what is a transfer fee when purchasing a resale home in a golf course community

by Polly Hand 4 min read

Full Answer

What is a transfer fee in real estate?

Developers sometimes will put a covenant in place when a new community is built, requiring that a transfer fee be paid each time a property is sold. Depending on the home and where it's built, the fee may be in place for decades. The fee, either a flat fee or a percentage of the sales price, is typically paid by the seller.

Can a transfer fee be included in an offer?

Though the dollar amount of the transfer fee is non-negotiable, a potential buyer can include a clause in their offer requesting that the seller pays all fees. The seller can counter with a set dollar amount that will be put towards HOA fees, leaving the buyer responsible for anything above that amount.

How do I find out about a transfer fee on my home?

There are two ways to find out about a transfer fee on your home: 1 Sales disclosures should include the existence of the fee and an explanation of why it is imposed. Even if the seller is... 2 If a private transfer fee is not disclosed at the time of contract, the title report issued during the sale will... More ...

Who is responsible for transfer fees when selling a home?

However, it is generally considered the responsibility of the seller or buyer to contact the HOA to find out about the transfer fees that will be charged. To learn more about the fee, what it covers, and who is responsible for payment, read on.

Are transfer fees paid by seller?

Who is responsible for paying the transfer fee? An HOA is required to disclose the transfer fees to all parties prior to the sale, but the sellers are generally responsible for paying the transfer fee.

Is buying a house on a golf course a good investment?

Golf course properties typically have great resale value, selling at two to three times that of an average home – which is a magnet for investors.

What is HOA transfer fee in Texas?

HOA transfer fees typically cost $100–$400. Some states have caps on how much an HOA can charge for these fees. For example, in Texas, HOA transfer fees — also known as an HOA resale certificate there — are capped at $375.

Who pays HOA transfer fee California?

In many states, including California and Colorado, HOA transfer fees are added to the seller's final closing costs. However, in other cases, the buyer pays these fees.

Is it more expensive to live on a golf course?

Research as far back as the 1990s has suggested that the presence of a golf course increased nearby home values by 7.6%. More recent studies indicate that the value decreases significantly as the distance between the home and the golf course increases.

Is it desirable to live on a golf course?

There are so many wonderful advantages to living on a golf course or in a golf course community – from the high property values and quality school districts that usually are nearby, to the other community amenities and golf at your fingertips, living on a golf course is living the dream.

Does the buyer pay transfer fees?

Transfer costs are paid by the buyer of the property, to a conveyancing attorney who is appointed by the seller of the property. This is one of the additional costs incurred by the buyer, which also includes bond registration costs, rates and levies, and insurance.

What is transfer fees on property?

Transfer fees are one of the additional expenses that need to be taken into account when purchasing a home. They are paid to a transferring attorney, appointed by the property's seller to transfer ownership to you.

Who pays for resale certificate in Texas?

The Cost. The cost for obtaining a resale certificate in Texas is capped at $375. Since it is the seller's responsibility to provide it, the seller typically pays this expense at the time it is ordered. HOA management companies usually expect payment upfront before they will process an order.

How much is HOA transfer fee in California?

How much is the Transfer Fee? HOA transfer fees are generally in the $200-$250 range, but vary from place to place.

Are transfer fees legal in California?

California passed a statute prohibited private transfer fees unless used exclusively to support the encumbered property or cultural, education, charitable, recreational, environmental, conservation, or similar activities. Cal.

What is a reinvestment fee?

Reinvestment fees are an additional tool that HOAs can use to pay for community expenses that are often affordable and not too cumbersome for its members. They can work as a buffer when HOA costs increase over time and help to delay the need for increasing regular monthly or quarterly assessments.

How to find out if you have a transfer fee on your home?

There are two ways to find out about a transfer fee on your home: Sales disclosures should include the existence of the fee and an explanation of why it is imposed. Even if the seller is the one who pays it when you buy, you will eventually need to pay the fee when you sell the property at some future date.

What to do if a transfer fee is imposed?

However, if a transfer fee is imposed, buyers typically have only two options: negotiate to ask the sellers to pay the fee or walk away from the transaction and purchase elsewhere. Before you do that, be sure to consider the benefits to the HOA of a transfer fee, how much you want the home, and whether the cost is negligible enough to ignore.

What are the fees associated with real estate transactions?

Real estate transactions typically come with a variety of fees, including property taxes, transfer taxes, or recordation taxes imposed by state and local governments when a home is sold.

Do you have to pay HOA fees when selling a condo?

Keep in mind that even if a private transfer fee isn’t imposed, you may have to pay an HOA fee when you buy or sell a home within an HOA or condo association. Review association documents to determine whether a transfer fee is imposed when properties change hands and the amount of the fee. However, if a transfer fee is imposed, buyers typically ...

Is a flat fee a percentage of the sale price?

The fee, either a flat fee or a percentage of the sales price, is typically paid by the seller. In recent years, regulatory changes have made these fees less common. In fact, as of September 2014, 43 states prohibit private transfer fees in most situations, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Do HOAs charge transfer fees?

