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Upfront purchase costs
When we think of buying a house, the first thing that comes to mind is the downpayment. It is what is most talked about, so we expect this one. There are, however, some other places where having some extra money may be helpful. Having money set aside for home upgrades, taxes, and utility set-up are some of the few things that should be thought of.
Taxes
When having to pay for property taxes, you will be required to pay the amount that is owed on the days remaining of the fiscal year.
Utilities
If this is your first home when setting up utilities, the utility company may ask for a deposit until you are able to establish more of a history with them.
Photo by Son Thien Cao on Unsplash
Legal Fees
You will also come across legal fees. Depending on which home builder you chose to buy from, some may have a discounted price to offer (so be sure to ask)
Landscaping Deposits
You may also see that your home does not come with complete landscaping. You will likely be required to pay a deposit to the developer until you are able to complete your landscaping (to which you will get that money back). This often ranges anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000 depending on neighbourhood. This is meant to ensure that the area remains green and presentable to the developers standards.
Additional Home Items
Lastly, you will want some money aside for items like decks, blinds/curtains, appliances, and of course furniture/decor. Home upgrades may also be something you can pay in cash on top of the home purchase.
