Closing costs around the country vary widely. Here's a list of some of the costs typically paid by the buyer in conjunction with a home purchase. Ask your lender or attorney for the amounts you should expect to pay.

• title search and insurance
• attorney's fees
• bank appraisal
• homeowner's insurance
• survey
• filing fees

Survey

The lender may require that the property be surveyed. This service is performed to determine and verify the boundaries and measurement of the property and certify its accuracy. Payment is the responsibility of the buyer.

Commitment Letter

Once the commitment letter is received by you, reviewed by your attorney, and signed and returned to the lender, your attorney will have a pretty good idea of when your closing date will be set.

Once you are notified of when that will be, it is important to get your funds together for the final transaction. Your lawyer will compute the actual figures, but pay attention at this point to how much cash you'll need.

SUGGESTION: A few days before you close, you'll perform what's known as the "walk-through," your last chance to take a look at the property before it becomes yours. Consider videotaping this experience since it will document your case should the seller decide to make any last minute "changes" to the property you just purchased. It will also serve to document any last-minute repairs the seller must make before closing.

Who Pays for What?

In connection with the final transfer of ownership of the home from the seller to you, you'll attend the closing and settle up on all charges. The document which summarizes the transaction is called the HUD RESPA closing statement. Get a blank RESPA form from your attorney to give you an idea of what one looks like. At the closing, your attorney will explain, in detail, the components of the RESPA statement as it applies to your individual situation.

SUGGESTION: Keep a list of what you think the costs are and use that list as a guide to compare to the RESPA form to avoid any surprises.