Owning a house is expensive. Any homeowner knows this, but there are some who, even still, aren’t as prepared as they could be to make sure that they don’t face financial ruin if they end up having to shell out cash for an unexpected major home repair. Here are some of the big costs that can add up in a hurry if you aren’t ready for them.
Property taxes
Assuming the property tax isn’t included in your mortgage/escrow payment, you’ll need to know what you can expect to pay in property tax each year and then put that money aside regularly so that you can pay it in full. Keep in mind, it usually gets evaluated each year and that can affect your monthly mortgage/escrow payment as well. Regardless, it's a hefty cost.
HVAC tune-ups
HVAC systems work hard, especially in Texas, so make sure that you are working as hard as you can to keep them in good shape This means annual repair and tune-ups of your systems and all their part. It can save you from a replacement cost and it also helps you get the most value for your money!
Pest control
Even with the best insulation and preventative measures, pests have a way of creeping in and doing all sorts of damage. This could be as mild as some patching or as severe as electrical and/or wall damage. You’ll want to make sure that you get pest control professionals regularly to make sure that you have no weaknesses. A need for fumigation can often be avoided by regular pest control inspections, which includes termite inspections.
Landscaping
One of the often forgotten about details for home care is the landscaping! From regular lawn maintenance to planting and gardening, those costs all add up in a hurry and can make it hard for you to do other home repair costs.
Normal wear and tear
From clogged gutters to repainting your home’s siding to even dead tree removal, all of these are considered normal wear and tear for homeowners and can be costly in a hurry. Buy a home they say, it will be fun they say, welcome to homeownership they say. It is a rewarding experience but definitely comes with its fair share of work!
Insurance policies
You’ll find that insurance policy will cost a lot more than most people expect at first. Between yearly premium increases and added coverage, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got proper budgeting in place for your policy. Harbour Insurance Services will do everything we can to be sure you have the best policy for your home and family situation.
Build that emergency fund
With any and all of these, it’s hard to make sure that you’ve got all of those costs saved up. It’s always a good idea, especially with the world the way it is right now, to have a few months’ worth of bills in savings so that you can afford them. Also, try to put a little extra aside for those costly repairs ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling when the moment comes where you have to unexpectedly replace your dishwasher, washing machine or HVAC system.
While being a homeowner is expensive, you can plan ahead for a lot of costs so that you aren’t caught with a huge bill that you have no way of paying. From proper education on real costs to an emergency fund, it all helps to manage your risk and keep you in the black! We can't help you set aside money for that emergency fund but we can assist with referrals to the right professionals to help as well as ensure that you aren't over/under insured to make your dollar stretch in the right places. Contact Harbour Insurance Services at (281) 520-4090 with any questions.