What's the cost of buying a house - carrying costs, cash or financing

What a lot of new people are asking is what is the real cost of buying a house.

Here is a list for starters for new buyers, if you are buying off of the MLS. The list is different and less, if you are buying privately.

1. House price – how much you pay after negotiations
2. Real estate agents costs – usual 3% per selling agent
3. Real estate agents costs – usual 3% per buying agent

1. Lender costs – loan origination fees
2. Appraisal
3. Inspection

1. Closing
2. Escrow
3. Title
4. Conveyance
5. Recording
6. Other “Junk” fees

1. Moving costs – if occupying

1. Occupying Costs (depends on location, but generally)
2. Electrical – deposit
3. Water – deposit
4. Sewer
5. Garbage

1. HOA fees
2. HOA transfer fees
3. HOA sucks fee, etc

1. Occupying House Fees
2. New draperies
3. yard & garden equipment
4. vacuum cleaner
5. wall art
6. furniture
7. shelves for the garage
8. on and on and on

A couple of tips

1. If you are buying a house with a bank loan
1. Don’t buy ANYTHING until the loan closes
2. NO new car, NO furniture, NO new tractor NOTHING
3. DON’T change jobs, DON’T get laid off, DON’T quit
4. Be available to your agent and lender but don’t initiate unless you see trouble – deal with it immediately
5. Make a list and get prices of everything before you sign on the dotted line

Yes, there is more, but that's enough to consider in a purchase for a private residence experience.

Since we focus on investment properties, and use a custom spreadsheet, the list is different and shorter, but this gives the newbie lurkers something to work with.