[cercis]

We've had at least 2 threads about buying a house. Let's consolidate the info here.

1) Closing Costs - This will vary greatly.

I can't find my paperwork right off hand (it's been one week and already it's lost? Please let it be packed away somewhere), but here's what I remember as the buyer

Mortgage fee - don't remember a cost, but this is negotiable

Survey - $350-600

Appraisal - $175-350

Inspection (not required but a really good idea) - $50-100

Pest inspection (again not required but good idea) - $50-100

Title fee - $75-500 (this might be negotiable, you should ask)

Recording fee - mortgage/deed of trust and deed - this depends on your county in my county it is $20 for first page and $4 for each additional page - it was over $90.

Attorney fees - could be negotiable - $400-$1,000

Prorated taxes - not negotiable and varies greatly depending on the tax rate in your city/county/state and what time of the year you buy it.

House insurance premium - $1,000-$3,000 - definitely call around to find out the best rate. Ask about the discount to move your cars (and check that premium as well). For us, it worked better to leave the cars and the house with separate insurers.

Interest until the first payment is due (this could be 45 days or more - we closed 11/21 and our first payment is 12/1).

If it is escrowed, they will also want to start with the full amount of escrow "cushion" they require - in my case it was close to $500.

With our down payment and all the other fees we ended up paying about $6,300. We didn't put down much at all - only 3% so we could have money to make necessary updates and repairs without having to take out a home improvement loan.

I'm leaving out something, I know I am, please, everyone list what you can remember and feel free to correct my figures.