The ramifications of owning an Edina house may intimidate first time homebuyers but being knowledgeable about closing costs can be of great help.Most people seem to be unaware that closing costs are usually set at 15 percent of the sales amount and loaners usually ask that you pay for it directly. Achieving your goal of efficiently projecting your available funds and discussing your preferences in the arrangement of final price means being more prudent to identify them earlier, even if some lenders can roll them into the loan package.

Remember that the lender’s primary basis in the amount he presented to you is the sales price paid by the buyer and not necessarily the net price (or the sales price minus the closing costs). Closing costs are allocated in various ways and this may require the assistance of your real estate agent and lender so that you can project your funds in the best possible means and for you to work within your budget limit.

As a home buyer, being knowledgable about your responsibilities is the first crucial step to understanding what closing costs are. As explained by Barron, the author of the book 'Smart Consumer's Guide to Home Buying', homebuyers must know that custom dictates allocation of closing costs and designates buyer and seller responsibilities, and not the law, as many believes it to be.

All the fees and discount points of the loan are part of the buyer's responsibilities. The lender, on the other hand, adds all these at the end of the contract (but may vary significantly according to the financial institution concerned). More often than not, bankers will treat this fee as a part of the contract or may be dispensed depending on the customer, but still you must figure out the exact estimated amount.

Another responsibility of the buyer is the premium of the homeowner’s title insurance policy that has to be paid and needs to be settled before the purchasing even starts. An extra cash in your hands will be useful when paying for the premium so that it won't get rolled into the loan. Note also how premium cost may vary from one insurance company to another. Before signing the contract, it may be wise to do a little research particularly on the insurance policy rates of homeowners or try to scout around for other possible choices. The seller has the following responsibilities or obligations.

Sales Commissions - are the fees apportioned to the buyer's and seller's agents. However, these may depend upon the real estate agent you chose to work with.

Inspection Costs - pertains to the expense of having various inspections and those that are required for homes prior to purchase.

Title Insurance - are part of the homebuyer's obligations although many people misconstrue that title insurance is no longer covered in the costs that they have to settle. However, title insurance costs are included in the closing cost and thus becomes the seller's responsibility.

When you know what closing costs are, you can have a better idea as to what your home's final price will be during the signing. As a matter of fact, if early on the financing process you have done so, the lender may give you necessary information like the fees you will have to pay and discount points among others.

Author: Alexandria P. Anderson specializes helping people to find and purchase Edina real estate, as well as Edina homes for her Minnesota real estate clients.