Homebuying 101

Associated Taxes and Fees

There are some costs that come with purchasing a home. Learn about them here.

October 5, 2022209 views0

Article last updated July 2023

Property Transfer

Transfer tax is a transaction fee imposed on the transfer of land or real property from one person (or entity) to another. Transfer tax includes country transfer tax and city transfer tax (if applicable).

Closing Costs

Closing costs are fees associated with your home purchase that are paid at the closing of a real estate transaction. Closing is the point in time when the title of the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer. This includes escrow fee, loan origination fee, title insurance, underwriting fee, etc.

Sewer Lateral

In 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), six East Bay cities, and one sewer district to fix old, cracked sanitary sewer pipes. Affected property owners must obtain a certificate from EBMUD certifying that all of their private sewer lateral is leak-free. Property owners may also voluntarily choose to have their laterals tested and certified.

Sidewalk Ordinance

The Side Walk Ordinances address the backlog of private sidewalk repairs in the City of Oakland and reduce City liability related to private sidewalk damage. The ordinances would require sidewalk repairs upon title transfer of real property and would establish joint liability for injuries resulting from sidewalk damage.

About the Author

Montana Gabrielle Hooks is a SF Bay Area Realtor in the East Bay. Local entrepreneurship, playing bass guitar and singing live karaoke are a few of her favorite things. She serves on the Young Realtists Division, Oakland board is a member of the Associated Real Property Brokers. Follow her on Instagram or learn more about her on her website.