Save for more than your down-payment

When purchasing a house, having a sizable down-payment has always been good advice, and with today’s tighter credit guidelines it is essential. However you need to keep in mind that you will need savings beyond the down payment of your home. Here is a list of the things that usually come up during a home purchase and subsequent move that will require some cash.

• Appraisal fee
• Professional home inspection
• Extra closing costs
• Homeowner’s association fees
• Repairs, upgrades, renovations. There are the obvious and the not-so-obvious. Your inspection may have suggested upgrading some of the electrical outlets, and you may already know you don’t like the paint color, but after you move in there are little things you will probably notice that will you’ll need some cash to rectify immediately.
• Moving van rental fees, boxes, bubble wrap, and mover’s fees. Even if you enlist the help of friends or family, you will need to feed them or at least provide them with refreshments. And don’t forget the gas for the moving vehicle!
• Termination fees for current services, deposits and connection fees for new services.
• Appliances. If your new home already has a full set of appliances, then you can scratch this off your list! If not, be sure to remember the extra costs involved with warranties, installation, etc.
• Household items. Invariably you will find that the stuff you filled your last home with are not quite right for the new one. This can turn into hundreds or thousands of dollars from runs to the home furnishings store and home-improvement store.
• Lawn-care equipment. If this is your first home with a yard you will be surprised at how much equipment you will decide you need. An alternative is to hire someone to do your lawn care for you, which will still incur a cost, although it will be spread out over the coming months.
• If you are relocating a great distance you might have air fare or other transportation costs for your entire family (pets included), a night or two in a hotel, and all the other expenses that can creep up.
• And don’t forget that for at least a few days you might be eating out while you search for that box of dishes!

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If you would like help buying or selling a home in Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Minnetonka, Chaska, or Bloomington, contact me, Brace Helgeson, by email or at 952-974-3466. Start your online search here!