REAL TIPS: Buying a Home
REAL TipS: BUYING
Expect the unexpected (and the expected)
The cost of home maintenance and repairs is usually one of the biggest surprises for new homeowners. Unfortunately, some buyers—especially first-time buyers—do not plan for such expenses because they’ve always had a landlord or property owner who deals with problems.
When you’re setting up your budget and trying to determine how much house to buy, make sure to earmark some cash for regular home maintenance. Most times, ignoring a problem will end up costing you more in the long term.
You should also plan for an unanticipated problem to pop up. When your water heater goes out or the plumbing system backs up, you don’t want to be strapped for cash—those things need to be fixed. Fast.
Buying a home is a sound investment—but don’t forget to take care of your purchase … and that means setting aside a little cash each month.
Texas Association of Realtors®