The costs of buying a home may be daunting. For example, you may have finally saved enough for a down payment on your first home, with a little left over to buy the furniture you will need. Then you hear about having to pay closing costs you weren't anticipating, and this may seem like a real setback.

One way to cover such a shortage is to make the sellers an offer that calls for them to credit you for some of the closing costs. As a rule, the sellers may pay a maximum of 3 percent of the sales price if the buyer is putting five percent down. If the buyer is making a down payment of 10 percent or more, the seller can contribute up to 6 percent of the sales price to cover the buyer's closing costs. Some items, such as prepaid taxes and the first month's mortgage payment, must be paid by the buyers. Sellers may also contribute to paying the appraisal, points, title insurance, settlement attorney fees, state or local transfer taxes and similar items.

Keep in mind that if the credit is included in the price of the house, the appraiser will have to justify the amount, based on sales prices of similar homes in the neighborhood.

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Stewart J Lowe
RE/MAX Real Estate Central
#206, 2411 - 4th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2M 2Z8
Cell: 403-850-0669
Fax: 403-547-5195
Office pager 24/7: 403-216-1600
StewartJLowe@shaw.ca

Remax Real Estate Central is the Number One Remax in the World based on closed transactions. Stewart J Lowe is a 2009 Top Producer, and member of Remax Western Canada 100% Club based on sales and service, and the Executive and Chairmans clubs. Quote from Stewart J Lowe "I want to be the real estate professional that really helps you, and keeps you in total communication. We like to work with a limited number of clients, individually taking the time to understand their lifestyle and their individual needs. Buying High End Real Estate with us as your team will be an enjoyable experience"