Expenses When Buying A Home -

The story ended with them sitting on the floor of their new living room, eating pizza off a cardboard box because they couldn't afford a table yet. They were homeowners, but they had learned the ultimate truth: the price you see on the Zillow listing is just the opening chapter.

Altogether, closing costs added another 3% of the home price—roughly $12,000—to their bill. expenses when buying a home

The "once upon a time" started with the . They had spent three years living like monks to save up 20% of a $400,000 home—a cool $80,000. They thought that was the finish line. They were wrong. The story ended with them sitting on the

The plot thickened during the "under contract" phase. Suddenly, the couple was hemorrhaging smaller amounts of cash. There was the (a $5,000 "I’m serious" deposit), the Home Inspection ($500 to make sure the roof wasn't held together by hope), and the Appraisal Fee ($600) required by the bank to prove the house was actually worth the price tag. Then came the climax: Closing Day . The "once upon a time" started with the