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I don't think we really saved *that* much in taxes. We haven't really had too many negative surprises though. Although our house was brand new so that probably cut down on the repairs. I guess I'd say the biggest surprise was how expensive getting set up was. This might not be an issue if your new house is the same size as your current rental, but we were moving from about 1,000 square feet to 2,600 square feet. Stuff adds up! Cleaning supplies, trash cans, drapes, curtain rods, hand towels, and on and on and on. Obviously furniture cost us a ton too, but it was the unexpected little stuff I found really added up.
My FI and I are still in a apartment, and alot of our friends and coworkers are buying houses, and they are definity overwhelmed by all of the extra costs! Like furniture, utility bills, yard work and all the little things that go with buying a house. At the moment a apartment is best for us, but a house is definity in our 5 year plan. Sure a mortage payment is cheaper then my rent, but i dont pay utilities and if my fridge, stove, dishwasher breaks...i get a new one at no cost to me!
We've been renting for seven years, and while we have been looking on mls for the last two, I don't know that budging is in the cards for us right now. I live where it is still much more expensive to buy than rent (by at least $600 a month). We're looking and keeping an eye out in case the right place comes up since we are looking in such a micro neighborhood, but I am just not impressed.
Plus, I finish grad school in (hopefully) two and a half years. I am kind of thinking it would be better to rent until I am done and I can determine where my next job will be. We want to stay here, but I would consider moving for a year or two for a post doc.
Furniture and incidentals do seem to be the biggest expense everyone mentions!
The maintenance and yard work were, stupidly, shocking for us. Lol. We always talked about how much we wanted a big yard for our dogs. Yeah. We suck at yard work. Also, maintenance things have just been a pain because it's difficult to find time for certain things on top of the other adjustments we've made.
Energy costs, for us, weren't a big shocker. We do our best to keep them low anyways, but honestly our apartment was pretty big. I think they may be a bit more shocking for you guys since you don't use your own as much, though. But since you're aware of that before making the decision that's good.
Taxes? Well, yeah we saved some, but also now we have property taxes. So it wasn't even a factor for us when we made the decision.
As far as safety, I feel more safe during the day in our house. At night I feel about the same.
Real estate taxes are expensive.
Home repairs are a pain, because you have to find reputable service people in your neighborhood. This is the worst part,to me.
Utilities are about twice as much per month. Lots of little expenses like curtains, cleaning products, light bulbs, salt for walkways, etis adds up.
You have to always worry about the basement flooding, things falling on the house, locking yourself out, etc.
Get the caRpets professionally cleaned before moving in. This and cleaning all surfaces of the house is time intensive.
Having your own space, lots os storage, and an attached garage is awesome!
Budget so you can pay for someone to do the chores you hate, like yard work or snow plowing.
The whole 'having to find someone to come out and fix things' is really irritating! I miss that about the apartment.
The decor part is fun, and expensive.
I totally feel safer in my house.
I still haven't moved to a house, but I've moved twice in the last year and both times had unpleasant surprises with the unexpected costs. When we moved into our last place, even though the unit was the same size our electric bill DOUBLED just because the ceilings were higher and central air is more expensive than window units. Also, we had to buy all new furniture since stuff didn't fit or look right. Moving into our current place, stuff is already adding up like crazy. Even though it's totally renovated, there is a ton more wallspace than any other place we've lived so figuring out the decor and paying for stuff has been somewhat daunting. Also, we have a ton more windows none of which have blinds or curtains, THAT is a huge expense.
I still haven't moved to a house, but I've moved twice in the last year and both times had unpleasant surprises with the unexpected costs. When we moved into our last place, even though the unit was the same size our electric bill DOUBLED just because the ceilings were higher and central air is more expensive than window units. Also, we had to buy all new furniture since stuff didn't fit or look right. Moving into our current place, stuff is already adding up like crazy. Even though it's totally renovated, there is a ton more wallspace than any other place we've lived so figuring out the decor and paying for stuff has been somewhat daunting. Also, we have a ton more windows none of which have blinds or curtains, THAT is a huge expense.
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For those of you who moved from an apartment or condo to a house, what do you wish you knew before you bought?
What were the hidden surprises?
We are looking for a house, but I am a little nervous about giving up apartment/condo style living. We never heat our house because the upstairs and downstairs neighbors provide plenty of insulation (we live in California). We only play electric and cable (no gas, and trash and water are paid by the complex). We have no yard work.
I also feel safer in an apt/condo because I think we are less likely to get robbed. We often aren't home, and we live on the back end unit with many neighbors in close proximity. It seems like a house would be more vulnerable.
But we also have shared walls so we can't wacth TV late at night, no in unit washer dryer, and we are burstng at the seams!
What do you wish you knew before you bought? What were the hidden surprises in cost, and how much did you really save in taxes? Was it significant?