Is there a hidden cost associated with owning a home, and if so, how much will my monthly fees be? Owning a home comes with additional, unanticipated costs that need to be kept in mind. Some expenses are strictly monetary and largely out of your control. It is prudent to assume upfront that fees will account for a significant portion of your home purchase costs. There are ongoing expenses associated with purchasing a home. So, When you buy a house, what do you pay monthly?
When you purchase a house, and whenever you have closed on the home, you’re supposed to pay monthly costs. You are expected to make mortgage payments as part of the overall cost of owning a home. Homeowners insurance, homeowner’s association fees (HOA), property taxes, and private mortgage insurance are just a few additional costs alongside your mortgage payment. You’ll also pay for home utilities, maintenance, and unexpected repairs.
Potential costs associated with home ownership
As a potential buyer, every real estate agent will tell you that owning a home is less expensive than renting a comparable property. Looking at the difference between your mortgage payment and the amount you would have otherwise paid in rent, that is also true. However, you need to be aware of additional hidden costs associated with home ownership besides mortgage payments. With that in mind, let’s examine potential expenses related to home ownership that you should anticipate after buying a home.
Mortgage payments
After owning a home, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to be able to pay your mortgage payments. Mortgage payments are fees that will undoubtedly be your most considerable recurring house expense. The first part of your mortgage payments includes your principal. A principal is an amount borrowed from your lender to buy a house. Suppose you bought a home worth $250,000 with a 20% down payment of your own money(50,000). Your principal balance is $200,000.
The second part of your mortgage payments is the interest. Interest is the percentage of your principal balance that you have left to repay. The interest rates may constantly change. Therefore, select a mortgage with a fixed interest rate to determine your monthly payment. The median monthly mortgage payment in the United States is $1,100, according to the most recent American Housing Survey data from the United States Census Bureau. You can use the provided mortgage calculator to calculate your mortgage and possible interest rates in different states.
Private Mortgage Insurance
Your lender may require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) if the down payment on a conventional loan is less than 20%. The PMI will be added to your mortgage payments. PMI helps you be eligible for more loans that you could not otherwise be able to get. However, PMI safeguards the lender, not the borrower, when you fail to make your mortgage payments. Once you have at least 20% equity in your home, you can get rid of your mortgage insurance. The annual cost of mortgage insurance can be as much as 2% of your loan in the first year and about 0.5% of the outstanding loan balance in subsequent years.
Property taxes
You must pay property taxes in addition to your mortgage, which you can include in your monthly mortgage payments. Property taxes are often calculated differently depending on your city and state. As of 2022, the national average property tax rate is 1.07% of your property’s value. A property tax calculator can show your state’s average property tax rate. Property taxes may rise if the value of homes in your neighborhood rises or the local government decides to fund municipal projects or other expenses.
Homeowners Insurance
When you become a homeowner, you are responsible for safeguarding your home from devastating events like fires or tornadoes. It is, therefore, wise to maintain a homeowners insurance policy. Purchasing home insurance is the best choice if you want to eliminate the risk of having to pay for catastrophes out of your pocket. The amount of coverage you need determines the cost of your homeowner’s insurance. Areas that are prone to flooding or hurricanes are not covered by standard home insurance policies. You’ll need to obtain a separate flood or windstorm insurance policy.
Homeowners Association (HOA) fees
On the off chance that your house is in a local where the homeowners association regulates the area, you’ll presumably pay these expenses. Therefore, if you purchased a condo or townhouse, it is recommended that you inquire as to whether the community is a member of a homeowners association so that you can live in compliance with the community’s rules and regulations, which HOA fees cover. The type and quantity of services the HOA provides will determine your fees. Security, pool or gym upkeep, landscaping, and occasional minor repairs are all possible HOA services. The age and size of your house may also affect how much you pay.
Home maintenance
Regular upkeep, including major repairs like replacing your roof and air filters, will be necessary for your house. If you have previously rented, these funds may seem unnecessary because your landlord was responsible for some home maintenance and repairs. As a new homeowner, you must prepare and plan for your home maintenance and repairs by setting aside additional funds for potential appliance repairs or replacements, including significant structures and systems like lawn care or HVAC tune-ups. It is recommended that you set aside up to 1% of the value of your home each year for home maintenance.
You can also set aside some money as home emergency funds. The funds will help you manage unexpected home-related costs and avoid using your emergency savings or taking on credit card debt.
Utilities
Your utility bills, such as those for water, electricity, sewer, and garbage collection, are an additional monthly expense to take into account. After purchasing a home, you should be ready to budget for such utilities. Although the cost of utilities varies from location to location, the general rule is that the larger the property, the higher the utility costs.
Conclusion
You must make certain monthly payments once you become a homeowner. The costs include the mortgage payment, property taxes, homeowners insurance, private mortgage insurance, and homeowner’s association fees (HOA), where applicable. Utility bills, upkeep, and unanticipated repairs are other obligations you might not want to neglect. Some of the costs are solely determined by where you live, while the size and age of your home determine others. You should know how much you can spend on each expense. Setting a realistic budget with all these costs in mind is the best way to cover all of the costs.