Homeownership is a dream that many people would love to finally achieve. Having a property that you can call your own is idealistic, but it also comes with monthly fees and bills that need to be taken into consideration.
The Monthly Fees You Need to Know
Before purchasing, it’s important to consider the price of the property as well as monthly bills that will come into play after signing along the dotted line and becoming the rightful owner of the house.
Utilities
Utilities can include necessities like electricity, plumbing, sewage, and heating. There are ways to reduce the costs of your regular utilities, like becoming more energy-efficient, but you’ll still need to save each month to pay these bills. If you live in an area that experiences cold, harsh winters, the fuel or electricity that you use to heat can cost several hundred dollars every month.
Saving money on plumbing and sewage involves purchasing a property that has its own well and septic tank. However, the cost of maintenance comes into play with these aspects as well.
Mortgage
The mortgage must be paid monthly after purchasing a home. Unfortunately, the number of homeowners who are losing their properties to foreclosure is at an all-time record high. In order to prevent this from happening, you need to budget in the cost of the mortgage every month.
To reduce the amount that you pay, you can put more of a down payment on the property or simply purchase one that is more within your budget. Over time, refinancing is an option for lowering the cost of the mortgage.
Insurance
The reality is that houses need house insurance. In the event of a flood, fire or other catastrophic events, you need to know that you and your family are covered. Depending on the type of coverage that you have, your insurance may even cover minor or major repairs to the home itself. Insurance is crucial when you have a mortgage on the property, but it is an important part of ownership even long after the mortgage has been paid off.
Property Taxes
Even after paying off the mortgage, you’ll be left with property taxes. These taxes are governed by your town or city and are assessed during a routine property inspection. The taxes are collected annually and used to help pay for city-specific repairs and upgrades as well as the school budget.
It’s a smart idea to set a little money aside each month so that you can save up for the property tax. If you’re still paying a mortgage, this tax may automatically be tied into it.
Maintenance
It’s a good idea to have a maintenance fund for your home that you put money into each month. This fund will help to pay for minor or major repairs that need to be done as well as equipment that is needed to maintain the landscaping. Having money set aside for maintenance can prevent an emergency financial situation from happening, which could lead you to max out credit cards or taking out loans.