VA Construction Loans

The Cost of Homeownership

One of the common errors made by people buying homes is to think that the only cost will be monthly payments of principal and interest on the mortgage. It is important to keep in mind that there are other items which have to be paid which add up to a substantial outlay. Before you buy, be sure that your income is sufficient to cover all of the cost which you will have to pay.

INITIAL CASH OUTLAY -- CLOSING COSTS

First, you must have enough cash to make a downpayment, if required. (The downpayment is the difference between the purchase price and the amount of the loan which the lender will make to you.)

Then, in addition to the downpayment, you will have to pay for a number of items commonly called "closing costs." These costs, which can be substantial, must be paid in cash at the time the loan is made.

The term "closing costs" generally refers to all charges paid for obtaining the mortgage loan and transferring real estate title. While the sharing of closing cost items between buyer and seller may be agreed to in the contract of purchase, all or a significant part of the closing costs are frequently paid by the buyer.

Among the items which the buyer may be required to pay for are title search, title insurance (a lender's policy and, if desired, a buyer's policy), survey, credit report, appraisal fee and related compliance inspection fee, if needed, recording fee, State and/or local transfer taxes, a VA funding fee, discount points and a lender's origination fee (usually 1 percent of the loan amount; for example, $500 on a $50,000 loan). The purpose of the origination fee is to cover certain costs to the lender in making the loan, if these costs are not paid itembyitem by the borrower.

Certain other costs, technically referred to as "prepaid items," must be paid by the buyer at the time of loan closing. Among such costs are the buyer's share of the current year's real estate taxes and the first year's premium for hazard insurance. These costs also become part of the recurring costs of homeownership due each year.

If you are purchasing a home in an area where title insurance is the method used to assure good title to the property, it is advisable to inquire about the existing title insurance policies (lender's and seller's) on the property, for it may be possible for you to obtain a policy at a reissue rate. The reissue rate is usually lower than the original rate and may be available for both lender's and buyer's policies. Reissue rates are usually limited to the reissuance of a policy on the same property by the same title company that insured title in the present owner within 10 years. Some title insurers will extend the reissue rate to policies written by other companies. Your seller will probably have the information about the date, type, and amount of any existing policy or policies that you need to support a request to the title company for the reissue rate.

VA Construction Loans

1. Introduction
2. The Cost of Homeownership
3. Equal Housing Opportunity
4. Future Costs of Homeownership
5. Finding a Suitable and Affordable Home (part 1)
6. Finding a Suitable and Affordable Home (part 2)
7. Finding a Suitable and Affordable Home (part 3)
8. The Agreement to Purchase the Home
9. Final Settlement / Closing the Loan
10. Before and After Moving Day