Expenses to Consider BEFORE Buying a Home
After several years of a slow market, buying is finally picking up! Mortgage rates are at a historic low, meaning owning a home could be more affordable than ever. However, if you are contemplating renting or buying, it is crucial to realize that your costs will go beyond your monthly mortgage payment. As a home owner, you will be responsible for several additional costs.
Here are a few things to consider when buying a home…
Property Taxes
You will be responsible for paying annual taxes on the property you own. Often, these taxes are bundled into your monthly mortgage payment and held in an escrow account, and the mortgage company pays them for you each year. If you choose to pay taxes this way, be prepared for your mortgage payment to be a little higher each month to cover taxes.
Home Insurance
As a renter, you may have purchased renters insurance to cover the cost of your belongings inside the home, but as a homeowner, you must pay to insure your entire home from fire or other damages. If you live near water, you may be required to pay extra for flood insurance. This expense is also frequently included in your monthly mortgage payment and held in escrow until annual premiums are due.
Ongoing Maintenance
When a homeowner wakes up to a broken water heater and a cold shower, you can’t call the landlord or the maintenance department for help. You must find a plumber, pay the bill, and purchase a new water heater or parts or whatever is needed. As a homeowner, it’s important to have a cash fund available for emergencies – you never know when you may need to fix a leaky faucet, a broken lawn mower or buy a new dishwasher.
Utility Bills
Some landlords cover water and sewer bills, and others include cable or Internet access with a lease agreement. As a homeowner, you won’t benefit from any such perks; you’ll be responsible for paying all the monthly bills, including some that you might not even think of as a new homeowner such as trash pickup or landscaping.
If you are financially prepared for the costs associated with owning a home, it may be the best choice, as it will allow you to build equity that you can benefit from for years to come.
Courtesy of Liberty Mutual