May 01, 2018
You’re trawling real estate sites and popping into open houses every Saturday. You’ve done your calculations, spoken to your mortgage adviser, and know roughly what you can afford to spend on your first home.
The advertised price of the property, though, is only one expense you will have when buying your first home.
So you don’t get caught unawares, we’ve pulled together the main costs you will need to think about when purchasing your home.
Loan-deposit
To secure your home, you will need to put down a deposit. Usually, this is 20 percent of the sale price. As you need to pay the deposit up front, make sure you’ve made arrangements before making an offer on a property.
Loan application and establishment fee
When you take out a loan, you will need to pay processing fees. This fee will vary between lenders but is usually no more than $750.
Mortgage insurance
If you are not paying the full 20 percent deposit on your home, your lender may require you to pay lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI). LMI may be payable in other circumstances as well. Your Smartline Adviser can help you calculate these costs.
Valuation fee
The lender will need to arrange a valuation of the property before settlement. This usually costs around $250.
Conveyancing and legal fees
There are intricate legalities to buying a house. Most people opt for hiring a conveyancer or lawyer to ensure the transaction is smooth. Conveyancing costs will vary but are often around $1,800.
Stamp duty
Stamp duty is the tax you pay for purchasing a property. Stamp duty varies state to state, and there are often exceptions for first home buyers. Use our stamp duty calculator to work out what you will need to pay.
Mortgage registration
You will also need to pay a fee to the Government to register your mortgage. Again, these fees vary between states but are less than $200.
House inspection reports
Arrange building and pest inspections before you settle on your property. You need to know there are no hidden problems, like termites, or structural damage. Building and pest inspection costs will vary but talk to your Adviser or real estate agent about who they can recommend. An inspection can cost around $600.
Strata inspection reports
If you are purchasing a unit or apartment, you will need to organise a strata report, which will list current issues with the building, and identify items that will incur future expenses.
Council rates
All property owners need to pay council and water rates. These rates vary between councils and are calculated on the value of your property. Talk to the selling agent about council rates you will be expected to pay. This will be an ongoing expense.
Strata Fees
If you are buying a unit, you may be up for ongoing strata fees, which are put towards maintenance costs for the common property, like driveways and foyers.
Insurance
The lender will require you to have home insurance. This needs to be organised before you settle. Insurance rates vary, so shop around. There are different types of insurance you can take out, too, including home, home & contents and life insurance.
Removalist costs
Once you’ve purchased your property, you will need to move in. Make sure you’ve budgeted for removals costs.
I can help you calculate your costs, so make sure you book an appointment and have a chat with me today on 0400 042 034
