Hi, guys! This is my experience with mortgage in Russia. Yes, it's kinda boring 😁 But what can be fun about mortgage. I did all my best to make the video funnier.
I found it very interesting. Mortgage hell seems similar the world over! 😄 I'm really glad you got your own place. Now to just get rid of your upstairs neighbors...!
Thank you, this was very interesting, my husband who is Russian, was self-employeed. You are right he could not buy an appt. and because we are a gay couple we had the hardest time trying to buy a place in St-Petersburgh, so we gave up on this idea. So we travel back and forth during the Summer to visits his family and friends. We are from Montreal, Canada. Except this year we did not because of the Russia and UKR situation. All the videos we watch from you are very good and nicely presented.
From what I learned in this video and what I learned as a foreigner trying to just rent an apartment in St. Petersburg this year, I don't think any part of the Russian housing process is easy or stress-free! I'm glad you were able to find such a nice place!
Good day ! Your apartment is very nice !! I like your bookshelf with the blue holders in it . Very neat ! You get alot of sunlight so you can get some plants now . You can get neat plants that has a vine and put on the top of the bookcase ! What is the stuff next to your bed ? Plastic wrap it looks like. I would put your blue storage container in your bedroom as you never know when you can use it .. Also is your refrigerator safe next to the radiator? It could cost you a new frig if the heat is affecting the refrigerator...so make sure its doing ok ..? Im so glad i came across your channel !! I like listening to you to .. Enjoy your week ! Enjoy your new home !! Many blessings to you !
This was very interesting. It was nice to see what things cost in Russia. Our interest rates in the US are very low right now but the cost of housing is so expensive. Also our settlement costs to purchase the home is super expensive. It’s becoming harder and harder to be a home owner here. So proud of you for being able to purchase your own place. It will give you peace of mind to not have a landlord.
That's because since we have the reserve currency the Fed can keep the rates artificially low, while in Russia, with their weak currency, they have to price money more accurately. If their rates were lower, the capital outflows would be severe. (And worse than they already are.)
Fun fact: mortgage in English means dead pledge. In other words, once you pay it off your pledge to do so is dead. WTF insert, you have learned your English well. Good video. 👍
That was all very interesting, ksenia. You did a good job of getting through paperwork, and let people know what to expect. Good video. Warm Wishes from Colin in Edinbrgh 😀
You may want to rethink your plan for throwing all your extra cash at repaying the mortgage faster. To me anyway, it would make more sense to just pay the required amount each month and any extra could be put in a "rainy day" fund. Things will break or need replacing and that's where your "rainy day" fund will save the day. You've got a lot of time to work on the mortgage but not if a necessity needs attention. Wish you all the best, take care. T
Wow very interesting video. Just great to own your own property. We own our Apartment now. We as a couple had a 20 year mortgage. We had a fixed rate for 5 yrs and then a variable. Worked okay for us. Think rates are now increasing in Ireland. We pay a yearly property maintenance and a local property tax! On top of this we have utility bills. But anything is better than having a landlord. Good Luck and enjoy living in your lovely Apartment.
Don't worry, it's all interesting. I'm so glad that you're able to buy your little apartment.. This would be such a small amount of money for an apartment in Canada but it's not relative of course because the cost of living and wages are different worldwide. So, it is a completely different situation. Thank -you for sharing your mortgage details with us as it is always a great education for me to learn about other places. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers from Canada.❤ Edit: In Canada you can put as little as 5% down for a mortgage if you have good credit. Our interest rate was about 2.85% or 2.99%. Our house cost $400,000 Canadian dollars to buy and has 5 acres of land. We are in western Canada.
Try to keep an amount from the sale of the Kommunalka 'tucked away for a rainy day' like emergencies... continue adding to it and you will put some solid foundations under your feet as well as opening up new choices for yourself as it grows.
I was scammed here in Nova Scotia as the real estate agent advised that there was a bidding war and to increase my bid. She lied. The lawyer tried to charge me $20 grand in fees. It was an awful experience.
So proud of you that you were able to purchase your own place even though the mortgage process was not a pleasant experience for you. On most new mortgages here in the US they require 20% down. Our interest rates are much lower here, but our home prices are way too high. A lot of our younger generation prospective home buyers are being priced right out of the housing market and that is a real shame. I am glad for you and hope you enjoy your home ownership.
Some mortgages get sold to other banks cost go up! The investors and banks sell houses then evict the owners ! Even if they paid on time ! This time its going to blow up big time!=8(
@@JLowe-uu8lr In the US, you cannot be evicted if you paid the mortgage on time. That would be illegal and privy to a lawsuit. There are rules in place that a bank must follow before they can move to evict & foreclose. That said, if you don't pay your taxes /home owners insurance, then that is considered non-payment.
That's the suggested amount so you don't pay PMI. You can definitely get FHA loans for as little as 3% down if you have good credit. If you're a veteran and qualify, you can actually get 0% down VA loan. Not that I would recommend that.
In America, mortgage companies are pretty upfront. Good for you to stand your ground. Our mortgage interest rates are probably around 3%, in America.🇺🇸🇺🇸
Unfortunately, I did not find that to be the case in my recent experience in the U.S. They hid/neglected to mention many things from me which caused similar issues and drama that she encountered.
