An End and a Beginning

While closing is the last step in your home buying process, it’s just the beginning of the new chapter of your life! It’s an exciting time – but it’s important to remain focused. Closing is when all the paperwork comes together. You’ll be signing on a lot of dotted lines, a lot of money will change hands and you’ll get the keys to your new house!

After signing all the closing documents, you’re officially responsible for your new home and mortgage. Your Five Points Bank mortgage loan specialist will be right there with you to explain all the paperwork, but here’s a few things to expect.

Loan-Related Closing Costs

Loan Origination Fee

This covers the administrative expenses in setting-up and processing the loan. The loan origination fee may be a percentage of the mortgage amount.

Points (optional)

An option for the home buyer is to pay points to lower the interest rate at which the loan will be repaid. Each point equals one percent of the mortgage amount. For example: on a $150,000 loan, one point would equal $1,500.

Appraisal Fee

The fee for having the house appraised may be incorporated into the closing costs or payment may be required by the lender at the time the loan application is submitted.

Credit Report

The lender uses a credit report to determine the creditworthiness of the loan applicant. This fee is often paid when the loan application is submitted.

Interest Payment

Typically, the buyer is required to pay interest on the mortgage loan to cover the time between the closing date and when the first mortgage payment period begins. For example: If closing is on May 15. Your first monthly payment begins to accrue interest on June 1 with your first mortgage payment due July 1. At closing an interest payment covering the accrual period between May 15 and May 31 may be required.

Escrow Account

At closing it may be required that an escrow account is set up for next year’s home insurance and/or taxes when they come due.

learn more about escrow

Tax Closing Costs

Property Taxes

This is the one closing cost that is often prorated between the buyer and seller. If the seller has already paid the annual property taxes, the buyer typically reimburses the seller for the period in which the buyer will be occupying the property. Likewise, if the taxes have not yet been paid, the seller typically reimburses the buyer for the period in which the seller occupied the property.

Transfer Taxes and Recording Fees

This is the cost for transferring ownership of the property and recording the purchase documents. The fee is often calculated as a percentage of the sales price.

Homeowner's Insurance

This insurance covers replacement costs for damages caused by fire, wind or other disaster that might affect the value of the property. Typically, the insurance also includes personal liability and theft coverage. Usually the first year’s annual premium for insurance must be paid at closing.

Flood or Quake Insurance

Additional hazard insurance coverage that is required for homes located in a designated hazard zone as established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). An appraiser, inspector, or your realtor can let you know if a property resides in a hazard zone.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

Insurance required for conventional mortgage loans when the borrower's down payment on the house is less than 20 percent of the loan value.

Title Insurance

This policy protects both the buyer and lender by insuring a clear chain of title. (In other words, it insures that that the person who sells the house has the legal right to do so.)

To improve your experience with us, select your city below: