Fargo-Moorhead Real Estate FAQ: Answers for Buyers and Sellers

by Joseph Haj

Straight answers to the questions Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Horace buyers and sellers ask most, from REALTOR® Joseph Haj.

Buying a home

Do I need to sign a buyer agreement to tour homes in Fargo-Moorhead?

Yes, if you tour homes with an agent. Since August 2024, agents working with buyers must have a written agreement in place before touring a home, in person or by live video. You don't need one to walk through an open house. Read the step-by-step buyer guide.

Are there first-time homebuyer programs in North Dakota and Minnesota?

Yes. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency's FirstHome program offers low-cost mortgages plus down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible buyers who haven't owned a home in the last three years. In Minnesota, Minnesota Housing's Start Up program offers fixed-rate first mortgages with down payment assistance. Both have income and price limits.

What are special assessments in Fargo?

Special assessments are charges for streets, water, sewer and similar city projects that benefit a property. They're paid off over a set number of years on the property tax bill and are common in newer neighborhoods in Fargo, West Fargo and Horace. Always ask for the remaining balance before you write an offer. Read what it costs to sell a house in Fargo-Moorhead.

Do I need flood insurance in Fargo-Moorhead?

If the home is in a FEMA-mapped flood zone and you're using a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is required. Homes near the Red River are the most likely to be affected. Check the flood map for the address early.

Do school districts follow city lines in Fargo and West Fargo?

No. Parts of south and west Fargo, including the Osgood neighborhood, are in West Fargo Public Schools. Confirm the assigned schools for any address before you buy. See the Osgood and West Fargo guides.

Selling a home

Is there a transfer tax when you sell a house in Fargo or Moorhead?

North Dakota has no real estate transfer tax or deed tax. Minnesota charges a deed tax of 0.33% of the sale price, usually paid by the seller, so it applies to Moorhead sales. See the full breakdown in what it costs to sell a house in Fargo-Moorhead.

Who pays special assessments when a house sells?

It's negotiated in the purchase agreement. The seller can pay off the remaining balance at closing, the buyer can take it over, or the two can split it.

Are real estate commissions negotiable in Fargo-Moorhead?

Yes. No law sets commission rates, and buyer-agent compensation is negotiated separately from the listing agreement.

How do I find out what my Fargo-Moorhead home is worth?

Request a free home value estimate from Joseph Haj. He prices homes from recent sales near yours, not citywide averages, and will show you a net sheet with every cost. Get a free home value estimate.

Living in Fargo-Moorhead

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Moorhead?

It depends on the home and your income. Minnesota has a higher state income tax than North Dakota, while Moorhead homeowners can apply for homestead with Clay County to lower their property tax. Compare the full monthly cost, not just the price.

What areas does Joseph Haj serve?

Joseph Haj serves Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Horace. He's licensed in both North Dakota and Minnesota, closes 30+ homes a year and has 80+ five-star Google reviews. See the guides for Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Horace.