Northwest Atlanta Properties

Home | Client Forms | Contact | (770) 726 -1454
  • Property Management
    • Property Management Services
      • Property Management Forms
      • Properties Recently Rented
      • Rental Value
    • For Tenants
      • Tenant Information
      • Tenant Forms
      • General Information for Tenants
      • General Questions and Answers
      • Tenant Move-Out Information
      • Emergency Procedures for Tenants
      • Utilities
  • Real Estate Sales
    • Looking to Purchase? Search Here!
      • Search Our Listings
      • Our Recent Sales
    • 1031 Exchange Overview – GA Edition
    • What Is My Home Worth?
    • What to Expect in an Offer
    • For Sale By Owner Resources
  • About Us
  • Testimonials
    • We Want to Hear from You!
  • Blog & Newsletters
    • Blog
    • Newsletters

What You Need To Budget for When Buying a Home

April 5, 2022 by Mike Stott

When it comes to buying a home, it can feel a bit intimidating to know how much you need to save and where to find that information. But you should know, you’re not expected to have all the answers yourself. There are many trusted professionals who can help you understand your finances and what you’ll need to budget for throughout the process.

To get you started, here are a few things experts say you should plan for along the way.

1. Down Payment

As you set your savings goal for your purchase, your down payment is likely already top of mind. And, like many other people, you may believe you need to set aside 20% of the home’s purchase price for that down payment – but that’s not always the case. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says:

“One of the biggest misconceptions among housing consumers is what the typical down payment is and what amount is needed to enter homeownership. Having this knowledge is critical to know what to save . . .”

The good news is, you may be able to put as little as 3.5% (or even 0%) down in some situations. To understand your options, partner with a trusted professional who can go over the various loan types, down payment assistance programs, and what each one requires.

2. Earnest Money Deposit

Another item you may want to plan for is an earnest money deposit. While it isn’t required, it’s common in today’s highly competitive market because it can help your offer stand out in a bidding war.

So, what is it? It’s money you pay as a show of good faith when you make an offer on a house. This deposit works like a credit. You’re using some of the money you already saved for your purchase to show the seller you’re committed and serious about their house. It’s not an added expense, it’s just paying some of that up front. First American explains what it is and how it works:

“The deposit made from the buyer to the seller when submitting an offer. This deposit is typically held in trust by a third party and is intended to show the seller you are serious about purchasing their home. Upon closing the money will generally be applied to your down payment or closing costs.”

In other words, an earnest money deposit could be the very first check you’ll write toward your purchase. The amount varies by state and situation. Realtor.com elaborates:

“The amount you’ll deposit as earnest money will depend on factors such as policies and limitations in your state, the current market, what your real estate agent recommends, and what the seller requires. On average, however, you can expect to hand over 1% to 2% of the total home purchase price.”

Work with a real estate advisor to understand any requirements in your local area and what they’ve recommended for other buyers in your market. They’ll help you determine if it’s something that could be a useful option for you.

3. Closing Costs

The next thing to plan for is your closing costs. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines closing costs as:

“The upfront fees charged in connection with a mortgage loan transaction. …generally including, but not limited to a loan origination fee, title examination and insurance, survey, attorney’s fee, and prepaid items, such as escrow deposits for taxes and insurance.”

Basically, your closing costs cover the fees for various people and services involved in your transaction. NAR has this to say about how much to budget for:

“A home costs more than just the sale price. For example, closing costs—which make up about 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price—are a major added expense…Lenders provide a Closing Disclosure at least three business days prior to closing on a mortgage. But buyers will need to budget for these added costs ahead of time to avoid sticker shock days before closing.”

The key takeaway is savvy buyers plan ahead for these expenses so they can come into the process prepared. Freddie Mac sums it up like this:

“If you’re in the market to buy a home, your down payment is probably top of mind. And rightly so – it’s likely the biggest cost of homebuying. However, it is not the only cost and it’s critical you understand all your expenses before diving in. The more prepared you are for your down payment, closing and other costs, the smoother your homebuying journey will be.”

Bottom Line

Knowing what to budget for in the homebuying process is essential. To make sure you understand these and any other expenses that may come up, let’s connect so you have reliable expertise on what to expect when you buy a home.

