Congratulations! You are in the final stretch! However, the joy of finalizing the real estate deal brings with it the stress of financial planning. A rookie mistake that can land you in hot water is not considering buyers closing costs in Vermont.
Key Takeaways
- Closing costs, also known as “settlement costs,” are the final expenses to complete the real estate transaction.
- Closing costs are separate from the price of the property.
- The 3 major Buyer Closing Costs in Vermont are:
- 1. Loan Origination Fee
- 2. Escrow or Impound Account
- 3. Inspection and Appraisal Fees
- Due to local tax rates, closing costs for buyer in Vermont also depends on where the buyer lives.
- The buyer can negotiate certain closing costs with the seller and the lender.
💰 CALCULATE YOUR CLOSING COSTS
What are Closing Costs in Vermont?
Closing costs in Vermont are a set of expenses that the seller and the buyer must pay to finalize the real estate transaction and transfer the ownership of the house.
Who Pays Closing Costs in Vermont?
Both sellers and buyers pay certain closing costs when finalizing the real estate transaction.
In some cases, the seller may offer to pay the buyer closing costs to improve the prospects of selling their home faster. They may also offer to cover an incentive for buyers to remove certain terms and contingencies from the sales contract.
» Who Pays Closing Cost in Vermont: We explain who should pay closing costs in Vermont in our post.
How Much are Closing Costs in Vermont for Buyers?
Average closing costs in Vermont for buyers tend to be between 2%-5% of the sales price. Currently, the typical home price in the state is $374,414. This means a buyer may end up paying $7,488 – $18,720 as closing costs.
Typical Closing Costs for Buyers in Vermont
If you are a buyer, here are some closing costs you may have to pay when buying a house.
1. Application Fee
The application fee is an upfront fee lenders charge when you submit your loan application. Mortgage lenders in Vermont typically charge 0.5%-1% of the loan amount as an application fee.
This is a non-refundable charge. So, you will not get this money back even if your loan application is rejected. Some lenders collect the application fee as a deposit for closing costs, while others charge it as a separate fee.
Not all mortgage companies in Vermont charge an application fee.
2. Appraisal Fee Vermont
It is a common practice for lenders to hire an appraiser to determine the fair market value of the property you want to purchase before granting the loan amount. This helps them determine the loan amount and the loan-to-value ratio.
The appraiser has to be compensated whether the mortgage gets approved or rejected. Hence, the appraisal fee needs to be paid upfront.
Your real estate agents may include an appraisal contingency clause in the sales contract, especially if you need a mortgage. This gives you the right to walk away with your earnest deposit if the appraised home value does not match the agreed-upon price.
» Cost of an Appraisal in Vermont: Look at the home appraisal costs in Vermont carefully.
3. Attorney Fee
The state of Vermont mandates the presence of a real estate attorney at closing. Some instances where the services of a real estate attorney can prove helpful are joint ownership of the house, private loans from family or friends, the presence of easements on the property, etc.
Real estate attorneys draft and review the purchase agreement and transfer of title on behalf of the lender while also offering advice on negotiations.
The attorney fee depends on your area of residence in the state and the number of hours of service you require.
4. Closing Fee/ Escrow Fee Vermont
The escrow or settlement agent charges a closing fee for the disbursement of funds between the buyer and the seller. Your attorney can be your settlement agent in Vermont.
5. Courier Fee
The courier fee covers the cost of sending the documents to various parties. The buyer pays the courier fee.
6. Credit Reporting Fee
Credit reporting fee is the cost of obtaining a credit report. The lender will analyze your credit report to estimate your ability to pay back the mortgage. They may request your credit report multiple times during the loan application process to ensure there is no negative changes.
If you are sharing the mortgage with another borrower, the lender will request their credit report as well.
7. Discount Points/ Mortgage Points
You can lower or buy down your mortgage interest rate by purchasing discount points from the lender. It is a prepaid interest you can pay upfront to lower your monthly mortgage payments.
The lender charges a fee to lower a set amount of interest rate called points. The value of discount points is based on the type of loan and prevailing mortgage rates and is decided by the lender. Generally, one discount point can be bought for a fee of 1% of the mortgage amount. Typically, lenders slash the interest rate by 0.25% for every discount point.