@@mariahsmom9457 Was this recent? They have to legally disclose things after Dodd-Frank Act passed in 2010. Before then it could be a bit iffy with what rate you were getting for example. But on the GFE (Good Faith Estimate) form, they have to upfront with the loan costs, initial rate (it isn't set until it is 'locked' as rates change daily), initial monthly P&I payment, term, cash to close etc. The numbers could change depending on the appraisal, third party costs, and a person's qualifications in underwriting. But at the end, there is a document that compares your initial estimated costs on the GFE to the final ones. Some of these costs are only allowed to change a certain %. Lastly, the final settlement disclosure details the final numbers & the borrower must have 3 days to review it before the loan can legally proceed & close. These document disclosures are required by law to be provided & signed so many days after applying for a mortgage & before closure on the loan. Violations of these regulations by a broker leaves the company open to lawsuits and civil penalties. I used to be a mortgage broker back in 2010-2011 so this is how I know.
It works same way here in the US. Most mortgages are for 30 years, amount of monthly payment is determined by how good credit is. Can get a 15 year mortgage, but those are only good if you are good with money and saving it. Glad you showed this video. Many of the young adults here think they can move somewhere and live cheap, or free. Now they see life works the same around the world, and nobody is just giving away houses.
Realtor is correct too. 👌 You speak & understand English better than a lot of Americans do. I've heard that president Putin speaks English like a native (American.)
@@StPetersburgme That's exactly how you should think about your president. This is exactly what president Trump was trying to get across at a speech he gave. Love your country, love what it has to offer & love your president or put in office one you do. He was primarily addressing all the people who come here illegally. 330 million people...it's getting nuts. Most of the illegal Aliens are never going to work & they will be wards of the state living their lives on government hand outs aka checks. Cool huh. Oh, & if you came here legally it takes up to 10 yrs. to become a citizen. It's all politics. And one party is deeply saddened the Soviet Union does not exist anymore. And, they don't give a damn whether Russians liked it or not. Including all the countries who are now happy Russia doesn't rule them anymore. Russia is smaller but mightier. There are times when America & Russia want to Duke it out (boxing match) but I guarantee you if it came down to it & Russia was being ganged up on they wouldn't be going at it, fighting, alone. And it wouldn't be Australia stepping up to help. President Trump has admiration for Putin & Putin does for Trump. Putin sees & understands the world president Trump understands the world as well but not like Putin does. It helps that he gets to rule longer than 4 yrs or 8 yrs. maximum. He was not happy when Trumps adversaries stole the election. Lucky us he'll be back in office in January 2025. By the way, you have a nice apartment whether you made a fast decision to buy it or not. Your young & if you should move it'll only be up. Unlike Crazy Joe who we have to put up with. He can barely speak. At times. You would have to understand modern American history to know how we as a country got to where we are. The sanctions America has on Russia....it's to placate groups of people. And the "sanctions" I believe are equal to Americans wanting to send you (no one else) money being told we can't because your Russian. But lo & behold you get the money when you thought no money was coming. (It went to say to Holland first before getting to you.) Where there is a will, there usually a way.) Sorry this is so long & jumps all over the place but putting my thoughts in the proper context can do that sometimes. 🤔
Russian mortgages seem to be VERY similar to US mortgages. (insurance requirements and assessments which are called appraisals in the US) We have 15 year and 30 year mortgages. adding just a couple thousand rubles a month to your monthly payment will speed the payoff considerably.
I’m so happy for you. What a pain in the butt it is to buy a house. Not much different here in the US. Interest rates are low right now that’s about the only good thing.
I don't know our % in USA...last I knew it was around 3.5% (?) It sounds like all the Countries are the same, just based on a %...My light bill is $126. a month but goes up & down a lot for some reason...Heating is extra, depends on the month -how cold it is...then we also have insurance..guessing $100 a month...then we have taxes twice a year ( which goes up)...we are stuck with a lot of taxes & insurances....our income is more..they keep your head just above water....I'm glad you have found a second income to help you...do put some $$ aside in case the second disappears....
Ksenia, thank you for your explanation ( your English is excellent) and for your honesty. I applaud you on making such a major decision so quickly and wish you much happiness in your new home. By the way, you look very pretty today and I wish I could help you pay off that mortgage faster!
My feed is slow so im having a problem seeing the whole video but ill keep trying. I got a home in anout 2000. My finances were well documented ... so did it go smooth....no! On top of hugh stack of paperwork and documentation the attitudes of everyone involved except the seller was horrible. I almost passed out from the stress. It was ridiculous i almost walked out and said forget it! You would think people would be glad for the sale and business but they were not, they were very nasty. Horrible experience! But i got a good deal and survived! Lol. Hope yours was better. So interesting. Thanks for sharing. Im so impressed with you that you did your homework, made smart decisions, and survived through this maze of issues! Women power world wide! Lol
Wow what a rate. Here in the Netherlands we pay around 1% morgage rate. That means that for your morgage you would pay around 250 per month, tax discount would probably make it to 220. Buying a house is pretty the same. I wish you al the best in your new house.
Very interesting. So sorry you had that experience with that bank. I've purchased and sold several homes here in the US and there always seems to be some drama/stress so I understand what you've been through. We pay "earnest money" as proof to the seller that we are serious. That amount differs, but on the last home I sold she paid $15,000.00 in earnest money. Typical down payment is usually 20% but there are some programs that allow for less. Then we have to pay "closing costs" on the day that you finally purchase the home and closing costs in the US are crazy expensive. The last home I purchased the closing costs were about $10,000.00. Closing costs pay for the legal fees such as title search, taxes, government fees. The closing costs are usually around 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Anyway too much information but thought I'd share. Interest rates in the US are at an all time low so the housing market is booming. Problem is homes are very expensive right now. Still want to say that I am happy for you to have found such a lovely home. :-)
Congratulations on your new home. Those interest rates sound pretty harsh, In Scotland I pay 3.4% but the costs of buying are cheaper in Russia, we have a Property Tax when you buy a home that gets added on.
