Real-g-06

What other costs are associated with buying a house?

You should expect the following expenses on top of your legal fees:

• the cost of a building inspector's report if you hire one
• an adjustment for taxes. For example, if you take over the property on September 1 and the previous owner has paid the taxes for the full year, you will have to pay back the balance of the taxes from September to December of that year.
• fire insurance
• appraisal fees if your bank or mortgage company asks for one
• GST if the home is a new one. Usually there is no GST paid on previously owned property.
• registration fees at the Land Titles Office
• fees payable for obtaining a new mortgage
• a real property report
• interest charges if there is a delay between getting your mortgage advance from your lender and paying the seller in full. Delays like this often occur because it takes time to register documents at the Land Titles Office and get the title in your name, and you must have the title in your name before your lender will advance funds. The delay is usually not more than a few days.

Keep in mind that you will also have moving expenses and charges for such things as arranging phone lines and utilities accounts.

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September 1996

see also:

• Real Estate: Land Titles '

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