added to your mortgage.
Costs you may have to pay
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Property appraisal. $300–$500. Usually your mortgage provider will ask you to have the property you’re purchasing appraised at your expense. The cost will be higher for large, unique or rural properties.
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Property survey. $1,000–$2,000. Your mortgage provider may want an up-to-date survey. If the seller doesn’t already have one, you’ll have to pay for it. But before you do that, see if your lender will accept title insurance instead—many do.
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Home inspection fee. $350–$1500. We recommend that you get your new home inspected before you purchase. It can save you from very costly surprises after you move in.
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If you are purchasing a rural property you may have a well inspection and water test to confirm its potable, up to $ 500.00.
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Another inspection I would recommend if purchasing a rural property is a septic inspection which can be up to $ 1000.00 if the septic is emptied, depending on time of year.
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Estoppel certificate fee. up to $100. If you’re buying a condo or strata unit, an estoppel certificate lets you know if the previous owner has outstanding payments and the amount of interest owing on unpaid condo contributions.
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Other costs. You may want to add a personal touch to your home when you move in. Updating decor or small renovations are another cost to budget for. Cleaning fees are another consideration. A cleaning company might be used for moving out, moving in or both.
If you’re buying a brand new build
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Goods & Services Tax (GST). (5% of purchase price) If you’re buying a newly built home, you’ll be charged GST. This is usually included in the contract price. But if the new home you’re buying is less than $450,000 and will be your primary residence, you may qualify for a partial rebate. Check out the Revenue Canada website or talk with a real estate accountant for more information.
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New Home Warranty. ($2,000) In Alberta, this is mandatory if you’re building a new home.