We were offered 2.6% at our last renewal last year here in Canada. We also have to pay property taxes & a school tax. At least, condo apartments are cheaper in Russia, a similar apartment here n my region of Canada is $ 145,000 USD.
Thank you very much for this video about mortage costs in Russia and I am really glad that you have been able to buy a new house. Certainly to buy a new house costs a great amount of money, but if you rent an apartment the montly costs are sometimes higher than mortage ones. In Italy are also high.
It's not boring at all. I am also in the process of getting a mortgage, so, I can relate to you! I hope you make a video when you've sold your first mortgage. Thanks so much for the content! Sending you much love from Manila!
when i bought my house it took about 3 months waiting for the solicitor, they do all the paper work not the housing agent, i have a key for electric and a card ,i just go to the shop they put them in a machine and you pay what you want ,i get home and put them in the gas meter, electric meter and it credits the meters with the amount i payed, i could have a different meter but then i would get a bill every three months but i find it cheaper to use the special card and key, you gas and electric are cheaper than ours it looks like ,we seem to pay taxes on everything ,very informative video, look forward to seeing more.
Fascinating! I'm glad it all worked out for you in the end. I live in Scotland (for the past 14 years with my Scots husband), but I am from Florida, USA. I had a mortgage in Florida, and it wasn't too complicated, but there was a TON of paperwork. Three years ago, my husband and I took out a mortgage here in Scotland. It was definitely more complicated, and a lot of fees, etc. Honestly, I think buying a home in any country is very stressful! Well done for getting through it and now having your own home!
Thank you Ksenia. Apartment is very expensive in Russia. If you don't mind I would like to tell you that you have a beautiful smile which I like very much. In fact I am getting addicted to it. Keep smiling always. Thank you again.
It might seem cheap to your american or west european viewers but 74 k is a LOT for a small studio apartment in eastern Europe. And the interest rates are really high in general in eastern Europe, guessing cause of inflation.
Ксения - ты молодец! Ты замечательно и честно всё рассказываешь про Россию. Я рада, что у тебя есть донары на канале, и что своим творческим трудом ты заработала на квартиру. Ты это заслужила!
Thanks for such an excellent, educational and fascinating program. I learned so much about the process of purchasing an apartment in Russia. Even though you faced many challenges in obtaining your mortgage, the end result is worth all of the hassles that you had to contend with. You now are a homeowner ! 👍💯💐🎆. You must be feeling much better now as you looked so beautiful and happy in this vlog. Once again, congratulations on obtaining your new home. Take care and have a pleasant and rewarding week.
This was really interesting. I am a Realtor in Florida and there are some similarities, but we pay a whole lot more for ALL the services fees you described. I hope you enjoy you new apartment. You did a great job of explaining and you deserve to pat yourself on the back for making it all happen!!
Thanks for sharing info.. Very interesting... Sorry they didn't give you a lower interest rate...That is good you can pay it off sooner selling your other apartment and also putting extra monies every month toward your apartment... Here in the USA single people are punished in paying higher yearly income tax if you don't have babies or a husband.. ; ( ... Be well Ksenia
I do admire all that you have accomplished. You are an inspiration to all all young people. It is not that common for a young person to own an apartment, even here in the US.
You are an amazing woman. You chose to fight for life by yourself! Good for you. The appartment is great and sooo tidy. Just make all necessary upgrades just to enable your life. Thank u for sharing all those information with us. In my country we have to pay 25 percent of the total mortage upfront in order to buy a house or appartment. Keep hoing lovely lady👏👏👏👏👏❤❤❤
I think there is a specific Russian bank who gives mortgages to non Russian citizens, for example west europeans. General household here pays € 200 per month for electricity and gas only. Now because prices have increased, currently here we pay 3x till 5x more, so €200 became €600 per month for electricity/gas only. 🥶.
My advice is to make first a 'security fund' where you have money for 6 month of expenses. If you lose you job or something happens you can count on those money. Then make a small emergency fund where you have money if something needs to be fixed in the house, you need to go to doctor, etc ( small things). After that start to pay more at the bank ! First ensure your short term financial security ! I like your channel, I am watching you from Romania 🇷🇴
Good day ! I just found your Site about 2 hours ago !! CONGRATULATIONS !! welcome to the world of being a homeowner !! Are you happy in your new home ? How do the kitties like it ? Did you get a 2 bedrooms ? Is your kitchen bigger ? I hope you have many many Years of happiness. Love and Laughter n joy ! Many blessings to you ! I really like your channel and you as you explain things really well .. I have 2 friends in st Petersburg ... Im going to watch the tour of your new home .. Enjoy your home ! Im in Pennsylvania in the USA Your new fan now !!
Super cheap bills in russia, in the UK we pay like £55/5300 rubles per month for electricity, and then another £55 for gas, and then we have water bills which is like £33/3200 rubles per month, and then council tax bills which is like £160/15500 rubles per month, and a stupid tv license bill which is like £13/1300 rubles per month. Honestly the UK is such a rip off full of taxes i hate it here, the quality of life is terrible too. I cannot wait to emigrate abroad when i have the money, but its hard to get the money together when your government is hell bent on taxing you to death.
During your day job are you required to produce clear and comprehensive reports? Or is this just an after-hours talent? Mortgage transactions are just as stressful in America. Delighted that you are happy with your purchase.
