Owning a home is a huge financial responsibility. Preparing a homeownership budget before you even begin your search for a home will go a long way in helping you get ready for the expenses of homeownership.
A homeownership budget will help you:
Set Homeownership Goals & Prepare For Ownership
One of the main purposes of a homeownership budget is to determine how much home you can afford. By knowing how much home you can afford, you can shop within your means and set reasonable financial goals.
Property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and more are expenses you will have to budget for in your homeownership budget. A homeownership budget is also a great way to prepare for monthly bills such as your monthly mortgage payments and allow you pay them on time, every time.
Help You Prepare For An Emergency
While you cannot completely expect the unexpected, you can prepare for it in the form of an emergency fund. A homeownership budget should take emergencies into account by helping you know how much you can reasonably set aside per month, as well as how much you can afford if an emergency were to come up, such as illness or home repairs.
Help You Maintain The Property
Maintaining the home is an important part of owning a home, because a home in good condition is worth more than a home that has been neglected. A homeownership budget should take home maintenance into account:
- Sealing doors and windows
- Maintaining the lawn, including trees
- Inspecting HVAC systems, including changing filters
- Fireplace and chimney inspections
Preparing A Homeownership Budget
To prepare a homeownership budget, calculate your gross income and combine it with other sources of income. Then subtract all debts you pay each month like loans, and bills like internet. Remember to take expenses like groceries and how often you eat out into account so you can calculate how much you spend.
Remember that your mortgage shouldn’t take up more than 25% of your monthly income.
Start Your Search For The Perfect Home Today
Contact Eric Merchant At 314.541.1218