When you buy a home in Arizona, you'll have to pay closing costs on top of the home's sale price. These costs add thousands of dollars to your purchase, so it's important to plan ahead or, ideally, reduce your financial liability altogether. Learn more about closing costs for Arizona home buyers.
When you're buying a home in Arizona, the down payment isn't the only out-of-pocket expense you'll have to pay. Closing on a home can be an expensive process, with the total cost being thousands of dollars.
Buyers in Arizona should do their homework to avoid any surprise expenses. Working with an experienced real estate agent can help you set the right expectations and be prepared when you pull the trigger on a home purchase.
Want to connect with a top-rated Arizona buyer's agent? Clever can help! Fill out our online form and we'll be in touch to answer any questions you might have and introduce you to one of our local Partner Agents for a no-obligation consultation.
Closing Costs for Arizona Homes: What to Expect
Both the buyer and the seller will have to pay various fees at closing. In Arizona, these fees typically include loan origination fees, escrow fees, home inspection and appraisal fees, credit report, attorney fees, and courier expenses, to name a few (more details on these fees in the following section).
According to a Bankrate study, the average cost of a real estate closing in Arizona is $1,948. However, this study didn't take into account the many variable fees like title insurance, title search, taxes, government fees, and discount points.
And while closing costs can be expensive, one of the largest mortgage expenses is the interest rate. Over the life of the loan, a few small percentage points can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest payments.
One of the best ways to lower your interest rate? Shop around and compare lenders! Fill out the form below for a quote from a licensed, local lender – even if you’re pre-approved it pays to compare.
Common Closing Costs for Arizona Home Buyers
Knowing ahead of time what fees to expect can help you prepare your finances accordingly. Here are some of the most common closing costs that buyers are responsible for:
Loan Origination and Underwriting Fee
Many lenders will charge the buyer to initiate and process a loan application. This fee is based on a percentage of the home's purchase price.
Credit Report
As part of your application, the lender will need to pull a full credit report, which usually costs about $25.
Appraisal
The lender may also want a current appraisal of the home to ensure they're not lending more money than the home is worth.
Home Inspection
Home inspections are not required, but they can be valuable tools in helping you decide whether or not to go through with the sale.
Escrow Fees
An escrow company is a third-party provider that keeps all monies safe and distributes them after the transaction. The escrow company oversees the real estate transaction.
Flood Certification
This official document states a property's flood zone status. This fee is usually around $10.
Title Search and Insurance
The lender will perform a title search on the home to ensure there are no property liens against it.
Postage and Courier Service
Lenders that use a courier service to transport documents will pass that cost along to you. This is usually no more than $100, but can vary by lender.
Survey
Some lenders may require a property survey to proceed with the loan. This fee is usually $300 to $400 dollars if you have to pay it at all.
Other Costs to Consider
As you're thinking about the various costs involved in buying a home, it's essential to also consider the ongoing costs of homeownership.
As the homeowner, you're responsible for paying annual property taxes and homeowner's insurance. You'll also have to perform ongoing maintenance and may face surprise repairs, which can add up quickly.
It's absolutely necessary to ensure you're in a financially stable position before making the decision to purchase a home. While you may be able to pay your mortgage with ease, these other costs may ultimately affect how much home you're able to afford.
How to Save on Closing Costs in Arizona When Buying a Home
Closing costs can add thousands of dollars to your purchase price, but there are a few ways you can reduce your out-of-pocket liability:
First, you may work with your agent to negotiate some or all of your closing costs with the seller. In many real estate transactions, the seller will agree to pay for closing costs in order to secure the deal.
Also, look into programs in Arizona that provide assistance with closing costs. For example, the Home Plus Mortgage will potentially cover your entire down payment and closing costs in the form of a silent second mortgage. Or, if you use a VA or USDA loan that requires no down payment, you have less money to come up with out of pocket.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to save on Arizona closing costs is to work with Clever! We offer Clever Cash Back for qualifying buyers.
Connect with Clever today for a no-obligation consultation and let us introduce you to a local Arizona agent that can help you navigate the home buying process.
