There are a lot of unknowns that come along with buying your first home. It is important for new homeowners to know about extra costs associated with owning a home aside from the mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Here are 4 costs that often surprise new homeowners.

Lawn Care for New Homeowners

Caring for your lawn will cost some money, whether you choose to do it yourself or hire someone. Buying a lawnmower, weed-whacker, grass seed, garden soil, and other lawn tools all add up.

You’ll also need a space to store all of these items, which can cost anywhere from $500 for a small plastic shed to thousands for a larger wooden shed. Some new homeowners choose to pay someone for lawn care every week or two instead of buying and storing this equipment.

HVAC Filters and Maintenance

HVAC filters may seem like a small expense, but quality ones often have a higher price tag. There is a big difference in the effectiveness of the cheapest HVAC filters and thicker, premium ones. It’s worth the extra cost to invest in quality filters for the health of your family, especially if there’s someone with allergies in the home.

Another cost that many new homeowners don’t realize is necessary is HVAC maintenance. Your HVAC will work better for longer if you hire a technician to come service it twice a year, just before the heat of summer and again before winter weather.

Tools That New Homeowners Need

As a new homeowner, you’ll want a collection of basic tools so you can fix minor problems yourself. While tools may seem inexpensive, you’ll need a variety of many different ones in an array of sizes. You can purchase a complete toolset that is already put together so that you can cut down on your trips to the hardware store.

Repairs and Upgrades

No matter how good of condition your new home is in, there will always be repairs that need to be made due to wear and tear. Part of the fun of owning your own home is the freedom to make upgrades to it. Put aside some money for repairs and upgrades so you’ll enjoy your home more in the years to come.

Dave Holt Home Inspections provides inspection services to first-time homebuyers in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.