Iowa home buyers spend $3,146 on average in closing. These are out-of-pocket expenses you need to finance, buy, and own your home. Buyer closing costs largely depend on the location and can add up to several thousand dollars in some areas of the Hawkeye State.
This hefty amount may startle first-time home buyers busy saving up for the down payment. As a rule of thumb, set aside 2% to 5% of the purchase price to cover the closing costs in Iowa.
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📌 KEY TAKEAWAYS
- How Much are a Buyer’s Closing Costs in Iowa: Typical closing costs for a buyer in Iowa range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price.
- What Do Buyer Closing Costs Include: Buyer closing costs include one-time expenses such as loan origination, notary, recording, and appraisal fees. They also cover recurring expenses like property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.
- How to Reduce Closing Expenses: You can request seller concessions, compare lenders, or apply for closing cost assistance programs.
What are Closing Costs in Iowa?
Closing costs are the fees you pay to acquire a mortgage and buy a home. There are three categories of buyer closing costs:
- Property Related Costs: These include the costs to inspect, appraise, and survey the property. Additionally, taxes such as property tax and transfer tax also fall in this category.
- Paperwork Related Costs: These consist of real estate attorney fees, recording fees, notary fees, etc.
- Mortgage Application Costs: This includes the money you spend to finance your new home. Expenses like loan origination fees, application fees, processing fees, etc., come under this category.
For home buyers in Iowa, closing costs are an out-of-pocket expenditure. You cover them using a cashier’s check or with a wire transfer.
Who Pays Closing Costs in Iowa, Buyer or Seller?
In most Iowa real estate transactions, buyers and sellers share the closing costs. But buyers cover most of them. You can negotiate with the seller for concessions.
Home sellers can offer concessions only up to a certain percentage of the sale value. The seller concessions limit varies per the loan type and is as follows:
» Who Pays Closing Costs in Iowa: Learn Who Covers the Major Chunk of Closing Costs.
How Much are Closing Costs in Iowa for Buyers?
Home buyers in the Hawkeye State can expect to pay 2% to 5% in closing costs. However, to estimate your closing costs more accurately, use the Iowa buyer closing costs calculator below:
How Much are Closing Costs on a Cash Deal in Iowa?
Cash home buyers pay lower closing fees or settlement charges. Iowa closing costs for cash buyers are around 1% of the purchase price.
Cash home sales don’t have a financing contingency. So, you skip mortgage closing costs as a cash buyer. Additionally, most cash buyers purchase homes as is which further helps them save on appraisal and inspection costs.
You can use the closing costs calculator for cash buyers in Iowa to get an estimate of closing your expenses.
What is Included in Closing Costs for Buyers in Iowa?
Here are some of the most common estimated closing costs for a buyer in Iowa:
| Loan Application Fee | $150 to $500 |
| Loan Origination Fee | 0.5% to 1.5% of the mortgage value |
| Home Appraisal Fee | $300 to $450 |
| Real Estate Attorney | $90 to $450 per hour |
| Courier Fee | $30 to $50 |
| Credit Report Fee | $10 to $100 |
| Title Search Fee | $60 to $200 |
| Title Insurance Fee | $1.10 per thousand |
| Discount Points | 1% of the mortgage value |
| Escrow Funds | At least 2 months of mortgage payments |
| Transfer Tax | 0.16% of the purchase price |
| Home Inspection Fee | $200 to $350 |
| Home Owners Insurance | $1,600 per year |
| Recording Fee | $120 to $150 |
Additional Buyer Closing Costs Per the Loan Type
You might have to bear additional buyer closing costs in Iowa if you opt for a specific type of loan. These may include the following:
| Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) | 0.5% – 1% of your loan amount |
| FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums | 1.75% of the loan amount |
| VA Funding Fee | 1.25% to 2.15% of the loan amount |
| USDA Guarantee Fee | 1% of the loan amount |
How to Avoid Paying Closing Costs When Buying a House?
There is no way to waive home-buying closing costs completely. However, here are some tips that can bring down your Iowa buyer closing cost estimates:
- Ask for Seller Concessions: Before negotiating closing costs, check home prices and future price forecasts. You can then ask the seller for concessions or credits depending on the number of available houses for sale in Iowa and market conditions.
- Shop for Mortgage Lenders: Research mortgage lenders in Iowa and compare their rates. Choose a lender that has a lower mortgage cost and offers competitive rates for the loan of your choice.
- Research Closing Costs Assitance Programs: There are grants to assist buyers with government loan closing costs. Typically, local or state housing authorities or nonprofits offer these grants. Research the eligibility criteria for each type of grant before you apply.
Bottom Line
Buyers’ closing costs in Iowa typically range from 2% to 3% of the purchase price, depending on the type of loan, estimated home value, sale contingencies, and local laws. You can negotiate seller credits, lender terms, or opt for a no-closing-cost mortgage.
Ensure you account for the closing amount while you are busy saving up for the down payment. Review the closing disclosure to know the exact closing estimates. Apart from funds, review and bring all the documents needed at closing
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