I am so happy for you that you were able to buy your own apartment. Make sure when you're paying extra on the mortgage that it is specified as principal only. You don't want your extra payment to be applied to interest. It was very interesting to learn the prices and the process in Russia. You're young and smart and will be glad when you are older that your mortgage is paid off.
Another Russian TH-camr NFKRZ mentioned that buying an apartment under construction is a risk because what if the contractor goes belly up and never finishes the job? They take your money and you have no apartment.
Yes, that's right! That happens with new construction companies that appear on the market. They offer great discounts, people believe them, and then they go bankrupt. Those companies which exist for a long time, are ok. But their apartments cost a fortune. And people in Russian are not the richest people in the world. However buying an apartment which exists already can also be dangerous for your pocket. There are many cases when seller says that they are the only owners. People buy the apt. And then it occurs that one more person owns your apt. They just were excluded from the documents illegally. This person wins in the cort and takes your apt back. And you continue paying mortgage and go living "on streets". So people have to check all the sellers documents thoroughly before the purchase anyway.
@@StPetersburgme In the US, there is title insurance to prevent this sort of thing from happening. It's rare, but can happen if something didn't get recorded at the courthouse properly or a title company missed it. The bank will require it if one is taking out a mortgage, but technically this does not cover the buyer, just the bank's portion. The buyer can elect to buy their own title insurance though. It's another cost, but imo well worth it for the peace of mind. I can't imagine having that happen years or decades later and then losing the property & all that money put toward the mortage.
Very interesting! Here in the USA mortgage interest rates are very low right now. Around 3% but they are saying that very soon it will go up. However, back around 1987 or so rates were around 12% and higher. It was awful. Your utility bills are much much lower than ours. Plumbers here charge a flat rate if about $80-$100 just to come to your home and then whatever the problem is costs more. So you could end up having to pay him hundreds of dollars. Now renting apartments here, depending on how many bedrooms there are can cost $600-$2,000.
Very happy to see that it all worked out in the end. Hopefully your bank doesn't charge a pre-payment penalty for paying off your mortgage early. In Russia, if you include extra money per month does it go automatically to your principal or is it just a pre-payment for the next month? Most banks in the USA, if you send in extra on the mortgage you have to specify the extra money is for the principal amount. The mortgage is amortized with the interest at the front of the loan. This is so the bank makes it's profit first before you pay the principal. This is why some banks charge a pre-payment penalty. They don't want to loose that precocious profit! LOL Most banks however do not do this. Hopefully your sale of the other property goes through and you can pay off a substantial amount of your loan. Very interesting information. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more videos and seeing how you make your new place more of your own. Take care! Mike & Melly
You don't pay much for common areas . for my apartment cost me $430 amonth it was much bigger than yours but still expensive . Enjoy your apartment is beautiful ❤️
Dear Ksenia! This was very interesting video! We also decided to buy a flat in Czech republic, but believe me, changing bank in 1.5 day wouldn't be possible here. The other difference is that life insurance is not necessary here, but I think it is a good thing-it protects you also. Good luck on your own! And, BTW, I didn't realize you can buy room in komunalka for mortage , I thought it is more like state/city owned...
Hi, guys! This is my experience with mortgage in Russia. Yes, it's kinda boring 😁 But what can be fun about mortgage. I did all my best to make the video funnier.
I found it very interesting. Mortgage hell seems similar the world over! 😄 I'm really glad you got your own place. Now to just get rid of your upstairs neighbors...!
I think it's the same almost all over the world...not so easy to handle and high mortgage costs.
Your the best
Banks in the United States are just as bad!
You are pretty
Wow, that was such a great detailed video about the cost of buying an apartment in Russia. Loved it. Thank you, Ksenia!😀
You look nice today Ksenia
Thanks for sharing and the graphics and sounds to help get through the information that normally is boring.
Congratulations on your new apartment! 💗
Your channel is very interesting, and your personality is delightful!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you, this was very interesting, my husband who is Russian, was self-employeed. You are right he could not buy an appt. and because we are a gay couple we had the hardest time trying to buy a place in St-Petersburgh, so we gave up on this idea. So we travel back and forth during the Summer to visits his family and friends. We are from Montreal, Canada. Except this year we did not because of the Russia and UKR situation. All the videos we watch from you are very good and nicely presented.
From what I learned in this video and what I learned as a foreigner trying to just rent an apartment in St. Petersburg this year, I don't think any part of the Russian housing process is easy or stress-free! I'm glad you were able to find such a nice place!
Thank you for sharing! I think that helps to get used to stress. Useful feature in Russia 😁
Yes it is a very cute apt. I like the windows, the views and it has lots of character. Congratulations!
Good day !
Your apartment is very nice !!
I like your bookshelf with the blue holders in it . Very neat !
You get alot of sunlight so you can get some plants now .
You can get neat plants that has a vine and put on the top of the bookcase !
What is the stuff next to your bed ? Plastic wrap it looks like.
I would put your blue storage container in your bedroom as you never know when you can use it ..
Also is your refrigerator safe next to the radiator?
It could cost you a new frig if the heat is affecting the refrigerator...so make sure its doing ok ..?
Im so glad i came across your channel !! I like listening to you to ..
Enjoy your week !
Enjoy your new home !!
Many blessings to you !
Congratulations for having a own appartment. Its every one dream.
This was very interesting. It was nice to see what things cost in Russia. Our interest rates in the US are very low right now but the cost of housing is so expensive. Also our settlement costs to purchase the home is super expensive. It’s becoming harder and harder to be a home owner here. So proud of you for being able to purchase your own place. It will give you peace of mind to not have a landlord.
