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Wondering how much closing costs are in California? Usually, closing costs are between 1% and 3% of the purchase price, which are among the highest in all of the United States. You can avoid some closing costs by paying in cash. If you require financing, you should expect to pay several thousand dollars in closing costs.
Closing costs are the administrative and legal fees a property buyer will incur when finalizing a home sale. Property insurance, prepaid utility bills and title insurance are a few of the expenses that are typically included in closing costs. It’s important to estimate closing costs because they can cost you several thousand dollars.
The average closing cost in California is US$6,537, including taxes, as reported by ClosingCorp. This is approximately 1% to 3% of the purchase price. The average cost of a home in California ranges between US$600,000 and US$700,000.
Common closing costs in California include escrow fees, title insurance, appraisal fees, underwriting fees, notary fees, recording fees, transfer taxes, credit report fees, mortgage origination fees, processing fees, property taxes, hazard insurance and homeowners association dues. These costs can be challenging to estimate, but make sure that you set aside some funds to pay for them.
In Orange County, the down payment is usually between 30% and 40% for foreign buyers. In other parts of California, the required down payment is usually at least 20% for personal property. If you’re purchasing an investment property that will be rented out most of the time, your down payment will likely be closer to 40%.
Your down payment will probably be payable in US dollars, so be mindful of the exchange rates and the additional cost that comes with it. RBC Bank U.S. Mortgages
You might be wondering how much closing costs in California are for the buyer and seller. In California, buyers and sellers usually split the cost, but the buyer absorbs most of it. A breakdown of who typically pays for what can be found below.
Type | Cost |
---|---|
Closing attorney | Varies |
Title search | US$500 to US$1,000 |
Title insurance | US$1,000 to US$2,800 |
Appraisal fee | US$200 to US$600 |
Property inspection fee | US$300 to US$800 |
Origination fee | US$800 to US$950 |
Points (optional) | 1% of the loan amount |
Surveying fee | US$500 to US$900 (based on land size) |
Settlement fee | US$400 to US$700 |
Property tax | Prorated at closing |
Homeowners association fees/condo fees | Prorated at closing, if applicable |
Flood certification | US$11 |
Credit report | US$25 |
Mortgage recording or deed of trust | US$35 |
Homeowners insurance | Varies |
Hazard insurance | Varies |
Mortgage insurance | Up to 1% of mortgage amount |
Archive and courier fee | US$50 to US$120 |
Mello-Roos CFD taxes | Varies |
Type | Cost |
---|---|
Broker fees | Usually 6% of sales price |
Attorney | Varies |
Transfer tax | US$1.10 per US$1,000 of purchase price |
Property tax | Prorated at closing, if applicable |
Document preparation | US$150 to US$250 |
Recording fees | US$125 |
Escrow fees | Varies |
Mortgage payoff | Subject to loan balance |
Courier and wire transfer fee | US$50 to US$150 |
Home warranty fee | Varies |
Homeowners association fees/condo fees | Prorated at closing, if applicable |
Payment of title insurance can be negotiated between the buyer and the seller. However, in Southern California, the cost is usually paid for by the seller. In Northern California, the buyer usually pays.
Many Canadian lenders do not offer mortgages for US real estate purchases since they usually don’t have legal jurisdiction in the US. The only exception is Canadian lenders that also operate in the US. Before applying with a Canadian lender, be sure to understand the lender’s jurisdiction and whether the state where you want to make a purchase is included.
If you can’t find a Canadian lender that operates in the state you want, you can always work with a local US lender. Finding a creditor who will work with you won’t be as challenging as you think. There are many Canadian snowbirds who spend the winter months in a summer home in the US.
California’s housing market is one of the hottest in the US due to low supply and high demand. The market moves extremely fast because of this. If you don’t move as quickly as the market, you can lose deals and get knocked out of preapproved ranges.
Like anywhere else, you will need to pay condo fees in California. These are the costs to maintain the property and amenities. You will also need to pay homeowner association fees, which can fluctuate a lot, putting pressure on your finances. Furthermore, individual homeowners have the power to bring a lawsuit against the homeowners association. This can severely impact an owner’s ability to refinance or sell their condo in the future.
When you purchase a co-op, you actually aren’t purchasing real estate. Rather, you’re purchasing shares in a corporation that owns the property you will live in. All of the residents of the property are shareholders. The corporation has a board of directors and is typically viewed as a not-for-profit organization. Similarly to condos, residents of a co-op are required to pay operating costs to maintain the property.
Because you’re not purchasing real estate, you would not obtain a mortgage to buy a co-op. Instead, you would finance the purchase with a regular loan. This can be more challenging to qualify for because of the high loan amount and lack of security.
Closing costs in California are around US$6,457 or 2% to 3% of the purchase price. California is one of the more expensive states for Canadian snowbirds to buy real estate, so be sure to set some funds aside for closing costs, most of which the buyer is responsible for.
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