House buying folks - how much up front money did you need? Not talking about down payment. If you would rather respond in e-mail, my profile addy is good.

I don't understand the question if it doesn't refer to down payment.

Are there closing costs that have to be paid up front?

I'm putting aside money for moving and trying to add extra for painting or other minor pre-move in costs. But I'm trying to see what else I need to prep for.

Yes, there are some closing costs. Are you going to a bank or a credit union to be pre-approved for a mortgage? Our credit union went over all the closing costs with us well ahead of time, and those costs were dependent on credit score. And if you want to use a lawyer, that will cost more as well. I can't remember the exact costs of what we paid, but I can look it up. Also, there are fees for inspectors.

Sometimes having the effective memory of a goldfish means I can give myself surprise presents. To wit - totally forgot that I bought new sweat pants last time I was at Target. Score!

I'd prepare for about $7 or $8K. But there are a lot of things that will impact that - points, time of year for taxes, etc.

I'm going through my credit union. I have sent a bunch of questions to the agent who contacted me and I'm impatient for a response.

Sometimes having the effective memory of a goldfish means I can give myself surprise presents. To wit - totally forgot that I bought new sweat pants last time I was at Target. Score!

A few weeks ago I got an email from the library telling me my hold was ready for pickup -- but I didn't remember putting anything on hold. So it was like the universe wanted me to read the Ms. Marvel TPB! (I eventually remembered, but for a while I wondered if I put it on hold while I was sleepwalking or drunk. Only I didn't remember getting drunk, so I would have had to have gotten drunk WHILE sleepwalking and THEN put the book on hold.) (Also, I don't sleepwalk.)

SuziQ, here's an example of closing costs from the mortgage we were going to take out except we couldn't come to an agreement with the seller about inspection and decided to play hardball so it's over ARGH.

Closing costs included a flat application fee, points for a reduced rate, and title recording fee, totaling $1151. We were also required to prepay property taxes, insurance, and PMI for 2-4 months, totaling $2743. Those two payments, plus the down payment, were due at closing. Subtract earnest money we'd already paid, a contribution towards closing costs by the seller written in to the contrcat, and loan application fee which we'd already paid, and you get the amount due at closing.

As said above, your lender should be able to run the numbers on this and give you hard examples as part of pre-approval.

we couldn't come to an agreement with the seller about inspection and decided to play hardball so it's over ARGH.

Boo! I'm convinced the right house is out there for your family, but I'm so frustrated on your behalf. (And I realize that doesn't compare to your actual frustration, multiplied by 3 more family members.)

Thanks. I'm trying to be patient and I know this is going to be a rough process cause I'm trying to pull this together from next to nothing.