You’ve likely heard about closing costs when selling your house, but do you know everything that they include? Check out our closing cost “FAQ” to learn more about what closing costs are all about.
What Are Closing Costs Exactly in the Greater Cincinnati Area?
Closing costs refer to all of the fees that must be paid at the closing table when you sell your house. Depending on where you live, the fees and costs can vary. But generally, closing costs include, but are not limited to:
- Notary fees
- Recording Fees
- Transfer Costs
- Transfer Taxes
- Appraisal Costs
- Inspection Fees
- Origination Fees
- Title Insurance
- Underwriting Fees
- Bank Fees
- Courier Fees
- Wire Transfer Fees
- Liens against the home will need to be paid to clear the title
- Credit Report Fees
- Administrative Fees
- Attorney Fees, If Applicable
- The balance of your mortgage or loans against the home
- Possibly repairs or pest control (termites) if this has previously been agreed upon
- COMMISSIONS!
Who’s Paying?
While the buyer will usually pick up a number of these costs, it is important to note, that the seller typically pays 100% of the commission. This will be about 6%+ of the final sale price of your house.
So, if you are selling your house for $200,000, you will pay $12,000 in real estate commissions alone! That’s $12,000 that WILL NOT go into your pocket.
Other than your possible mortgage balance, this is by far the biggest cost when it comes to costs at the closing table. Negotiating the other costs during the sale process is becoming increasingly popular. In an effort to lure in more buyers, sellers are more frequently picking up the tab when it comes to the closing costs. Bottom line is that you will have less cash in your pocket after closing.
As a seller, you will also need to pay your share of the year’s property tax, up until the day of closing. Any HOA fees or other community costs should be prorated and paid at this time as well.
What Are Seller Subsidies?
This is an amount negotiated between the buyer and seller. It is the percentage the seller agrees to pay towards the closing costs. For example, you can offer to put 3k towards closing to help relieve some of the costs for your buyer. Overall, paying these subsidies are often a small price to pay to bring buyers to the table!
Can You Avoid These Costs?
Yes! By working with a direct buyer who will pick up all costs associated with the closing! A direct buyer will not charge you a commission, as they are not an agent. Many times, direct buyers will offer pick up all costs, which will save you money and hassle at the closing table.
At We Buy NKY Houses, we are a direct buyer who will buy your home for cash. We buy homes all over Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati in cities like Bellevue, Erlanger, Florence, Fort Thomas, Southgate, Newport, Covington, Park Hills, Fort Wright, Fort Mitchell, Wilder, Alexandria and other NKY cities.
Are Repairs Included?
This is another one that is negotiated between the buyer and the seller. If the home is in need of some obvious repairs, the seller will often take care of these before putting their home on the market. However, if an inspection shows additional repairs are needed, a buyer may make his offer contingent on repairs being made. A buyer and seller can work this out before going to closing.
If you would like to learn more about the selling process or if you have any questions about selling your the Greater Cincinnati Area home, send us an email using this form, or give our office a call now! (859) 412-1940
We buy homes for cash fast in Northern Kentucky. When you sell your home to We Buy NKY Houses, you can avoid all of the fees listed above, including the opportunity costs of holding your home for months longer than needed.
We buy homes in Campbell, Kenton and Boone counties. Give us a call today.