» Where to Get Preapproval for a Mortgage: Don’t have a mortgage loan? We have a guide to help you find preapproval for a mortgage.
8. FHA Mortgage Insurance
All FHA loans require mortgage insurance. If you are opting for this type of loan, you are required to pay an upfront premium and an additional annual fee. The amount of these payments is based on the size of the loan.
FHA loans are designed to help moderate-income buyers with lower credit scores become homeowners. It is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
9. Flood Certification Fee
If the property you intend to purchase is in or around a flood zone according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps, you must acquire a flood certification. This report is used by the lender to determine if special flood insurance is required.
10. HOA Transfer Fee Vermont
If the seller is a part of the Homeowner Association, at the time of closing, the ownership of the house needs to be transferred from the seller to you in the HOA records. The HOA transfer fee is a one-time non-negotiable charge you must pay the HOA to update their records.
11. Homeowner’s Insurance
Most lenders require you to purchase homeowner insurance before they finance the loan, as it protects their investment. Homeowner’s insurance premiums are usually a part of the escrow funds.
12. Lead-based Paint Inspection
If you are purchasing a house built before 1978, you must get a lead-based paint inspection done. The cost of the inspection varies according to the size and location of the property.
Moreover, according to the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, you can conduct a lead-based paint within 10 days of signing the contract. If lead hazards are identified, you can cancel the contract without any penalty. Some buyers may waive off this right.
However, the law does not require the seller to conduct or pay for the inspection.
13. Lender’s Title Insurance
Mortgage lenders will require you to purchase a lender’s title insurance. It protects them against loss over potential defects in the title or legal claims over the house. The lender’s title insurance must cover the full amount of the loan.
» Title Insurance Rates in Vermont: Need to protect your investment? Here’s how much it will cost.
14. Loan Origination Fee
Once the mortgage has been approved, the lender charges an upfront loan origination fee to process the loan. The lender will inform you about this charge before the loan is processed.
15. Mortgage Escrow Account/Impound Account
The lender may open a new escrow account or use the previously established one to pay the property tax and premiums for homeowner’s insurance and mortgage insurance. The escrow funds are deposited from the monthly mortgage payments. The impound account is managed by a mortgage servicer who will make the payments on your behalf.
16. Private Mortgage Insurance
If you opt for a conventional loan and make a down payment of less than 20%, your lender will require you to buy Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
You can choose to pay the complete or a partial amount of PMI upfront to lower your monthly mortgage payments.
17. Pest Inspection Fee
A pest inspection is usually required if the appraiser observes any signs of structural damage due to pest infestation. However, some lenders require an official report by licensed home inspectors in Vermont before approving the mortgage.
In Vermont, a pest inspection is required before a VA loan can be closed.
» Home Inspection VT: Get a comprehensive home inspection to spot any prospective issues like pests, termites, water damage, and more.
18. Prepaid Daily Interest Charges
The monthly mortgage payment is due on the 1st of every month, starting 30 days after closing. However, the interest on the mortgage starts accumulating from the day of closing itself. You must pay the accrued interest from the closing day to the first mortgage payment as closing expenses. These are called prepaid daily interest charges.
So, for instance, if you purchase a house on the 4th June, your first mortgage payment will be due on the 1st August. You will have to pay the accrued interest on the loan from 4th June to 31st July at the time of closing.
19. Property Tax
Homeowners pay property tax to the local government. The amount of property tax is proportional to the market value of the house. Buyer property tax starts to accrue from the day of closing.
Lenders often require buyers to pay one year’s worth of property tax in advance at closing. These funds are usually collected and paid via the escrow account.
20. Rate Lock Fee
A rate lock fee is the cost of fixing the mortgage interest rate at a specific price for a set period. Locking the interest rate keeps you safe from the real estate housing market Vermont fluctuations. Keep in mind that once the rate lock period expires, most lenders charge an additional fee to extend it.
While a rate lock can save a significant amount of money in interest, it is important to note that lenders can void the rate lock at any point if your debt-to-income ratio increases and your credit score declines.
