Couillard’s Corner – Up Front Costs of Buying A Home
Listen to Ashley Brownfield explain what the up front costs are when you’re buying a house! Inspections, appraisals, etc.
Appraisal – typically between $350 and $450
Paid up front in some cases in which you’ll get a credit for at closing. Some lenders will have you pay this through closing instead of up front.
Home Inspection – typically $350-400
Inspectors perform thorough inspections to help you get to know the condition of the property you are about to buy or sell, and give you the confidence you need to make an informed decision. Our preferred inspectors will inspect the following:
- Structure / Foundation
- Basement / Crawl Space
- Roof / Attic
- Heating / Cooling
- Ventilation
- Electrical
- Plumbing
Termite Inspection – $45 to $55
This is often required by your lender. Termites only need a crack 1/32 inch wide to enter a building. Here are four ways they sneak in:
- Through cracks in the foundation around plumbing
- Through expansion joints
- Inside hollow block walls
- Up the side of foundation walls and piers
Radon Inspection – typically $95 to $105
Tests for high levels of Radon. Any reported level over 4.0 should be mitigated.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. You can’t see or smell radon. Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. It can have a big impact on indoor air quality.
Sewer Scope Inspection – typically $200 to $250
Determines the condition of the sewer lines on the property.
RURAL AREA Recommendations: Well and Septic Inspections –
Well $240 to $450
Septic $175 to $225
Earnest Money – Wide Range
Earnest Money, or money paid to confirm a contract, is offered along side an offer to purchase a home. It can vary from as low as $500 and all the way up to $5,000. Your agent will help explain this process when you’ve decided to make an offer. If you’d like to learn more now, you can check out this past Couillard’s Corner episode about Earnest Money by clicking here.