Each step in the process of selling your home on the traditional market comes with a cost. Then, after all of the anticipation, you have finally sold your home, and the new focus becomes the complex closing process wherein the title on the home transfers to the new owners. So often, sellers’ purchase of their next home depends on the proceeds from the sale, and unforeseen hurdles at the closing soon create a nightmarish flurry of problems and more cumbersome paperwork.
The process can be overwhelming to first-time sellers; being caught off guard at closing is more than unpleasant. Deductions made from the proceeds of a traditional real estate transaction can quickly dwindle the amount of cash you’ll have in hand when you walk away from the closing table. For sellers, closing costs can add up to eight to ten percent of the proceeds or more. Therefore, sellers must be aware of the expenses associated with this process to walk into the closing with realistic expectations. We will explore what Columbia home sellers need to know about the closing costs.
Mortgage Balance
Columbia home sellers need to know about prepayment penalties on the mortgage or equity loan payoffs in the closing costs. It’s possible to lose money on the sale after paying exorbitant penalty fees. However, in the best-case scenario, your final sales price pays off the balances on any loans and leaves you with a profit.
Commissions and Fees
Real estate agents charge Columbia home sellers a commission for their services, paid at the closing. Sellers also pay the agents commissions for the buyers from the proceeds of the sale. The typical amount is six percent of the home’s final sales price, divided between your real estate agent and the agent for the buyers. Often, the buyers and sellers split the escrow fees depending upon the terms of the contract.
Taxes and Document Fees
Naturally, sellers must pay any taxes still due on the property in full before the title transfers and the document recorded, for which sellers will pay a fee at closing. Thus, transfer taxes are another closing cost Columbia home sellers will pay when the title transfers to the buyer.
Title Insurance
Columbia home sellers need to know about the title insurance, protecting the buyers from possible title defects, typically paid from the sellers closing costs for the buyers.
Legal Fees
Often Columbia, home sellers hire attorneys to represent their interest at closing and need to know these attorney fees may be part of the closing costs.
Other Expenses
These costs, while not taken from the proceeds directly, should still be considered. In addition, you may need to consider any effect the sale may have on your income taxes and any capital gains. These include the title company, which may charge fees, depending upon the services they provide. Additional expenses that Columbia home sellers should be aware of are the remaining balance of any existing liens or judgments against the property, any homeowner association fees that may be due as well as prorated property taxes. In addition, sellers must complete any agreements for repairs or any other improvements in the sales contract as out-of-pocket expenses before closing. If you sweetened the deal by offering to pay the buyers closing costs, these would also come out of the final proceeds. Finally, sellers must have also paid any other service providers involved in the transaction at this time.
Lucas Properties
Pay no closings costs! Working with a direct buyer from Lucas Properties is an alternative that makes it easy for Columbia home sellers to save the closing costs for themselves and avoid the hassles of traditional closings. At Lucas Properties, our direct buyers will take the time to outline your profits on the sale through a traditional real estate listing so you can compare realistic numbers against our fair offer for your home as-is. Decide for yourself if a direct sale for cash to Lucas Properties is best for your situation. At Lucas Properties, we don’t charge commissions, and no hidden fees are coming off the top of your profits. With simple contracts and no wire transfers to worry about with Lucas Properties, your guaranteed closing can be in a matter of a few days. Relax, if your new home isn’t ready, Lucas Properties has the flexibility to set the closing for a convenient date. Without all of the complications, making a direct sale to Lucas Properties means you don’t need to worry about prepping, repairing, staging, marketing expenses, or even a final cleaning; just move what you want in your new home and leave the rest to us. At Lucas Properties, our direct buyers have years of experience with many unique circumstances at play; they are happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about the process, with absolutely no obligation. Call Lucas Properties at 803-216-5750 or send us a message to learn more.