The Unexpected Costs Of Owning a Home

For most people, buying a home is one of the biggest investments they’ll ever make. If you’re planning to purchase a home, your budget likely includes the down payment and monthly mortgage payments—yet many buyers, particularly first-time homeowners, find their budgets stretched by unexpected costs. In fact, according to a survey by ConsumerAffairs, 44% of recent home buyers said they had already spent more than they’d planned, with the average over-budget amount exceeding $10,000.

While record-breaking home prices over the past several months have contributed to this trend, new homeowners often find themselves surprised by unexpected costs, such as the following:

- Property taxes. Currently, the average property tax rate across the U.S. is 1.1% of a home’s assessed value, but this amount can vary greatly based on location and average home prices.

- Closing costs. The upfront costs of buying a home include more than just the down payment—at closing, you can expect to pay costs ranging from 2-5% of the home’s value. These may include title insurance, mortgage origination fees, surveys, and more depending on your market and lender.

- Utilities. For many people moving from an apartment or rented house to a home of their own, the cost of all the utilities they need can be surprising. From the basics like water and electricity to items that you may or may not

need depending on your preferences and where you live (such as cable, sewer, and trash collection), utility bills can add hundreds of dollars a month to your home ownership costs.

- Insurance. In order to take out a mortgage, you’ll need to provide your lender with proof of homeowners insurance, which will cover certain damage to your home and the items within it. This necessary coverage will cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars per year.