Home-Buying Costs: The Complete Guide for 2026

September 9, 2026

The costs associated with buying a home are necessary expenses in this transaction. That’s why proper planning and staying organized are usually the key.

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How Much Money Do You Need to Save to Buy a Home?

Analyzing the costs of buying a home can save you a lot of money. Let’s take a look:

Down payment required when applying for a mortgage

You must pay about 20% as a down payment, since the bank usually finances the remaining 80%.

Estimated percentage for taxes and fees

Tax-related costs typically range from 10% to 12% of the property’s price. This is an additional expense, and you should factor it in.

Differences based on price and autonomous community

Geographic location affects the final costs of the transaction. Each region applies its own tax rates for property purchases.

Example of Recommended Savings

For a home priced at 200,000 euros, the down payment is 40,000 euros. When taxes and registration fees are added, the total savings required amount to 64,000 euros.

Common Expenses When Buying a Home

There are common expenses to consider. The following procedures ensure legal validity.

Notary

Here, the notary acts as a witness to the signing of the contract.

Property Registry

You must register the purchase in your name to protect your legal rights. This also requires the payment of certain official fees.

Administrative Agency

This agency is responsible for handling the tax settlement and the legal registration of the property. For this reason, hiring one is practically mandatory.

Property Appraisal

A certified company assesses the value of your purchase. This appraisal is essential if you need to apply for a bank mortgage.

Real Estate Agency Fees

Agencies charge commissions for brokering the sale. These typically range from 3% to 7%.

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Taxes When Buying a New Home

New homes are subject to a specific tax regime. The buyer pays state and regional taxes at the time of closing.

VAT Applicable to the Home

This tax is usually between 4% and 10%.

Stamp Duty

It is usually between 0.5% and 1.5%.

Reduced Rates and Special Cases

Publicly subsidized housing qualifies for a reduced VAT rate of 4%. Reductions in Stamp Tax are available for young people and people with disabilities.

Taxes When Buying a Pre-Owned Home

The buyer must pay the following taxes:

Property Transfer Tax

The Property Transfer Tax (ITP) is levied on the purchase and sale of used properties as part of a commercial transaction.

Rates vary by autonomous community

It typically ranges from 6% to 10% of the property’s value.

Tax Credits and Reduced Rates

Tax credits may be available. Reduced rates can be as low as 3% or 4%.

Valuation Verification by the Tax Authority

The tax authorities are responsible for verifying the reference value of each home. If you purchase it for less than that amount, the government will claim the difference.

Expenses Associated with the Mortgage

Financing the purchase involves mortgage-related expenses specific to the loan. Let’s take a look:

Appraisal

The official appraisal is the only cost paid by the customer.

Origination fee

The bank may charge this fee when the loan is finalized.

Copies of the deed requested by the buyer

The customer pays for any additional copies.

Insurance and Related Products

You must purchase property damage insurance.

Which expenses are the bank’s responsibility

Generally, if the property is sold through this institution, it typically covers the notary, registry, and administrative fees.

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Differences in costs between new and pre-owned homes

Comparing the type of property reveals variations in the final budget.

Item New Home Pre-Owned Home
Main Tax VAT (4% or 10%) Property Transfer Tax (6%–13%)
Secondary Taxes Document Duty (0.5%–1.5%) Not applicable
Notary fees €600 - €1,000 Similar
Land Registry €300 - €600 Similar
Administrative Services €300 - €500 Similar
Appraisal €300 - €600 Similar

Home Purchase Costs by Autonomous Community

Regional taxes affect the costs of buying a home. For example, Madrid applies a 6% property transfer tax (ITP), while Catalonia, the Valencian Community, and Galicia apply rates ranging from 8% to 10%.

Example of costs when buying a home for 200,000 euros

Below is an example of the costs associated with buying a home:

Calculation for a new home

Assuming a 10% VAT rate, this amounts to 20,000 euros. When you add the stamp duty (AJD) and administrative fees, the total rises to 24,000 euros.

Calculation for a pre-owned home

With an 8% property transfer tax (ITP), the total would be 16,000 euros. Adding notary and registration fees, the total costs amount to 18,500 euros.

Scenario with a mortgage

You must contribute approximately 40,000 euros as a down payment. Add the processing and appraisal fees for a total of 19,000 euros.

