If you’re looking to buy your first house or your next house, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and consider all the costs associated with buying.

Your closing costs represent the things you will have to pay for out of your pocket, and the amount of money necessary to finalize the purchase of your new property.

The best time to work through the costs associated with closing your mortgage is before you even start looking for a place to buy. Closing costs should be part of the pre-approval conversation; they are just as important as saving for your downpayment.

Here is a list of the things that will cost you money:

Home Inspection or Appraisal

A home inspection is when you hire a professional to assess the condition of the property to make sure that you won’t be surprised by unexpected issues.

An appraisal is when you hire a professional to compare the value of the property against other properties that have recently sold in the area.

The cost of a home inspection is yours, while the cost of the appraisal can be covered by high-ratio insurance, or sometimes your responsibility depending on your specific circumstances.

Lawyer or Notary Fees

To handle all the legal paperwork, you will be required to hire a real estate lawyer. Chances are, this will be one of your most significant expenses.

Taxes

Depending on which province you live in, and the purchase price of the property you are buying, you might have to pay a property transfer tax or land transfer tax.

Insurance

Before any financial institution lends you money, they will want to see that you already have property/home insurance in place for the purchase.

Unlike property insurance, which is mandatory, you might also consider mortgage insurance, life insurance, or a disability insurance policy that protects you in case of unforeseen events. Not necessary, but worth a conversation.

Moving Expenses

Congratulations, you have a home, now you have to get all your stuff there! Don’t underestimate the cost of moving your stuff.

Utilities

Hooking up new services to a property is more time consuming than costly. However, if you’re moving to a new province or don’t have a history of paying utilities, you might be required to come up with a deposit for services.

So there you have it, this most of the costs associated with buying a new property. However, this list is by no means exhaustive, so if you have any questions about your closing costs, or anything else mortgage-related, contact me anytime, I’d love to hear from you!