Homeownership Blues

Homeownership is a beautiful thing. This is especially true when you get your first home. A lot of planning, effort, and money goes into making such a big decision. There are lots of things to think about when making such a purchase. Most people are mainly thinking, “how am I gonna pay for this?” You may also consider what kind of house you want and which neighborhood you want to live in. Those are the general things that everyone thinks about, but homeownership is so much more than that. There are downsides to homeownership, and we don’t think about those enough. So if you’re thinking of buying a house, here are a few homeownership blues you need to be aware of.

Unexpected Expenses

The number one thing many people overlook is unexpected expenses. Sure, you could be buying the newest home on the block, but that doesn’t mean that something is not going to go wrong! There are plenty of unexpected things that can happen to your home. Examples include roof leaks, a water main break or leak, sewage backups, etc. The list goes on, and if you are not prepared, it can be problematic for your pockets. To prepare yourself, make sure you are saving additional funds in addition to closing costs, down payments, and other fees.

Cost of Furnishing

When Purchasing a home, you’re focused on the house itself. Questions you ask yourself are more concerned with the aesthetics and how it makes you feel rather than how to furnish the space. While you may have a few things you’re going to move with, you are probably not lucky enough to have everything you need. This means making a trip to the store. While you can find budget-friendly places to shop, furnishing your house is not cheap! You need to have money set aside. If you cannot buy it all in cash, make sure your credit is good so you can get favorable repayment terms at furniture stores. If you prefer to pay in cash, make sure you go to stores like Bargain Hunt, HomeGoods, and even Wayfair. By looking at discounted stores, you’re going to save so much money.

Upkeep

There is also yearly upkeep that you need to maintain. I found this out the hard way. There are so many things that you have to do on a weekly, monthly, and even yearly basis to make sure your home is in good condition! Yearly maintenance includes getting the house power washed, gutters cleaned, and getting the roof inspected. More routine maintenance includes lawn care, trash service, and switching out your air filters. Also, don’t forget to have your sewage tank pumped at least once every three years.

Home ownership is exciting, and I’m proud of you for getting there. Be sure to consider these homeownership blues before making your final decisions.

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