That's because since we have the reserve currency the Fed can keep the rates artificially low, while in Russia, with their weak currency, they have to price money more accurately. If their rates were lower, the capital outflows would be severe. (And worse than they already are.)
We are very similar over here in Canada. Thanks Zsenia!
Your English is very good.
Congratulations on buying your first home!!!! Very excited and happy for you----what an accomplishment!
Very interesting, Ksenia. Not too different from obtaining a mortgage in the USA. Sorry you had to experience that mortgage drama!
Congratulations again on your new apartment! You can also make 2 (two) additional monthly payments each year.
I own an apartment in the UK and it is interesting to see the similarities and differences between the UK and Russia.
Ksenia thank you for the honest information on your situation. Very interesting to hear how it compares to the US system.
Very interesting content. I always look forward to a new video of yours!
Thank you!
Fun fact: mortgage in English means dead pledge. In other words,
once you pay it off your pledge to do so is dead.
WTF insert, you have learned your English well.
Good video. 👍
Thank you for the honest video! (It was very educational!)
Realtor is also correct!
Your hair suits you longer, very interesting video 👍🙂
I agree, so nice
Bless you Xenia.
Hi Ksenia, Exactly same crap here in the states. I’m glad you got your apartment.
Thanks for this video, I am moving to Saint Petersburg soon and thinking about buying an apartment.
That was all very interesting, ksenia. You did a good job of getting through paperwork, and let people know what to expect. Good video.
Warm Wishes from Colin in Edinbrgh 😀
You may want to rethink your plan for throwing all your extra cash at repaying the mortgage faster. To me anyway, it would make more sense to just pay the required amount each month and any extra could be put in a "rainy day" fund. Things will break or need replacing and that's where your "rainy day" fund will save the day. You've got a lot of time to work on the mortgage but not if a necessity needs attention.
Wish you all the best, take care. T
I agree.....I pay a small amount extra each month but it is best to have a nest egg as we call it.
Wow very interesting video. Just great to own your own property. We own our Apartment now. We as a couple had a 20 year mortgage. We had a fixed rate for 5 yrs and then a variable. Worked okay for us. Think rates are now increasing in Ireland. We pay a yearly property maintenance and a local property tax! On top of this we have utility bills. But anything is better than having a landlord. Good Luck and enjoy living in your lovely Apartment.
Don't worry, it's all interesting. I'm so glad that you're able to buy your little apartment.. This would be such a small amount of money for an apartment in Canada but it's not relative of course because the cost of living and wages are different worldwide. So, it is a completely different situation. Thank -you for sharing your mortgage details with us as it is always a great education for me to learn about other places. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers from Canada.❤
Edit: In Canada you can put as little as 5% down for a mortgage if you have good credit. Our interest rate was about 2.85% or 2.99%. Our house cost $400,000 Canadian dollars to buy and has 5 acres of land. We are in western Canada.
Thanks for sharing! 5 acres of land! Wow!
We also say realtor. Your English is great! Keep up the good work!
I’m Inlove
I think you did well. As before in other video I think your new home is awesome, I like the floors they look great.👍
Thank 'YOU Ksenia❣️
Congratulations!
Try to keep an amount from the sale of the Kommunalka 'tucked away for a rainy day'
like emergencies... continue adding to it and you will put some solid foundations under your feet
as well as opening up new choices for yourself as it grows.
You had quite an experience. Glad there were good people out there to help you.❤️
That was so very interesting thank you,gas meter is what we call a gas counter🦋
I'm very happy that I found this channel. Hello from Nova Scotia, Canada.
Thank you! Hello, Canada!!
I was scammed here in Nova Scotia as the real estate agent advised that there was a bidding war and to increase my bid. She lied. The lawyer tried to charge me $20 grand in fees. It was an awful experience.
I didn't find it boring. This is the kinda stuff I geek out on so X-D
Congratulations on your new apartment! I hope you are settling well and enjoy the neighborhood as well !
Thanks Ksenia. Excellent video as usual.
Thank you for the video! I have been wondering about this process for a while!!
So proud of you that you were able to purchase your own place even though the mortgage process was not a pleasant experience for you. On most new mortgages here in the US they require 20% down. Our interest rates are much lower here, but our home prices are way too high. A lot of our younger generation prospective home buyers are being priced right out of the housing market and that is a real shame. I am glad for you and hope you enjoy your home ownership.
Some mortgages get sold to other banks cost go up!
The investors and banks sell houses then evict the owners ! Even if they paid on time ! This time its going to blow up big time!=8(
I think you can pay as little as 1% down on an FHA or even conventional loan. I was recently offered this. Terrible lending practice!
@@JLowe-uu8lr In the US, you cannot be evicted if you paid the mortgage on time. That would be illegal and privy to a lawsuit. There are rules in place that a bank must follow before they can move to evict & foreclose. That said, if you don't pay your taxes /home owners insurance, then that is considered non-payment.
That's the suggested amount so you don't pay PMI. You can definitely get FHA loans for as little as 3% down if you have good credit. If you're a veteran and qualify, you can actually get 0% down VA loan. Not that I would recommend that.
Very nice 👍
Love your new home
In America, mortgage companies are pretty upfront. Good for you to stand your ground. Our mortgage interest rates are probably around 3%, in America.🇺🇸🇺🇸
Unfortunately, I did not find that to be the case in my recent experience in the U.S. They hid/neglected to mention many things from me which caused similar issues and drama that she encountered.
