When buying a home, many focus on the mortgage payment and whether they’ll be able to afford it. However, what they often forget to consider are all the additional or hidden costs that come with homeownership. Being unprepared for these unexpected expenses can put a financial and emotional strain on homebuyers and sour the whole experience.
We’re here to walk you through some of the hidden costs everyone should know before purchasing a house, so it doesn’t come as a stress-inducing surprise later. Scroll down to find them, and be sure to share your own similar experiences in the comments below.
#1 Property Tax
Beyond your monthly mortgage payment, owning a home in the US means you'll also be paying property taxes. It's really important to find out exactly how much this tax will be before you sign any final papers, because it can change a lot based on where your house is and how much it (and any land) is worth. Some lenders just add this tax to your monthly mortgage bill, but in other places, you might pay it all at once for the whole year, either upfront or after the fact.
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#2 Impact Fees
Be aware that if you're purchasing a brand new home, or one built very recently, you might encounter impact fees. These are charges that local governments typically bill to property developers to help pay for new infrastructure like roads, utilities, parks, or schools. However, developers often pass these costs on to the homebuyers, so it's a good idea to ask your realtor about potential impact fees early in the process.
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#3 Cost Of Replacement
Beyond the initial purchase price, a big part of homeownership is understanding that major components of your house won't last forever, and replacing them can be a significant, often overlooked, expense. Things like your roof, heating and air conditioning system, water heater, and even windows and plumbing fixtures all have a limited lifespan. Essentially, with each passing year, these items are getting closer to needing a costly replacement, so savvy homeowners factor in these future "hidden" repair and replacement bills into their long-term budge
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It’s no secret that buying a house gets increasingly expensive every year, but what many buyers might not be aware of is that keeping and maintaining the home gets significantly pricier too. A report by Bankrate.com has found that unexpected costs of ownership can, on average, add up to $18,118 annually, or $1,510 a month.
This number entails costs like property taxes, homeowners' insurance, home maintenance, energy bills, and other expenses related to owning a home.
#4 Lawn
If your new home comes with a lawn, you'll need to figure out how to care for it. Deciding to mow it yourself is a good start, but then you have to think about buying and storing the necessary equipment, like a mower and other tools, especially if your house doesn't already have a shed. Even if you're fortunate enough to inherit some equipment, remember that those machines need regular maintenance, which adds to the ongoing costs of keeping your yard looking good.
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#5 Closing Mortgage Costs
Even after your mortgage gets the green light, don't assume you're done with expenses; several surprise costs can pop up when you're finalizing the sale. Things like the real estate agent's commission, along with title and escrow fees, can add up. It's a smart move to have some extra cash, maybe around 2% of the home's price, ready to handle these last-minute charges.
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#6 Home Tools
Owning a home means you're now the one in charge of fixing things, which is different from when you were renting. That little hammer you had in your apartment probably won't cut it for all the new tasks. You'll definitely want a good set of basic tools for small jobs, and if your new place needs a lot of work and you plan on doing it yourself, get ready to invest in even more specialized gear.
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“It’s just important to understand that you’re buying a lot more than a mortgage payment,” said Jeff Ostrowski, an analyst at Bankrate.com. “You’re also buying all these additional costs that you’re gonna have to figure out how to pay for.”
#7 Homeowners Association Fees
If you buy a home, especially a condo, that has shared amenities like a pool, garden, or gym, you'll likely have to pay homeowners association (HOA) dues. These fees, usually paid monthly, go towards maintaining these common areas, covering things like pest control, snow removal, or gardening. HOA fees can hover around $250 but they can sometimes be as high as $1,000 or more. Also, be aware that you might face a one-time HOA transfer fee to cover administrative tasks when you buy the place.
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#8 Homeowners Insurance
Although homeowners insurance isn't legally mandated in the US, it's a very sensible thing to have as it provides financial protection if something bad happens to your home. Many mortgage lenders actually require it, viewing it as a crucial safety measure, particularly for properties they consider high-risk, like those located in flood-prone areas.
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#9 Underwriting And Processing Fees
When you get a mortgage, lenders often charge underwriting and processing fees, which are sometimes called mortgage origination fees. These are basically administrative charges that cover the lender's costs for preparing, handling, and finalizing your loan paperwork. The exact amount can change depending on who your lender is and the type of loan you're getting, but you can generally expect these fees to fall somewhere between $400 and $900.
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Out of all the ‘hidden’ costs that home buyers might face, maintenance and repair expenses often come as the biggest surprise. Typically, realizing the true cost of maintenance and repairs is a part of the learning process of becoming an owner because these expenses can vary, depending on the age of the home. “Once you’ve been a homeowner for a while, you realize everything that can go wrong,” Ostrowski said.
