Expenses of Home Ownership

Hopefully all goes smoothly when you purchase your home. In your anxiousness to become an owner it may not have crossed your mind and no one tells you, your'e not done spending money on this transaction. It may not be soon and it may not be much, but you will need to have a comfortable income above your expenses.

Why didn't they tell you? Shouldn't a good real estate agent prepare you for everything they can think of, neighborhood analysis, schools, crime, child molesters, stigmas...? All of us who have been out here in the business have seen it too many times. Too many buyers spend what they are qualified for and many times that is too much. They may not have thought about buying a car in a couple of years, or how much it costs to raise children, how much furniture is going to cost....

The best thing to do is not buy the most expensive house you can afford. Secondly, hire a reputable home inspector. Ask around, call different agents for suggestions. A good home inspection will turn up so many things on an average house that it would startle almost everyone. Most things are minor and some aren't even worthy of mention, but if an inspector quickly walks through the house and says it's fine, chances are you got the wrong guy. Keep in mind if you contract the service,(you can request the fee be paid by the seller in your written agreement) the inspector has no reason to deceive you. However many times an agent will use the same company repeatedly who doesn't present any problems.

Don't expect problems but be prepared for them. Things do happen. Water heaters break, usually dumping out all the water in the tank. Plumbing gets stopped up and leaks. Appliances fail. Carpet, padding, vinyl, paint and roofs wear out. Even slate roofs need repairs and that is heavy on the wallet. A good idea is to have money only for your emergency home expenses, not for the wants. That comes out of checking or your pocket.

Suzie is a licensed real estate broker and residential real estate appraiser with twenty years experience. Other professionals in the industry have contributed as well, including agents, brokers, appraisers and educators. http://www.freewebs.com/realestatenews

---

Why Real Estate Investment?

Why should you invest in real estate? Well, investing in... Read More

How to Find and Buy a Bargain House with Little or No-Money Down

Real estate investors know how to make money buying distressed... Read More

Evil Gains Entry

When we open our doors to strangers, we can never... Read More

Buying Property In Spain

It's high time someone advocated the use of common sense... Read More

Old House? New House? Weighing Your Options

Maybe it has something to do with a childhood home... Read More

Location, Location, Location

Location, location, location - known as the 3 most important... Read More

Feel At Home Faster After You Move

Moving to a new community can be a great adventure,... Read More

Real Estate Investing Works In Your Area Too!

I hope you had a spectacular weekend!Things have been going... Read More

Guide To Finding The Perfect Central Illinois House

Central Illinois is an area rich in cultural activities and... Read More

A Simple Step by Step Aproach to Fail Your Way to a Million Dollars

If You want to be Financially Successful you need to... Read More

Buying Beach Houses in New Zealand: Real Estate and Investment Opportunities

Buying a beach house in New Zealand offers many possibilities.New... Read More

Real Estate Website Marketing - 5 Steps to Crushing Your Competition and Doubling Your Business

Getting your real estate website more traffic is easy if... Read More

Real Estate Investors - Red Alert

How's the real estate marketing doing? Is the huge jump... Read More

Maximizing Curb Appeal and First Impressions to Sell your Home

We all know that a home or property of any... Read More

10 Ways To Find Investment Properties

If you really want the best deals in investment properties,... Read More

How to Build Your Free House

What if you could "place an order" for the construction... Read More

Flat Fee MLS Listings - Is This The Future Of Real Estate

Realtors are all a buzz about this new form of... Read More

Real Estate Investment - One Simple Formula

I saw the ads in our small-town newspaper for years... Read More

An Overview of Easements

Title insurance is generally associated with insuring a purchaser's or... Read More

The Listing Agents Role in Selling Your California Home

Advertising to the "Public"Every home seller likes to be assured... Read More

Safe, Scenic & Secure Sussex County Delaware

As I write this, there is a considerable concern about... Read More

Real Estate Investing in Rentals ? the $10 Million Real Estate Investing Mistake

Renting to tenants is no longer "where the money is"... Read More

Home Staging: How to Make Your Tract Home Stand Out in the Crowd

Home sellers who wish to market their property in development... Read More

Taxes When You Sell Your Home

What's the difference between death and taxes?Death doesn't change every... Read More

How Real Estate Investors Use Mortgage Note To Purchase Properties

Many of you may not be aware of the various... Read More

Working With Your Real Estate Attorney

Purchasing or selling a home will probably be one of... Read More

Refinance Rental Property - Dont Sell It

You own a rental property for years, and never see... Read More

Kings Bay Georgia Real Estate - Be Picky When You Choose your Realtor!

I have been a mortgage lender for many years and... Read More

The Sadness of Old Buildings

From the book No Smooshing!For years, I've carried on a... Read More

Credit Help: Buying Real Estate -- Not the Same as Buying Cars

Credit for Buying Real Estate is Different than Credit for... Read More

Various Aspects Of The Lease Purchase Business

In a previous article, we wrote why we believe that... Read More

The Secret Jewel in the Mediterranean Crown

Since the Northern Cypriots famously voted 'yes' to the UN... Read More

Master Builders Ask, Do You Know What Design/Build or Design/Construct Means? You Should

These real questions are answered by me and US Master... Read More