Filed Under: Now In Real Estate, Property Management Blog, Tiny Homes, Uncategorized, Up-to-date Mortgage Info Tagged With: #Atlanta, #atlantarealestate, #investment, #Investmentproperty, #Investors, #NorthwestAtlantaProperties, #realestate, #sellyourhome, Agent, Broker, Build a home, Build your home, buyers, consumer spending, Down Payment, Economist, Equity, Freddie Mac, Georgia Real Estate, homeownership, homes, housing, Housing Bubble, Investment Property, Luxury Home, Luxury Homes, Luxury Living, Mike Stott, National Association of Realtors, new home buyers, New Home Construction, Property Management, real estate, Real Estate Advice, sellers, selling your home, Top 10, Top Agent, Wealth

About Mike Stott

Latest From Our Blog

Moving Now Can Give Your House Its Day in the Sun

… Read More...

The Benefits of Selling Now, According to Experts

If you’re trying to decide if now’s the time to sell your house, here’s what you should know. The … Read More...

Owning a Home Helps Protect Against Inflation

You’re probably feeling the impact of high inflation every day as prices have gone up on groceries, … Read More...

View Full Blog >>

More from Our Clients

“You can invest in the best markets in the country but if you don’t have a great management team looking after your investments you can still lose money. That is why I stick with Northwest Atlanta Properties. I tell people it is like buying a mutual fund. You buy a property and the fund manager does the rest. If he does a good job you buy more. That is why I am buying more.”

Jamie Neely
Jamie Neely

“Great Service, everything was wonderful”

Gary Thurman
Gary Thurman

“What a Fantastic Job you guys did! I knew I wanted to hire the team the moment I met them. They are spot on. They did all of the legwork, and at times seemed to move mountains for us. We truly could not be happier!”

Johnston
Kim Johnston

“You guys are the best! I was so scared to pull the trigger on this and you have gone above and beyond to make things go smoothly. You guys are the best!! Many mahalos”

Maili
Maili

“Mike and Jon are the best! They made everything so easy!”

Andy Sexton
Andy Sexton

“This is our second transaction with Mike, Jon, & Donna. I Recomend them to everyone I know!”

Vic & Tammie Pecora
Vic & Tammie Pecora

“I just bought a home in the Woodlands! If you need a great realtor, Jon Burke with Northwest Atlanta Properties was Awesome! He was very knowledgeable and there for me every step of the way!”

Patty Cunningham
Patty Cunningham

“Many Thanks, Jon, Mike for outstanding service & support”

Ritesh Betala
Ritesh Betala

“We went from knowing that we could never buy a house to owning our new home!”

Don & Kris
Don & Kris

“Couldn’t be happier. Looked at houses one weekend, picked our favorite. That’s the one we bought. Got everything we wanted and more in negotiations. They held our hands through the entire process, going above and beyond at every opportunity. NWATLP Introduced me to my now lender, my inspector, and even helped me pick a home warranty! ‘One and Done’ should be their new catch phrase!!!”

Elizabeth W.
Elizabeth W.

“Wow, we ended up being one of those people who sold their house in a day. Mike and Donna delivered exactly what we asked them to do and we are so happy we trusted intuition and our friends.”

Chris G.
Chris G.

“Seriously, you were great!”

Dan & Mimi Murray
Dan & Mimi Murray

“This was our eight transaction. It went as smoothly as possible and sold in two days!”

Marc Bootman
Marc Bootman

“We were blessed to have Mike and Jon sell our house. They were extremely professional and stayed in great contact with us. We interviewed 7 agents and they were simply the most prepared and had the most logical marketing plan. Their pricing spreadsheet really made a big difference. We highly recommend them.”

Daren & Sandra Woods
Daren & Sandra Woods

“I can hardly believe we made it. Thanks for your patience with me and the loving guidance you
gave.”

Lynn Bodenstein
Lynn Bodenstein

“Just wanted to take a moment to thank God for sending you to us. You made the sale of our house grace-filled andeven fun with your humor. And, literally, you have driven all over the place trying to help us find the right home nowthat you sold ours. You get 5 stars and my personal recommendation which I don’t give out lightly. Thank you forbeing a man of excellence!”