#10 Utilities
Be prepared for potentially higher utility bills when you move into a new home, especially if it's larger than your previous place or if you're used to splitting these costs with roommates. The annual expense for utilities can change a lot based on where your home is, how old and big it is, and what kind of heating system it uses. Keep in mind that heating and cooling a bigger house will naturally use more energy, leading to an increase in your energy bills.
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#11 Down Payments
One of the biggest chunks of cash you'll need when buying a house is the down payment. If you put down less than 20%, lenders will usually make you pay for something called mortgage insurance, or PMI, which protects them if you can't make payments. The actual amount you need for a down payment can change a lot depending on where you're buying and how big the house is. In the US, Bankrate.com says the lowest you might go is 3%, but only if your credit score is decent (at least 580). Of course, putting down more money if you can is a good idea because it often means you'll get a better interest rate on your loan.
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#12 Appraisal Fees
Before you buy a house, you'll likely need a home appraisal, which is an independent professional's opinion on its fair market value. These appraisers look at things like the home's age, condition, and how it's built to make sure you're not overpaying for the property. While the cost can vary based on your lender and the home's price, an appraisal for an average single-family home typically costs around $500.
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Homeowners' insurance and home inspections are other costs that can be quite unexpected for first-time homebuyers. Even though they add up, they are necessary expenses, as without them, the costs can inflate further down the line.
“That definitely raises the risk of somebody moving into a house and not realizing that the [air conditioning] was about to go, or the water heater was on its last legs, or the roof needs to be replaced,” Ostrowski said. Without insurance, in case of disasters, people could also be left paying for everything out of pocket.
#13 Transfer Tax
When you buy a home, there's a good chance you'll encounter a real estate transfer tax, which might also be called deed tax, mortgage registry tax, or stamp tax. This tax, common in most states, covers the government's costs for officially recording the change of ownership. Whether the buyer or the seller pays this tax can depend on where the home is, local customs, and even the current real estate market conditions. You can often find online transfer tax calculators for your specific state or local area to see if you'll need to pay and how much it might be.
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#14 Wire Transfer Fees
When you're buying a house, moving large sums of money around often involves wire transfers, like sending funds to your lawyer. Banks usually charge a fee for this service, and it's not a fixed amount – it can vary. Just so you have an idea, Bankrate.com notes that sending money within the country typically costs around $26, while international transfers might be closer to $44.
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#15 Moving Costs
Remember that actually getting all your stuff to your new house will cost money. You could rent a truck and do all the heavy lifting yourself, which is usually the cheaper option but can be very tiring if you have a lot to move. Alternatively, you can hire professional movers; their fees will depend on how much you're moving and how far you're going but this is usually in the thousands of dollars.
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Therefore, it’s important to evaluate and understand these costs, as spending your entire budget on a down payment can leave people ‘house poor.’ “Then you move in, and you don’t really have any money left for repairs and maintenance, so you wind up running up credit card debt or taking out some kind of higher interest debt to pay for that,” Ostrowski said.
#16 Curb Appeal
Keeping your home looking good from the outside, that comes with ongoing expenses. Even if you love how it looks now, things like planting annual flowers mean you'll be replacing them each season and possibly adding more mulch. If you're not entirely happy with the current look, you might want to make changes like adding new flowers, mulch, walkways, a new mailbox, or even replacing the front door, all of which contribute to the overall cost of maintaining or improving your home's aesthetic.
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#17 Deck, Patio, Or Pool
If your new home includes features like a deck, patio, or pool, remember to factor in their ongoing upkeep. Even a well-maintained wooden deck will require regular maintenance to stay in good condition, and patios also need attention to keep them looking their best. As for pools, whether you're installing one or buying a home that already has one, be prepared for the various expenses involved in opening, closing, and generally maintaining your personal oasis.
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#18 Tree Care
Don't overlook the potential costs associated with trees, as you're generally responsible for maintaining any tree that overhangs your property, regardless of where its trunk is planted. Trees can grow quickly and often need pruning, pest treatments, and other preventative care. It's wise to ask the seller about any known tree issues on your property or neighboring ones before you buy.
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In conclusion, Ostrowski said that their report findings should be a “reality check” for first-time homebuyers. “A lot of first-time buyers think of the closing table as the finish line,” he said. “But in another way, it’s just the starting line for all these new expenses you’ll be responsible for.”
#19 Broker Services
Many homebuyers choose to work with a mortgage broker to help them find the best loan deals from across the entire market, which can simplify the often complex process of securing funds. If you decide to use a broker's services, be prepared for a fee, which is typically between 1% and 2% of the total loan amount you're approved for. It's important to remember to include this expense in your overall home-buying budget.
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#20 Additional Moving Costs
Beyond the main expense of transporting your belongings, remember to budget for other services you might need on moving day. This could include things like childcare, pet sitting, or even renting a storage unit, depending on your situation. Also, if you're leaving a rental property, be aware that you might have to pay an early termination fee, which can often be equivalent to two to four months' rent. It's smart to keep a little extra money set aside as a contingency fund to cover these unexpected costs.
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