Is it just me or does the cost of a real estate transaction seem to be creeping up? From the down payment, to closing costs, and everything in between. I can't help but wonder how much more money we're all spending on this process than our parents ever had to spend! So what are some ways that you can save on these costs? Let's take a look at 5 tips for saving on those pesky expenses.

• Be selective of houses in a hot market. When the prices are high, it's harder to find something that fits your needs without breaking the bank. Plan ahead and buy when things are more affordable instead of getting caught up in the hype of buying before you can afford to enter the deal.

• Know what is included with your property taxes: you may be paying for services you don't need or receive. For example, if your property tax includes garbage pick-up and yard maintenance, but you take care of that yourself, then it's costing you more than necessary to live there!

• Have trusted business partners. Private lending, private investors, and other sources of other people’s money obviously can save you from spending your own cash. As long as the deal is good and you can find other deals that like it, your source of money may continue to funding your deals.

• If you're not in need of an inspection to purchase your home, make sure that this is stipulated in the contract before any money exchanges hands. This will save you from paying for something out-of-pocket when it could have been avoided!

• If you're not confident in your negotiation skills, find someone to negotiate for you. This will save on the commission or hidden costs that they charge and give them incentive to secure a good deal on your behalf.

We hope you found these tips helpful in saving money on your real estate transaction. If so, we want to hear from you! Take advantage of our consultation. Our team will help map out the best plan for finding deals. And don't forget about those pesky closing costs! There are ways to save on them too!