@@mariahsmom9457 Was this recent? They have to legally disclose things after Dodd-Frank Act passed in 2010. Before then it could be a bit iffy with what rate you were getting for example. But on the GFE (Good Faith Estimate) form, they have to upfront with the loan costs, initial rate (it isn't set until it is 'locked' as rates change daily), initial monthly P&I payment, term, cash to close etc. The numbers could change depending on the appraisal, third party costs, and a person's qualifications in underwriting. But at the end, there is a document that compares your initial estimated costs on the GFE to the final ones. Some of these costs are only allowed to change a certain %. Lastly, the final settlement disclosure details the final numbers & the borrower must have 3 days to review it before the loan can legally proceed & close.
These document disclosures are required by law to be provided & signed so many days after applying for a mortgage & before closure on the loan. Violations of these regulations by a broker leaves the company open to lawsuits and civil penalties. I used to be a mortgage broker back in 2010-2011 so this is how I know.
So sorry you went through that nightmare.
Wouldn’t it be great if someone just paid this off for her! I wish I had money to spare!
That would be great 😁
It works same way here in the US. Most mortgages are for 30 years, amount of monthly payment is determined by how good credit is. Can get a 15 year mortgage, but those are only good if you are good with money and saving it. Glad you showed this video. Many of the young adults here think they can move somewhere and live cheap, or free. Now they see life works the same around the world, and nobody is just giving away houses.
Realtor is correct too. 👌 You speak & understand English better than a lot of Americans do. I've heard that president Putin speaks English like a native (American.)
Putin does everything very well! English, German, Hindu, Arabic are just 👍 Best president in the world.
@@StPetersburgme That's exactly how you should think about your president. This is exactly what president Trump was trying to get across at a speech he gave. Love your country, love what it has to offer & love your president or put in office one you do. He was primarily addressing all the people who come here illegally. 330 million people...it's getting nuts. Most of the illegal Aliens are never going to work & they will be wards of the state living their lives on government hand outs aka checks. Cool huh. Oh, & if you came here legally it takes up to 10 yrs. to become a citizen. It's all politics. And one party is deeply saddened the Soviet Union does not exist anymore. And, they don't give a damn whether Russians liked it or not. Including all the countries who are now happy Russia doesn't rule them anymore. Russia is smaller but mightier. There are times when America & Russia want to Duke it out (boxing match) but I guarantee you if it came down to it & Russia was being ganged up on they wouldn't be going at it, fighting, alone. And it wouldn't be Australia stepping up to help. President Trump has admiration for Putin & Putin does for Trump. Putin sees & understands the world president Trump understands the world as well but not like Putin does. It helps that he gets to rule longer than 4 yrs or 8 yrs. maximum. He was not happy when Trumps adversaries stole the election. Lucky us he'll be back in office in January 2025. By the way, you have a nice apartment whether you made a fast decision to buy it or not. Your young & if you should move it'll only be up.
Unlike Crazy Joe who we have to put up with. He can barely speak. At times. You would have to understand modern American history to know how we as a country got to where we are. The sanctions America has on Russia....it's to placate groups of people. And the "sanctions" I believe are equal to Americans wanting to send you (no one else) money being told we can't because your Russian. But lo & behold you get the money when you thought no money was coming. (It went to say to Holland first before getting to you.) Where there is a will, there usually a way.) Sorry this is so long & jumps all over the place but putting my thoughts in the proper context can do that sometimes. 🤔
Russian mortgages seem to be VERY similar to US mortgages. (insurance requirements and assessments which are called appraisals in the US) We have 15 year and 30 year mortgages. adding just a couple thousand rubles a month to your monthly payment will speed the payoff considerably.
Great interesting video on Russian mortgage process. Thanks for sharing. Congrats on buying your Apartment.
Interesting topic regarding mortgage and interest rates.
I’m so happy for you. What a pain in the butt it is to buy a house. Not much different here in the US. Interest rates are low right now that’s about the only good thing.
I don't know our % in USA...last I knew it was around 3.5% (?) It sounds like all the Countries are the same, just based on a %...My light bill is $126. a month but goes up & down a lot for some reason...Heating is extra, depends on the month -how cold it is...then we also have insurance..guessing $100 a month...then we have taxes twice a year ( which goes up)...we are stuck with a lot of taxes & insurances....our income is more..they keep your head just above water....I'm glad you have found a second income to help you...do put some $$ aside in case the second disappears....
Hey, books! You should do an episode going through your book collection!
Ksenia, thank you for your explanation ( your English is excellent) and for your honesty. I applaud you on making such a major decision so quickly and wish you much happiness in your new home. By the way, you look very pretty today and I wish I could help you pay off that mortgage faster!
My feed is slow so im having a problem seeing the whole video but ill keep trying. I got a home in anout 2000. My finances were well documented ... so did it go smooth....no! On top of hugh stack of paperwork and documentation the attitudes of everyone involved except the seller was horrible. I almost passed out from the stress. It was ridiculous i almost walked out and said forget it! You would think people would be glad for the sale and business but they were not, they were very nasty. Horrible experience! But i got a good deal and survived! Lol. Hope yours was better. So interesting. Thanks for sharing. Im so impressed with you that you did your homework, made smart decisions, and survived through this maze of issues! Women power world wide! Lol
Wow what a rate. Here in the Netherlands we pay around 1% morgage rate. That means that for your morgage you would pay around 250 per month, tax discount would probably make it to 220. Buying a house is pretty the same. I wish you al the best in your new house.
Congradulations on your new home. Love your videos.
