The dream of owning a home can turn into a giant nightmare when constant expenses come your way. Although it seems like the greatest achievement of all time, home ownership opens your door to hidden costs. You may not be able to stay away from those expenses, but you can definitely prepare for them. This is why maintaining a sufficient fund for home miscellaneous is important, some of these expenses just arise out of nowhere. Here are some points to consider:
Landscape
Depending on your location, landscaping can cost you some cash. To give you an idea on the cost, Yahoo Homes shared a case where $200 was billed for mowing an acre of land and an additional $400 for seasonal flowers. If you think this amount is too much, you can just invest in a lawn mower. A riding lawn mower costs about $2k but it is an investment that will pay for itself in about a year.
Cleaning the gutter
Twice a year, you'll feel the need to clear the gutters from dirt and leaves. Because if you don't, it may result to a more expensive damage. The cost of hiring a cleaning service is around $200 to $300, unless you can do it yourself. A one time investment of buying gutter guard can save you from constantly spending on these kinds of services. The gutter guard will shield your gutters.
Constant Repairs
An entire house is full of potential repairs, especially if you purchase an older one. From water heaters to the HVAC system, expenses can go from a few hundred bucks to thousands. But if you have a home warranty, you would be able to save a few bucks. For around $400 annually, a home warranty can provide repair and replacements to your home. They will be able to either fix things that needs repair or replace them if repairs can't fix the damage.
