Trend in Seller Paid Closing Costs

By
Mortgage and Lending with Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 NMLS #206275 GA 25689

Closing costs in GA

There is a trend in seller paid closing costs on Georgia purchase transactions.  About two years ago, we saw purchase agreements where the seller would pay as much as 5-6% toward the buyer's closing costs and pre-paid expenses.  I have noticed over the last year sellers are starting to pull back on this contribution.  

What does this mean for home buyers?  You are going to need more money in the bank!  In addition to your down payment you will need money to cover closing costs.

Georgia is an attorney state.  This means that if there is a real estate transaction with a mortgage, an attorney must review the title and close the transaction.  The typical fees for a mortgage transaction include the attorney fees, lender's title insurance, owner's title insurance, transfer tax, intangible tax, recording fees, and processing/underwriting fees.  The total dollar cost will depend on the mortgage amount and purchase price.

With the swing into a seller's market, it is highly likely that this trend is going to continue.  So buyers, start saving you are going to need a little extra money.

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Kathy Sheehan Senior Loan Officer

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The opinions and general information in this blog are soley those of Kathy Sheehan.  Specifics regarding an individual case should be discussed in detail with a loan professional.  For a confidential consultation, please feel free to contact me via phone or email.  All terms and conditions are subject to change.

 

Comments (48)

Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

We have lots of VA buyers here. Pretty normal to see seller contribute 3% to buyers closing costs. Sometimes tough for sellers to swallow but if they get what they want and the home appraises isn't an issue.

Jul 29, 2013 05:22 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Bill that is still fairly normal on VA deals.

Jul 29, 2013 05:27 AM
Kelly Taylor
Keller Williams - Lakewood Ranch, FL

Kathy, we are really in a seller's market in Southwest Florida. Seeing Seller's contributing less.

Jul 29, 2013 06:00 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I believe seller's concessions are rather new in New York. Not that I've been doing this forever, but it almost seems to me that buyers' have started asking for this since they've been watching HGTV and what goes on in other parts of the country.

Jul 29, 2013 06:26 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Kelly, in GA too!

Jill, that is possible.

Jul 29, 2013 07:58 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I'm working with a client right now who is going THDA. He requires 6% in closing costs and prepaids. We are in a seller's market. It's going to be tough finding a seller to do it.

Jul 29, 2013 08:08 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Tammie, I can see where that will be a challenge.

Jul 29, 2013 09:15 AM
Brien Berard
Remax Professionals Laurel MD - Laurel, MD
Maryland Real Estate Agents - Laurel Real Estate

My buyers are still asking and still getting closing cost here in Maryland.

Jul 29, 2013 09:29 AM
Marnie Matarese
DWELL REAL ESTATE - Sarasota, FL
Showing you the best of Sarasota!

Same thing in Florida.  With buyers lined up to bid on fairly priced properties, any contingencies can stop a contract from being accepted by the seller.

Jul 29, 2013 10:36 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Brien, nice to know.

Marnie, that does happen.

Jul 29, 2013 10:39 AM
Fred Griffin Tallahassee Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

My Seller received an Offer today - Full Price, but Seller pays 6% toward Closing Costs.  The Seller Rejected the Offer.

Jul 29, 2013 11:59 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Fred, no counter???

Jul 29, 2013 12:10 PM
Jimmy Faulkner
Florida. Homes Realty & Mortgage - Wantagh, NY
The Best Of St. Augustine

Buyers to be more competitive are paying a lot of sellers cost and not is this not a switch. It just happened to me last week. What a turnof events.

Jul 29, 2013 12:15 PM
Michele Peterson
Sellstate Realty First - Roseville, CA
Sellstate Realty First

Wow.  Additional expenses with attorneys added on.

In Northern California, it is very rare that a Seller will pay closing costs unless you are $75,000 over list price and ahead by at least $15,000 of offer #2.

 

Not an ice cubes chance in ____________

 

Jul 29, 2013 12:21 PM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

The buyer paying seller's costs??? wow!

Michele, it is different in all markets.

Jul 29, 2013 12:26 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

The closing costs are the buyers responsibility, in the long run.  We try to negotiate them.  Remember when they were rolled into the loan?  HA . . . back in the day.

Jul 29, 2013 01:26 PM
John F Muscarella
RIVER FARM PROPERTIES, LLC - Venice, FL
Broker/Owner, Venice, FL, Florida's Suncoast

SOme areas in MA almost require the seller to pay some closing costs.  Others not so.  It's always important to review this with sellers and buyers so they know the ramifications of this ahead of time.  Good post and timely.

Jul 29, 2013 07:53 PM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Carla, things have changed haven't they?

Thanks John.

Jul 29, 2013 11:02 PM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
Thanks for the update, Kathy. Congratulations on Featured Post, too.
Jul 30, 2013 01:30 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Thanks Mary!

Jul 30, 2013 11:32 AM

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