21. Recording Fee
A recording fee is paid to the local government to register the change in ownership of a house or sale of a property in the public record. Additionally, it records mortgages and other liens against the house. It is usually charged by the county.
22. Survey Fee
A survey fee is paid to a professional surveyor who creates a drawing of the property highlighting its boundaries, easements, improvements, and the physical features of the land, like home elevation, etc. It will give you a better idea of the property you are buying in an official and legal capacity.
While land surveys are not mandatory in Vermont, lenders and title companies may at times require the report to issue lender’s title insurance.
The survey fee depends on factors like the dimensions of the property, its terrain, and accessibility.
» Types of Title Insurance in Vermont: Home buyers should get title insurance to protect their interests. We explain what it covers in detail.
23. Tax Monitoring/Tax Status Research Fee
A tax monitoring fee is paid to a tax service agency that monitors if you pay the property tax on time. The tax service agency alerts the lender in case you default. It is also sometimes referred to as a tax service fee.
Lenders opt for tax monitoring to prevent tax liens and protect their access to the property.
24. Title Fees Vermont
A title agency charges a title search fee to determine the legal ownership of a property by examining public records like deeds, tax liens, land records, court judgments, etc. The title search helps discover any liens or claims on the property that the seller may also be unaware of.
» What is Lenders Title Insurance: Look at our detailed insight into the title insurance expenses.
25. Transfer Tax
Transfer tax is levied by the municipality, county, or state to the transfer of ownership of the house from the seller to the owner. The tax amount is based on the market value of the property. The transfer tax is also called deed tax, mortgage registry tax, and stamp tax.
So, who pays county transfer tax in Vermont, and who pays city transfer tax in Vermont? Usually, the seller pays both transfer taxes. However, the buyer must pay the transfer tax if the seller does not or if it has been negotiated as a buyer closing cost.
26. Underwriting Fee
Mortgage underwriters charge an underwriting fee to evaluate and verify loan applications. It is a one-time fee Some lenders charge it in place of the originating fee, while others charge it in addition to the same.
27. VA Funding Fee
The VA funding fee is a one-time fee paid to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) that runs the VA loan program. The VA fee you have to pay depends on the down payment they make for a property. if you make a down payment of less than 5%, you have to pay a VA fee of 2.3% for your first home and 3.6% on any subsequent homes.
| Down Payment | VA Fee for 1st Loan | VA Fee for Subsequent Loans |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5% | 2.3% | 3.6% |
| 5% or more | 1.65% | 1.65% |
| 10% or more | 1.4% | 1.4% |
How to Reduce Closing Costs in Vermont?
1. Opt for a real estate broker who offers a rebate program
The best mortgage brokers in Vermont may offer you incentives like rebates that help lower closing costs and/or buy down the mortgage interest. Real estate agent services are free for buyers as sellers pay the agent commission for both parties.
2. Compare lender mortgage rates
You can compare lenders to choose the one offering the best mortgage rates and benefits. If you have a preferred bank, you can also negotiate the mortgage rate with them. Further, if you have received an offer with a lower rate from a different lender, you can share it with the preferred bank and ask if they can match or beat it.
3. Compare loan estimate forms
Lenders are required to give you a loan estimate form within 3 days of completing the loan application. The document list all costs, including the loan amount, interest rate, and monthly payments. It also has a section called “services you can shop for,” where you can compare various lender-preferred vendors. Nonetheless, this does not mean that you cannot opt for independently chosen vendors.
However, it must be noted that independently choosing vendors carries the risk of increased closing costs if they increase their pricing before closing. Lender-provided vendors are not allowed to change their prices by more than 10% from the original quote.
4. Negotiate lender fee
As mentioned above, some lenders charge origination and/or underwriting fee. You can request the lender to waive these fees or negotiate a lower charge.
5. Close at the end of the month
By closing at the end of the month, you can save on the prepaid daily interest charges.
Here’s you can calculate the prepaid daily interest savings:
Step 1: Multiply the loan amount by the interest rate. For instance, if the rate is 5 percent, multiply by .05. This will give the annual interest expense.
Step 2: Divide the annual interest expense by 360 to get the daily interest charge.