Love your vids just binged on them !=8)
Very interesting. So sorry you had that experience with that bank. I've purchased and sold several homes here in the US and there always seems to be some drama/stress so I understand what you've been through. We pay "earnest money" as proof to the seller that we are serious. That amount differs, but on the last home I sold she paid $15,000.00 in earnest money. Typical down payment is usually 20% but there are some programs that allow for less. Then we have to pay "closing costs" on the day that you finally purchase the home and closing costs in the US are crazy expensive. The last home I purchased the closing costs were about $10,000.00. Closing costs pay for the legal fees such as title search, taxes, government fees. The closing costs are usually around 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Anyway too much information but thought I'd share. Interest rates in the US are at an all time low so the housing market is booming. Problem is homes are very expensive right now. Still want to say that I am happy for you to have found such a lovely home. :-)
Thanks for sharing! It's interesting to know.
Congratulations on your new home. Those interest rates sound pretty harsh, In Scotland I pay 3.4% but the costs of buying are cheaper in Russia, we have a Property Tax when you buy a home that gets added on.
We were offered 2.6% at our last renewal last year here in Canada. We also have to pay property taxes & a school tax. At least, condo apartments are cheaper in Russia, a similar apartment here n my region of Canada is $ 145,000 USD.
Congratulations! This is a significant milestone to be proud of. Mortgage approval for someone your age is next to impossible to come by in Canada.
Thank You💐❤😘
Thank you very much for this video about mortage costs in Russia and I am really glad that you have been able to buy a new house. Certainly to buy a new house costs a great amount of money, but if you rent an apartment the montly costs are sometimes higher than mortage ones. In Italy are also high.
It's not boring at all. I am also in the process of getting a mortgage, so, I can relate to you! I hope you make a video when you've sold your first mortgage. Thanks so much for the content! Sending you much love from Manila!
Great video and very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
This was interesting. You persevered and got your new apartment. So proud of you. Good work
when i bought my house it took about 3 months waiting for the solicitor, they do all the paper work not the housing agent, i have a key for electric and a card ,i just go to the shop they put them in a machine and you pay what you want ,i get home and put them in the gas meter, electric meter and it credits the meters with the amount i payed, i could have a different meter but then i would get a bill every three months but i find it cheaper to use the special card and key, you gas and electric are cheaper than ours it looks like ,we seem to pay taxes on everything ,very informative video, look forward to seeing more.
Very interesting. Thank you for the detailed information. I enjoy your videos very much. Congratulations on your new home!
That was very interesting you should do a live stream to help raise funds.
Fascinating! I'm glad it all worked out for you in the end. I live in Scotland (for the past 14 years with my Scots husband), but I am from Florida, USA. I had a mortgage in Florida, and it wasn't too complicated, but there was a TON of paperwork. Three years ago, my husband and I took out a mortgage here in Scotland. It was definitely more complicated, and a lot of fees, etc. Honestly, I think buying a home in any country is very stressful! Well done for getting through it and now having your own home!
Thank you Ksenia. Apartment is very expensive in Russia. If you don't mind I would like to tell you that you have a beautiful smile which I like very much. In fact I am getting addicted to it. Keep smiling always. Thank you again.
It might seem cheap to your american or west european viewers but 74 k is a LOT for a small studio apartment in eastern Europe. And the interest rates are really high in general in eastern Europe, guessing cause of inflation.
Yes, you are right!
You a wonderful person your videos is the best keep videos I like to see in russia next year I like to chat with you
Congratulations Xenia it's a lot of papers and payments yet place is very nice..mortgage rate in Canada is 1.84..kisses
Ксения - ты молодец! Ты замечательно и честно всё рассказываешь про Россию. Я рада, что у тебя есть донары на канале, и что своим творческим трудом ты заработала на квартиру. Ты это заслужила!
Благодарю!
Thanks for such an excellent, educational and fascinating program. I learned so much about the process of purchasing an apartment in Russia. Even though you faced many challenges in obtaining your mortgage, the end result is worth all of the hassles that you had to contend with. You now are a homeowner ! 👍💯💐🎆. You must be feeling much better now as you looked so beautiful and happy in this vlog. Once again, congratulations on obtaining your new home. Take care and have a pleasant and rewarding week.
This was really interesting. I am a Realtor in Florida and there are some similarities, but we pay a whole lot more for ALL the services fees you described. I hope you enjoy you new apartment. You did a great job of explaining and you deserve to pat yourself on the back for making it all happen!!
Thanks for sharing info.. Very interesting... Sorry they didn't give you a lower interest rate...That is good you can pay it off sooner selling your other apartment and also putting extra monies every month toward your apartment... Here in the USA single people are punished in paying higher yearly income tax if you don't have babies or a husband.. ; ( ... Be well Ksenia
Thanks for sharing! Oh, But I think getting rid of mortgage sooner is better.
Our mortgage is $2000/month (140,000 rubles) at 3.9% interest, but we own a 2 family so the rent covers about half.
Wow, that is too much.
@@StPetersburgme Tell me about it, but we could easily be spending that much every month on rent! That cost also covers property tax and insurance.
Very interesting!!
I do admire all that you have accomplished. You are an inspiration to all all young people. It is not that common for a young person to own an apartment, even here in the US.
You are an amazing woman. You chose to fight for life by yourself! Good for you. The appartment is great and sooo tidy. Just make all necessary upgrades just to enable your life. Thank u for sharing all those information with us. In my country we have to pay 25 percent of the total mortage upfront in order to buy a house or appartment. Keep hoing lovely lady👏👏👏👏👏❤❤❤
I think there is a specific Russian bank who gives mortgages to non Russian citizens, for example west europeans. General household here pays € 200 per month for electricity and gas only. Now because prices have increased, currently here we pay 3x till 5x more, so €200 became €600 per month for electricity/gas only. 🥶.
