So you want to buy a home?

Hi friend,

Buying a home is a pretty big dream for most of us, and for good reason. It will likely be the largest purchase of your life. So let's make sure it's a wise one.

Here's the thing: the "let's buy it, and we'll figure it out" approach doesn't work well when it comes to a mortgage. Before you fall in love with a house, you need to know your budget, where your money goes every month, and exactly what you can actually afford.

It's more than the mortgage payment

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Once you know what you can afford, you have to look at the full picture of what that home will actually cost you each month. Think through all the costs beyond the mortgage:

HOA fees · internet · security · water · gas · propane · sewer · electric · property taxes · trash · recycling · homeowner's insurance

And then there's maintenance. Before you buy, ask yourself and the inspector about the big-ticket items:

HVAC · furnace · roof · siding · foundation · basement · bathrooms · kitchen · appliances (washer, dryer, stove, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, garbage disposal) · driveway

Are you getting the picture? 😊

Take a breath -very rarely do all of those things need to be replaced at once, especially if they've been well-maintained. But when you're buying someone else's home, you don't always know what kind of care it received. That's exactly why a thorough inspection matters and why having healthy savings going in is so important.

Right from move-in, plan for cleaning and fresh paint at a minimum. And keep a dedicated savings cushion for the surprises, because there will be surprises.

Storytime - from my own moving weekend 😄

In our last home, the house had sat vacant for a year. That meant the well hadn't been running, and the toilets hadn't been flushed. We spent our very first weekend replacing the wax seal on every single toilet. Who knew those things dried out?! Not this woman -I certainly did not. There were a few other minor surprises too, but thankfully, we had budgeted for most of it and didn't panic.

The moral of the story? Expect the unexpected, and have a plan before you move in.

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A few more things to think through

You don't have to fill every room or do every renovation right away. But do think through what you want to do with the house before you buy it. Is it worth what it will cost to fix it up? Do you have the money for that vision right now, or is it a someday plan?

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​Measure before you move. Couches and beds don't fit in every space. Know your room dimensions before you haul furniture across town.

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​Don't forget the outside. Lawn care, flower beds, fences, gates, and mailboxes all have to be maintained. Factor that into your budget, too.

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​Know your DIY personality. Are you the type who figures things out and rolls up your sleeves, or do you need to hire out for repairs? There's no wrong answer, but it matters for your budget. If every fix requires a contractor, that home needs to pencil out with that in mind.

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​HOA and shared communities deserve extra research. If you're buying a townhome, condo, or home in an HOA, find out exactly what you're responsible for. Shared amenities like pools and common areas can come with unexpected assessments. Make sure you know what you could be liable for before you sign.

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Your home buying checklist

✅ Down payment savings + emergency fund (separate and fully funded)

✅ Moving costs budgeted

✅ Furniture needs assessed — and measurements taken

✅ Move-in costs (cleaning, paint, small repairs)

✅ Monthly costs beyond the mortgage are mapped out

✅ Big ticket maintenance items inspected and noted

✅ HOA rules and shared liability reviewed

✅ Lawn and exterior maintenance plan in place

✅ Renovation wish list prioritized and priced out

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And one final thought, there is absolutely no shame in renting. Owning a home is a wonderful goal and can be a valuable asset when you pay it off, but only when the timing and the numbers are right. Be a good steward of where you are right now, and when homeownership is the next right step, you'll be ready.

Ultimately, you want home ownership to be a blessing, not a burden. A little preparation goes a long way toward making sure it is.

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Cheering for you,
​Jenny

P.S. Know someone saving up for their first home? Forward this their way - it might save them from a weekend of toilet wax seals. 😄

Let's Talk

See you next week!