When a person is buying a house there are various costs involved. Obviously the purchase price is the biggest cost, but there are also numerous other smaller costs that make up the closing costs that take place at the actual event of the closing of the home.

One of the most important costs expenses that I always encourage home buyers to pay is to hire an engineer to check the home for structural integrity. The structural engineer will check the heating, plumbing, electrical systems and other “big ticket items” that new homeowners do not want to be faced with after investing in their home should they break.   If the problem is discovered pre-closing, you may still buy that house, but have your attorney like myself negotiate a somewhat lower price.

The actual closing costs are pretty well detailed if you are getting a mortgage by the bank; they have an obligation on the law to provide you detailed closing costs.  Probably the largest aspect of closing costs for someone buying a house in New York City for example, is the 2 percent mortgage tax. This is a tax people don’t like to pay on a debt and it is probably the single biggest cost for a buyer.

This blog was provided by Irwin Weinstein, an experienced Brooklyn real estate attorney.

Check out our Real Estate Education Series for free!