Step 3: Multiply the figure calculated in the previous step by the number of days left in the month plus the first day of the following month.
6. Opt for the no-closing cost option
You can avoid paying closing costs at the time of closing, especially if you are strapped for cash, by rolling these costs in the mortgage. However, lenders that offer this no-closing cost option charge a higher interest rate in exchange for it.
7. Minimize requests
Making demands can make the deal slow and troublesome for both parties. You should make minimal requests, so the seller is more willing to cover some of the closing costs. If there are too many inconveniences, the seller may question your genuineness and feel a need to back out.
8. Make it quick and hassle-free
Most of the sellers aren’t happy dealing with the lengthy transaction. As much as possible, you must keep the transaction straightforward without beating the bush.
9. Ask the seller to cover closing costs
Depending on the market conditions, you can negotiate the deal with the seller by requesting them to cover some of the closing costs for buyers in Vermont or offer credits towards closing costs.
Closing Cost Calculator Vermont
Closing costs vary heavily according to location and mortgage rates. Houzeo’s Closing Costs Calculator is a free tool that factors in these elements to help you calculate closing costs in Vermont. It shows the user a detailed list of itemized costs and highlights junk costs that can be avoided.
To find the estimated buyer closing costs, the buyers have to add the property location, home purchase price, and the down payment in the Buyer Closing Cost Calculator.
» Buyer Closing Costs Calculator Vermont: Check out the closing costs calculator for a buyer for calculating the closing costs for the buyer.
Conclusion
If you have not begun your real estate journey yet, opt for Houzeo. Houzeo.com, a tech company, provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings, cutting-edge technology, and 5-star customer support.
With its 100% virtual service, it helps home sellers list their property without any hassle from the comfort of their homes, while also allowing home buyers to explore properties and make offers online.
Houzeo’s customer-centric approach, advanced technology, and flat fee packages make it an ideal choice for those looking to avoid paying high commissions and closing costs.
» Houzeo Intellilist: Check out Houzeo.com’s reviews before listing your house!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are HOA fees tax deductible in Vermont?
HOA fees are not generally tax deductible. However, if you are self-employed and have a home office or use part of your home to store inventory, you may be able to write it off in your taxes. HOA can also be tax deductible if you rent the house.
2. How is closing cost for buyers in Vermont calculated?
Closing costs are a sum of specific settlement expenses. These vary according to the location, mortgage rates, and market conditions. Houzeo's closing cost calculator is a free tool buyers can use to get a close estimate of their settlement costs.
3. What are the closing costs for a buyer in Vermont?
The closing costs for a buyer in Vermont are Application Fee, Appraisal Fee, Attorney Fee, Closing Fee/ Escrow Fee, Courier Fee, and Credit Reporting Fee among other fees. Find out more about Vermont buyer closing costs.
Also Read
- Vermont Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement: What the seller should inform you about the condition of your house in Vermont.
- Best Real Estate Websites Vermont: The majority of homebuyers and home sellers go through a real estate website before reaching out to a realtor. Read our list of the top real estate websites in Vermont.
- Best Realtors in the US: Check our rankings of the top REALTORS in the US.
Resources for Sellers
- Average Closing Costs for Seller in VT: Closing costs for sellers is different from the expenses of buyers. We explain them in detail in our post.
- Flat Fee MLS Vermont: Want to list your house on the MLS at an affordable cost? List it on a Vermont multiple listing service.
- Free Websites to List for Sale by Owner: For sale by owner websites can help you list a property without the assistance of a real estate agent.
- How to Flip Houses in Vermont: Flipping homes has become a trend in recent years. We have a guide to help you understand the process.
Resources for Buyers
- FSBO VT: FSBO is getting popular among sellers. Look at these properties if you’re interested in buying directly from the seller.
- For Sale by Owner Buyer Agent Commission: Curious about FSBO buyer agent commission? We explain in detail.
- Best Time to Buy a House in Vermont: If you want to buy a property in Vermont, we can explain the process to you.
- Buying a House Vermont: Understand the buying process in Vermont before taking the leap.
- Best Mortgage Brokers in Vermont: We have a list of some of the most reliable mortgage companies in Vermont.
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