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Who Pays Each Expense in a Real Estate Sale?

Here are the responsibilities of each party involved in the transaction:

Expenses Paid by the Buyer

These are typically related to the following items:

· Notary fees for the deed

· Property registration

· Appraisal

· Property Transfer Tax (ITP) or VAT

All of these home-purchase expenses are essential.

Expenses Paid by the Seller

The list is as follows:

· Real estate agency fees

· Municipal capital gains tax

· Existing encumbrances, such as mortgages, bank fees, etc.

These are the most common expenses paid by the seller.

Expenses borne by the bank

These are usually:

· Mortgage fees

· Administrative fees

Following these rules helps avoid financial disputes at the time of the final signing.

Possible agreements between the parties

The following are among the agreed-upon terms:

· Notary fees

· Property search and preliminary checks

These are two of the most common expenses that can be shared.

Other expenses to anticipate

There are expenses that come after the initial home purchase costs that you absolutely must keep in mind. They are as follows:

Renovations and upgrades

Used properties usually require minor initial renovation work.

Moving and setting up utilities

Moving furniture and setting up electricity, water, and gas service are necessary expenses.

Condominium fees and special assessments

These are factors to consider when purchasing a property.

Property tax (IBI) and municipal fees

These are fees paid annually to the city government.

Home insurance

This is to protect the structure of the home.

Maintenance and emergency fund

These are expenses to keep the home in good condition or to cover unexpected costs.

How to Calculate the Total Purchase Budget

Planning your home-buying expenses requires adding up each cost category.

Start with the property price

The amount agreed upon with the seller serves as the basis for the calculation.

Apply the applicable taxes

Add VAT, the property transfer tax (ITP), and stamp duty (AJD), as applicable.

Add closing and financing costs

Calculate the fees for the notary, registrar, and administrative agency. Add the appraisal fee if you’re applying for a mortgage.

Include post-purchase expenses

Set aside money for moving expenses and connecting utilities.

Set aside a contingency fund

Maintaining a 5% financial cushion helps avoid unexpected stress.

Common Mistakes

When buying a home, it’s possible to make mistakes. Here are the most common ones.

Confusing the down payment with the total budget required

When considering the costs of buying a home, forgetting about taxes can leave the buyer short on cash before closing.

Applying the wrong tax rate

Always check the tax rates applicable in your autonomous community.

Forgetting mortgage closing costs

Although the bank covers most of them, you pay for the appraisal.

Failing to check for regional tax breaks

Check for reduced tax rates for young people or families in your region.

Running out of cash after signing the contract

Keeping some cash on hand protects you against homeowners’ association fees or unexpected repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can closing costs be included in the mortgage?

As a general rule, lenders do not finance additional costs. The customer must pay taxes and processing fees.

How much are the notary and registration fees?

These two costs typically total between 1% and 1.5% of the total purchase price. The fees depend on the value stated in the deed.

Who pays the real estate agent’s commission?

It is customary for the seller to cover this cost.

What taxes does a foreign buyer pay?

As part of the costs associated with purchasing a home, a foreign buyer pays the same taxes as a resident.

Are there subsidies or tax breaks for young people and large families?

The autonomous communities offer reduced rates for the Property Transfer Tax (ITP) and Stamp Duty (AJD).

When must the taxes on the sale be paid?

The standard deadline for paying taxes is 30 business days.

Invest in real estate without the expense of buying a home

Buying a property is one of the most important financial decisions anyone can make. In addition to the property’s price, you need to factor in the down payment, taxes, closing costs, and other expenses.

At Domoblock, you can access tokenized real estate investments starting at €200, participating in selected projects through a blockchain-based platform.

This allows you to diversify your investment, access the real estate market with a lower barrier to entry, and be part of a new way to invest.

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Conclusion

Managing the costs associated with buying a home ensures a transaction free of unforeseen issues. Plan ahead and check current state tax credits to maximize your savings. With alternative tools like Domoblock, you can avoid red tape and traditional closing costs.

Autor

Sergio Navarro

Expert in blockchain, investments, and personal finance

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Valencia | Bétera

Calle Pilar Mateo

DOMO-VLC-36 Fase 1
Obra nueva

Funded

100%

1.167.964,69€

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Rentabilidad estimada:
13%
Duración estimada:
11
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