Jay & Becky Harmon
Jay & Becky Harmon

“Mike and Jon helped us find a home that we love! They answered every question with professionalism and ease. They made the homebuying process so smooth! 5 stars to Northwest Atlanta Properties, we will recommend them to anyone looking to buy or sell their home!”

The Kornegay's
The Kornegay's

“Wow. Service with a smile. Knowledgeable and gave me all the info needed to find and buy our perfect house.”

Adam Winnie
Adam Winnie

“First of all, I want to tell you how happy and fortunate we are to be working with you. I love the way you are with people. You’re so calm & attentive and present. And it was wonderful how you had taken pictures before the meeting. So we are so lucky to have you on our team. Thank you, Jon!

The Fabozzi's
The Fabozzi's

“The BEST out there. I loved how I would get an email when the house was shown. I was always super informed! Super professional in all aspects!! Thank you, Mike!”

Kristy Haines
Kristy Haines

“Northwest Atlanta Properties sold our house for the highest price in the neighborhood; EVER! That can’t be beaten! “

The Louder's
The Louder's

“My Wife and I became first time home owners in Sept. Northwest Atlanta Properties guided us every step of the way. They introduced us to several lenders, Home inspectors, and Appraisers. They were always concerned with what we thought and our preferences. We went out One Saturday and saw 6 listings. We put in an offer on the one we liked and Got it!!! They stepped in and made negotiations easy as well as prepped us for the eventualities we faced. They should change their slogan to “One and Done” We will never use anyone else.”

Josh
Josh

“This family-owned business was a joy to work with! They listed to exactly what we wanted and put our priorities above their profit margins. I never felt pressured to go into a higher price point then we were comfortable with. They showed us several homes in the areas we were considering and worked with us every step of the way. We were new to the state so relied on their expertise to find us the perfect community for raising our children. I was in constant contact with Donna, Mike, & Josh who never made me feel like I was bothering them. Their many years of expertise made me feel safe and confident while looking for our home. I couldn’t recommend them enough!!!”

Katherine B
Katherine B

“If you are looking for carefully curated experience combined with friendly and understanding customer service then this is the place for you! This is a company that puts their every effort into finding you the perfect home. I spoke with Donna and Mike Stott, Jon Burke, and Josh Weinberg and they were absolutely fantastic. I never felt rushed and they listened to my idea of my perfect dream home with rapt interest that resulted in a selection of beautiful properties and houses. I can’t thank them enough for their experience, time, and attention to detail.”

Alexis
Alexis

“It was a pleasure working with Mike and Donna on getting their properties scanned for 3D tours! Responsive and fair, I would love it if all my clients were this way 😉 Thanks so much for the great relationship!”

Sasha B
Sasha B

“Mike was my listing agent and I had what we both knew would be a hard sale. I went though several other agents and Mike was the one who put in the hard work to get a contract and most importantly closed. It was not an easy process but he made it happen. I highly recommend.”

Ryan Jacobs
Ryan Jacobs

Mike, we had the best realtors in GA❣️😘 thanks to you and Donna we found our dream home! We highly recommend Northwest Atlanta Properties!

 

Ellen Rich-Fox
Ellen Rich-Fox

“Outstanding! I wish every realtor was this thorough! Thanks!”

Frank MUSCENTE - Owner, a closer look
Frank Muscente, Owner, a closer look

“Couldn’t of been easier, best realtor service I have ever had”

Amos Cordell
Amos Cordell

Donna, you and Mike are not at the top of my list of Realtors — YOU AND MIKE ARE THE LIST!!📣

Aileen

Northwest Atlanta Properties

Home Sales & Property Management Services

Professional real estate services for Sellers, buyers, owners & tenants. Specializing in the Northwest Atlanta communities of Roswell, Marietta, Alpharetta, Milton, Woodstock, Kennesaw, and the Surrounding Areas.

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you!
Office: (770) 726-1454 anything@nwatlp.com

3380 Trickum Rd Bldg #1300 Suite 100 Woodstock, GA 30188

Be sure to follow us!

Follow by Email
Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share

Copyright © 2023 · Northwest Atlanta Properties · Website by Visule Web Media

Copyright © 2023 · Executive Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in