Buying a house is the single largest purchase many people will ever make. It's also an extremely complicated process that requires you to be aware of all the possible pitfalls and issues.
This guide on how much does the typical lawyer cost to purchase a house in Ghana is designed to help you get started on your home buying journey. It will give you an overview of the costs involved in purchasing a property, from lawyers to stamp duty and legal fees. It will also take you through some of the important considerations when deciding whether or not this is the right time for you to buy a property.
A good starting point is to think about your budget. Remember that you will have to find a lawyer who's willing and able to work with you on a reduced fee or free of charge. You should also factor in other costs involved in purchasing and owning a property, such as taxes, mortgage repayments, etc.
If you want to know how much does the typical lawyer cost to purchase a house in Ghana and are interested in how this process works, take some time to read on for more information.
The first step in purchasing a property is to consult a lawyer. This is primarily to understand your legal rights and obligations, but also to help you with the complicated process of finding the right property, negotiating with sellers and concluding the deal.
Legal fees for purchasing a house in Ghana vary depending on the type of property you’re buying, where it is located and the lawyer you choose. For example, if you’re buying a piece of land, the cost might be around 10% of the property value. If you’re buying a condo or apartment, it might be around 5% of the property value. Additional costs may include stamp duty (paid when transferring ownership) and registration.
Stamp duty depends on whether or not there are any mortgages attached to the property you're buying. It ranges from 2% - 5% of the purchase price for properties that are mortgage-free and 3% - 8% for properties that have mortgages attached. Registration fees can range from GH¢200-800 (approximately $40-160), depending on where your house is situated and what services are required by law.
Stamp duty is the cost of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another and is usually paid by the purchaser. It's usually based on the amount or total value of the property being purchased, as well as its location.
In Ghana, if you are buying a property worth more than GH¢50,000, then you will be required to pay stamp duty at 0.5 per cent. If your property is worth less than this amount, then you don't have to pay any stamp duty.
So if you're purchasing a GH¢100,000 property in Ghana, then you'll be required to pay a stamp duty fee of GH¢500 (GH¢0.5 x GH¢100,000). And for a GH¢1 million property in Ghana? That would work out at GH¢2,500 (GH¢0.5 x GH£1 million).
If you want to purchase land in Ghana but not yet construct anything on it, there are no restrictions on how much land can be bought and ownership transferred without paying any stamp duties.
In Ghana, eligibility for purchasing a property is based on the following criteria:
- The initial purchase price of the property must not be less than GHC 200,000;
- The initial purchase price of the property must not be more than GHC 1,200,000;
- The applicant cannot have any other debt.
Once you meet these requirements, you will need to submit an application form and wait for approval from the Bank of Ghana.
The cost of maintaining your new property will depend on the type of property you buy. The average homeowner spends up to 4% of their annual salary maintaining their home, but this figure can vary depending on a range of factors.
One of the most important considerations when deciding whether or not to buy a property is understanding the future implications of interest rate increases.
If you are considering purchasing a property, it's important to consider how long you will be in the property and what type of mortgage you will have.
The reason this is so important is that if rates increase, your monthly payment could also increase. When rates increased in 2008, monthly payments increased by close to $2,000 for the average homeowner with a $200,000 mortgage.
It's important to know that while your monthly payment may increase, your total cost over time might not change much. You'll still own your home and have equity in it after making those higher monthly payments. The key is knowing what you can afford before committing to buying a property.
The cost of buying a house in Ghana can vary depending on a number of factors. The type of property, the location, and the size of the purchase are all factors that will affect the price. Whether you are purchasing a house outright or paying a mortgage, there are legal fees and other costs to take into consideration. If you are looking to buy a house in Ghana, it is important to understand why you are purchasing the property, how long you plan to live there, and what your budget is.
