First time homebuyers should understand the fact that each kind of home has different maintenance costs associated with them. Knowing what these costs are can certainly help buyers make an informed decision.

Specific types of MN homes for sale have unique maintenance costs attached to them. These could range from government and local taxes to community association fees. If you are a first time homebuyer, take the time to know the maintenance costs for each house you are interested in; as this can spare you from future headaches. Below is a list of the common maintenance fees for each type of houses.

An increasingly popular choice for first-time homebuyers, living in a condo means you have access to shared living spaces and amenities. As such, you’ll need to pay fees depending on your stake in the building.

Ilyce Glink, author of the book ’100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask’ explains that condo fees are calculated by taking the total building’s expense and dividing that by the percentage of ownership. The total building expenses include the building’s emergency reserve account, and the final cost may fluctuate over the course of the year.

Townhomes: The maintenance fees of a townhouse will not go beyond what you would expect of a regular, exclusively owned home. But some MN townhomes are part of a neighborhood or homeowner’s association. Being part of an association requires an owner to pay monthly association fees for the overall maintenance expense of the association including taking care of common yards and shared areas.

Mobile Homes: Normally, mobile home owners are solely responsible for their own maintenance expenses. These fees are comprised of, but not limited to, water, sewage and garbage, electricity, cable and other services. But some mobile home parks do charge a fee for renting land space. In addition, each park has specific requirements and rules that a homeowner must first agree to.

Single-family detached homes: Maintenance costs of these houses are solely the responsibility of the homeowners. Single-family homes may also be located inside a community or a village though homeowners will still be responsible for all costs such as maintenance and repairs, lawn upkeep, electricity, water and sewerage services and other utilities. You will also be responsible for all real estate taxes and government fees.

If you are considering to get a loan, remember that some lenders might package some of these maintenance fees into your loan. I advise that you first talk with your realtor and determine the maintenance costs for the house you’re interested in. Only then should you deal with a lender so that you can get the best possible loan package that is within your budget.

Any house, whether it is a single-family home, a condo or a mobile home, has several implicit ownership and maintenance costs. When you are comparing homes you are interested in, always understand what the financial implications are for owning each house. Compare the total costs for each house you are interested in next to each other by using simple spreadsheets or checklists. In this way, you are making an informed choice that you are less likely to regret.

 

Tags: real estate, real estate - finance, buying property, property, buying a home

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