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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Covington Real Estate Team
Covington Real Estate
2324 N. Main St.
Belton, TX. 76513
254 939-3800
877 711-3800
Fax: 254 939-3232
Email: covington@number1expert.com

Terri Covington, owner, established Covington Real Estate in 2003 after being a top producer for a franchise office for several years. Realtors affiliated with Covington are involved in the local community, including chambers of commerce, school district committees, local government, churches, and universities. Many of the agents serve in leadership with the Temple-Belton Board of REALTORS and the Texas Association of REALTORS. Terri shares, "God has blessed me with a wonderful organization of highly ethical and hard working REALTORS. We are like family and work together to get results for our clients." Being an independent office has afforded Covington clients flexibility in marketing and buying strategies. "We try to stay fresh in our marketing ideas and up to date with our education and negotiating skills." commented owner, Terri Covington.

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