What Are All Of These Closing Costs? Here’s The Breakdown!

“What are my closing costs” is one of the most common questions when buying and selling real estate. While the sale contract breaks down the list of closing costs, fees, and charges for each party, it remains of the most mysterious sections of the contract. That’s because the elusive “closing costs” vary based on the sales price of the property, the type of loan you choose, and the state or county where the property is located.

Typical Closing Costs For Sellers:

  • Applicable Documentary Stamp Taxes
  • Owner’s Title Policy and Charges (depending upon contract terms)
  • Municipal Lien Search
  • HOA/Condo Estoppel Fees
  • Recording and any other fees required to provide marketable title
  • Seller’s Attorney Fees

Typical Closing Costs For Buyers:

  • Documentary Stamp & Fees On Promissory Notes
  • Recording Fees For Deed & Financing Statements
  • Owner’s Title Policy and Charges (depending upon contract terms)
  • Property Survey, if Required
  • HOA/Condo Association Transfer/Application Fees
  • Municipal Lien Search
  • Loan Costs like origination, appraisal, inspection, and credit reporting fees
  • Buyer’s Attorney Fees

Why Are Some Fees Listed Twice?

In some cases, the fees are negotiable, either in terms of who pays them, or in terms of the amount to be paid. In general, sellers pay all the fees required to remove any encumbrances on the title and their own legal costs, while buyers pay the fees associated with financing and transferring the property title. The party paying for the title insurance chooses the closing/title agent, which gives some measure of control over that cost. However, many of the fees are regulated by state law, such as title insurance premium, documentary stamp taxes, and recording costs, will not change.

Having a real estate attorney on your side can help you negotiate a more favorable result and gives you added protection against surprises, like finding a previously undetected encumbrance on the property or learning after the transaction is over that there are zoning or land use controls that prevent you from using the property the way you wanted to.

Keep Closing Costs To Your Fair Share

When you work with the real estate attorneys at Overstreet Law, P.A., you place yourself in a better position to negotiate your fair share of closing costs and can rest assured that your real estate purchase contract is not going to come back to bite you later. Call or contact us online to schedule a consultation, and we’ll let you know how we can help in your specific transaction.

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The EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Green Card

United States immigration laws allow people who demonstrate exceptional or outstanding abilities in their fields of expertise to apply for a Green Card based on their extraordinary abilities. Green Cards based on extraordinary ability fall into the first employment-based preference category (EB-1) and provide a great opportunity for qualified applicants to become permanent residents. Demonstrating that you qualify; however, can be a challenging and time-consuming process.

How Is The EB-1 Green Card Different?

The EB-1 Green Card is considered an employment-based immigration visa, though the people who qualify for an EB-1 Green Card don’t require a specific job offer awaiting them in the United States, as with other types of employment-based Green Cards. Applicants must demonstrate that they have extraordinary ability in their field and that they intend to work in that field once in the United States.

What Qualifies A Person For An EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Green Card?

People who have reached the top of their professions or fields may be qualified to apply under the EB-1 program. Almost any field or profession can qualify. Common fields for approved EB-1 Green Card applicants include artists, musicians, performers, athletes, scientists, engineers, business professionals and medical professionals, but that’s not an exclusive list by any means.

In general, applicants for EB-1 Green Cards need to demonstrate their extraordinary ability by proving that they’ve been recognized with national or international prizes or awards, such as a Nobel Prize, or by giving evidence that they satisfy at least three of the following requirements:

  • Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
  • Membership in professional associations that demand outstanding achievement of their members
  • Published material about you in professional or major trade publications, or other major media
  • Serving as a judge of the work of others, either individually or on a panel
  • Original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field
  • Authorship of scholarly articles published in professional or major trade publications or other major media
  • Artwork displayed in professional exhibitions or showcases
  • Performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations
  • High salary or other significantly higher remuneration than others in the field
  • Commercial success in the performing arts

Get Help Applying For An EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Green Card

Successfully demonstrating that you qualify for an EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Green Card can be a confusing process that demands a great deal of time and tiresome detail. Working with an experienced immigration attorney can help you stay on top of the voluminous paperwork and exacting deadlines involved. The immigration lawyers at Overstreet Law, P.A. will put their experience to work for you, to give you the best possible chance of a successful petition. Call or contact us online for a confidential consultation.

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When Is It A Good Idea To Hire An Immigration Lawyer?

For some people, applying for an immigrant visa or a Green Card is a straightforward process, and they may decide to handle the matter on their own. For many more people, though, the process involves questions and complications. Whether you’re applying for immigration documents for yourself and your family, or you’re an employer trying to hire a foreign-born person who has the skills and experience you need, you may find that hiring an immigration attorney will help you navigate this complicated system with more success than going it alone.

For People Seeking Immigration Documents 

There are several types of Green Cards available to people who want to immigrate to the United States, and some people qualify for more than one kind of category. It’s not always obvious which will ultimately be best for your specific situation. An experienced immigration lawyer can help determine the best category with greatest chances of success and help navigate this often complicated process. Situations where you will definitely want to talk to a lawyer include:

  • Applications based on family ties where relationships have changed, like divorce or separation, or a child born out of wedlock;
  • Applications for people who have been arrested, charged with a crime or convicted of a crime;
  • People who are facing deportation proceedings;
  • Applications that were previously denied.

For Employers Trying To Hire Foreign Nationals

If you’re an employer and you want to sponsor a worker who is a foreign national for a Green Card, there are very specific (and complicated) rules you have to follow. The labor certification process (PERM), for example is extremely complex, time-consuming and fraught with challenges. From including the required language in job advertisements placed in approved outlets through correctly completing the paperwork on a rigorous set of deadlines, there are many ways to make a tiny mistake that could cause the application to be denied. Many employers find it well worthwhile to hire an immigration attorney to guide them through the PERM process for the best chance at a successful outcome.

Consult An Immigration Lawyer In Kissimmee

If you’re confused by your options or by the paperwork required for your application you should consult a qualified immigration lawyer. Many people mistakenly believe that immigration officers or immigration consultants are able to provide the same information or services that attorneys provide on a daily basis. Consultants and other non-lawyers do not receive formal legal training at accredited U.S. law schools, they cannot legally provide immigration advice, there is no requirement that they act in your best interest, they are not required to keep your personal information confidential. Indeed, non-lawyers are not subject to any regulation or oversight by any professional association or state agency. If you’re uncertain on how to proceed or you have questions, the immigration lawyers at Overstreet Law, P.A. will be happy to speak with you. Give us a call or contact us online for a confidential immigration consultation and we’ll let you know how we can help.

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Overstreet Law, P.A., Is Pleased To Welcome Attorney Michelle Rivera To Our Practice

michelle-rivera-kissimmee-attorneyOverstreet Law, P.A., is pleased to welcome Attorney Michelle Rivera to our practice. Michelle brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge in the areas of construction law and commercial litigation, as well as more than 7 years of experience in dealing with real estate, corporate documentation, licensing, trust amendments and related areas of law.

Michelle is a lifelong resident of Osceola County having graduated from Gateway High School shortly after it was built. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Florida A&M University, College of Law, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida where she graduated with honors.

In addition to her legal training and experience, Michelle has worked in acquisitions for a real estate developer and for the University of Central Florida. On a personal note, Michelle is an avid dog lover, presently serves on the Parent Involvement Committee for her child’s school and is active in her church community.

Please join us in welcoming Attorney Michelle Rivera to Overstreet Law, P.A. She will be a great addition to our team as we continue to serve the needs of our local Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana, Celebration and Hunters Creek communities.

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