Regarding HOA dues, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc. These amounts get pro-rated at the time of closing. So if any amounts have been paid for by the seller in advance, you will essentially have to "pay back" to the seller the amounts that were paid on your behalf (unless your P and S dictates otherwise). To illustrate, say seller paid $1000 for 6 mos of RE tax and you close exactly half-way through that 6 mo. period. You will owe the seller $500 (half of the tax paid) at close. The title company will figure all this out for you and give you the precise amounts you will need to pay at close. Unfortunately, this information usually comes to you only a day or two prior to close. So be prepared to cough up some extra dough for the closing.