My advice is to make first a 'security fund' where you have money for 6 month of expenses. If you lose you job or something happens you can count on those money. Then make a small emergency fund where you have money if something needs to be fixed in the house, you need to go to doctor, etc ( small things). After that start to pay more at the bank ! First ensure your short term financial security !
I like your channel, I am watching you from Romania 🇷🇴
That is a good advice! Thank you! Hi, Romania! I visited Arad in 2008. Nice city!!
Good day ! I just found your
Site about 2 hours ago !!
CONGRATULATIONS !!
welcome to the world of being a homeowner !!
Are you happy in your new home ?
How do the kitties like it ?
Did you get a 2 bedrooms ?
Is your kitchen bigger ?
I hope you have many many
Years of happiness. Love and
Laughter n joy !
Many blessings to you !
I really like your channel and you as you explain things really well ..
I have 2 friends in st Petersburg ...
Im going to watch the tour of your new home ..
Enjoy your home !
Im in Pennsylvania in the USA
Your new fan now !!
Super cheap bills in russia, in the UK we pay like £55/5300 rubles per month for electricity, and then another £55 for gas, and then we have water bills which is like £33/3200 rubles per month, and then council tax bills which is like £160/15500 rubles per month, and a stupid tv license bill which is like £13/1300 rubles per month. Honestly the UK is such a rip off full of taxes i hate it here, the quality of life is terrible too. I cannot wait to emigrate abroad when i have the money, but its hard to get the money together when your government is hell bent on taxing you to death.
Same in the US, but you have to consider that they get paid very low wages in Russia.
Their wages are incredibly low so it turns out the same or worse.
During your day job are you required to produce clear and comprehensive reports? Or is this just an
after-hours talent? Mortgage transactions are just as stressful in America. Delighted that you are happy with your purchase.
I bought my mobile home and property in 2009 for $6000.00 with all utilities connected. You have a nice apartment now😊👍❣
Than seems like a nice deal!
Very interesting and informative video. Very similar to the US process, except our interest rates are of course much lower...for now.
I am so happy for you that you were able to buy your own apartment. Make sure when you're paying extra on the mortgage that it is specified as principal only. You don't want your extra payment to be applied to interest. It was very interesting to learn the prices and the process in Russia. You're young and smart and will be glad when you are older that your mortgage is paid off.
Another Russian TH-camr NFKRZ mentioned that buying an apartment under construction is a risk because what if the contractor goes belly up and never finishes the job? They take your money and you have no apartment.
Yes, that's right! That happens with new construction companies that appear on the market. They offer great discounts, people believe them, and then they go bankrupt. Those companies which exist for a long time, are ok. But their apartments cost a fortune. And people in Russian are not the richest people in the world. However buying an apartment which exists already can also be dangerous for your pocket. There are many cases when seller says that they are the only owners. People buy the apt. And then it occurs that one more person owns your apt. They just were excluded from the documents illegally. This person wins in the cort and takes your apt back. And you continue paying mortgage and go living "on streets". So people have to check all the sellers documents thoroughly before the purchase anyway.
@@StPetersburgme In the US, there is title insurance to prevent this sort of thing from happening. It's rare, but can happen if something didn't get recorded at the courthouse properly or a title company missed it. The bank will require it if one is taking out a mortgage, but technically this does not cover the buyer, just the bank's portion. The buyer can elect to buy their own title insurance though. It's another cost, but imo well worth it for the peace of mind.
I can't imagine having that happen years or decades later and then losing the property & all that money put toward the mortage.
Very interesting! Here in the USA mortgage interest rates are very low right now. Around 3% but they are saying that very soon it will go up. However, back around 1987 or so rates were around 12% and higher. It was awful. Your utility bills are much much lower than ours. Plumbers here charge a flat rate if about $80-$100 just to come to your home and then whatever the problem is costs more. So you could end up having to pay him hundreds of dollars. Now renting apartments here, depending on how many bedrooms there are can cost $600-$2,000.
Very happy to see that it all worked out in the end. Hopefully your bank doesn't charge a pre-payment penalty for paying off your mortgage early. In Russia, if you include extra money per month does it go automatically to your principal or is it just a pre-payment for the next month? Most banks in the USA, if you send in extra on the mortgage you have to specify the extra money is for the principal amount. The mortgage is amortized with the interest at the front of the loan. This is so the bank makes it's profit first before you pay the principal. This is why some banks charge a pre-payment penalty. They don't want to loose that precocious profit! LOL Most banks however do not do this. Hopefully your sale of the other property goes through and you can pay off a substantial amount of your loan. Very interesting information. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more videos and seeing how you make your new place more of your own. Take care!
Mike & Melly
Thank you! I pay extra towards the principal on my mortgage every month. I am in the US. 🏠
Congratulations you are a Smart girl ,you now have security long run less stress and a asset .I know how stressful getting morgage
You made a good investment, you are delightful and have a wonderful personality.
That is very expensive just to hire an agent. But I suppose it is necessary. Oh no, interest rates are high too.
You don't pay much for common areas . for my apartment cost me $430 amonth it was much bigger than yours but still expensive .
Enjoy your apartment is beautiful ❤️
Dear Ksenia! This was very interesting video! We also decided to buy a flat in Czech republic, but believe me, changing bank in 1.5 day wouldn't be possible here. The other difference is that life insurance is not necessary here, but I think it is a good thing-it protects you also. Good luck on your own! And, BTW, I didn't realize you can buy room in komunalka for mortage , I thought it is more like state/city owned...