According to the Community Associations Institute, 72% of HOAs impose transfer fees when homes are sold. The FHFA says lenders can make loans with transfer fees that are charged by HOAs, because those fees benefit the community rather than developers.

What factors affect the price of a golf club?

Another factor influencing your club finances is the designer of the golf course. The bigger the name, the higher price you’re going to pay. Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, RT Jones Jr., and Tom Fazio are among the top tier names that will alert you that you are paying a premium because their names are on the course.

Where do golfers want to play four seasons?

Some golfers want four seasons, so they look at the mid-Atlantic areas, Virginia and North Carolina. Use our simple questionnaire to create your own best case scenario. Others want sun and plenty of it and look at Florida, Southern California, Las Vegas (a rapidly growing golf destination) Phoenix and Tucson.

Why is buying a home important?

Because buying a home is usually a family’s biggest investment, it makes sense to see what factors are in place that will affect its value when it comes time to sell. These factors are also critically tied into the quality of life at the community itself.

Do golf designers put their names on anything?

The golf design superstars who want to maintain a long-lived career will not put their names on anything that’s not dedicated to quality. In fact, says Norton, you should think of the designer’s name as a sought-after amenity that increases the desirability of the community. “It affects the pace of sale,” he says.

What is HOA transfer fee?

The HOA transfer fee covers all costs that the HOA will incur when transferring the ownership records from the seller to the buyer. These are charges associated with preparing and distributing documents, updating names in databases, changing security codes and amenities passes, and other administrative costs.

Is HOA transfer fee a non-negotiable fee?

The HOA transfer fee is mandated by the HOA and isn’t always listed in the real estate contract because it is a non-negotiable fee, meaning that the buyer can’t negotiate the amount with the seller. However, it is generally considered the responsibility of the seller or buyer to contact the HOA to find out about the transfer fees ...

Can a seller counter a HOA fee?

The seller can counter with a set dollar amount that will be put towards HOA fees, leaving the buyer responsible for anything above that amount. The HOA transfer fee is almost always paid at the time of closing so the HOA shouldn’t run into problems with the fee being left unpaid.

How much does it cost to transfer a HOA?

HOA transfer fees usually run anywhere from $100 to $400 with an average HOA transfer fee running around $225 to $250. The HOA management team sets the fee.

Why do you have to pay HOA transfer fees?

What is an HOA transfer fee and why do you have to pay it? HOA transfer fees are charged to cover the expenses of the necessary transitioning activities and paperwork from the seller to the buyer. The HOA transfer fee will generally cover the new documentation and paperwork involved in setting up a new homeowner.

What happens if a seller fails to include an important document?

This could be risky because if the seller fails to include an important document, you could end up being liable for something you weren’t aware of . If you aren’t planning to ask the seller to pay the HOA transfer fee or if the seller has rejected your request, you can specify in the contract that you will pay up to a specified amount ...

What is a HOA property?

HOA properties usually have more stable property values, some or all maintenance and utilities are covered, you can get access to shared amenities, and you become part of a community.

Do you have to pay a title transfer fee when you buy a car?

Similarly, when you buy and sell a car, you have to pay a title transfer fee to document that the seller is no longer the owner of the car and name the new owner of that vehicle.

What does paragraph C mean in a property transfer?

It states that except for fees covered in Paragraphs A, D, and E, the buyer will pay all costs and fees associated with the property transfer. Paragraph C also contains a blank that caps the buyer’s responsibility at a certain dollar amount, after which the seller will pay the balance.

Do homeowners associations charge fees?

Some homeowners associations charge fees for transferring the ownership of property from a seller to a buyer.

What does a club membership cover?

The annual club membership dues usually cover golf privileges and access to the club’s amenities such as tennis, the pool, fitness center, and clubhouse .

Is a golf community bundled?

Basically every homeowner in the community is also a club member, so “bundled” golf communities provide for a very unique social atmosphere! Your neighbors are also your fellow club members and vice versa, whether that’s a good thing or not, we’ll let you decide!

Is a bundle golf community good?

“Bundled” golf communities can be a great option for some people, but may not be the best choice for others. If they have piqued your interest, here are a few more things to think about if you are considering purchasing in one.

What is a resale package?

The resale package has two parts – the resale certificate and the governing documents. The resale certificate (also known as a closing statement, estoppel, dues statement, paid assessment letter, 3407, or 5407) provides information about the property that you are buying and the seller’s standing in the association.

Who handles resale certificates?

The property management company generally handles the completion of resale certificates, and there is almost always a fee for this service. Who pays the fees associated with a resale package varies from state-to-state, and may even from community to community; fees associated with the resale package are often included in the closing costs.

What happens if the seller is behind on payments?

If it turns out that the seller is behind on their payments, the buyer can request that part of the contract be worded to include that the seller must pay all outstanding HOA fees. This allows the buyers to be protected from hidden fees, while also guaranteeing that the HOA will receive the money that they are owed.