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Budget for more than the purchase price

In Columbia, a $300,000 home doesn’t cost just $300,000. Buyers should set aside 2–5% of the purchase price for closing costs (around $6,000–$15,000)【56530275440518†L342-L447】, plan for a down payment as low as 3.5% or as high as 20% depending on loan type, and account for property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance. Average buyer closing costs in South Carolina run about 1.15% of the purchase price — roughly $3,447 on a $298,817 home — but attorneys, inspections, title insurance and prepaid expenses can push it higher【56530275440518†L342-L447】. The more prepared you are for these extras, the smoother your transaction will be.

Below we break down every cost category so you know exactly where your money goes and how to anticipate expenses from offer to closing and beyond.