Turning a House into a Home: 8 Financial Tips for New Homeowners

CommunityMoney SmartsAugust 2, 2023

Revisit Your Budget

Purchasing a house requires a reassessment of your financial plan. With new responsibilities like mortgage payments, insurance, taxes, utilities, and maintenance costs, your monthly expenses may considerably increase. So after closing the deal on your new home, it's essential to take a hard look at your budget and possibly adjust your spending habits.

Utilize budgeting tools or apps to gain a better understanding of your financial flow and ensure you're living within your means, and start setting aside funds for unexpected repairs or costs related to your new home. Having a financial safety net can help navigate the surprises that homeownership can bring.

Key Takeaways

1. Reevaluate Your Budget and Establish an Emergency Fund: After purchasing a new home, it's important to reassess your budget due to new financial responsibilities like mortgage payments, home insurance, taxes, utilities, and maintenance costs. It's also crucial to start building an emergency fund to cover unexpected home-related expenses.
2. Consider a Home Warranty: A home warranty can help cover the costs of repair or replacement of home systems and appliances due to wear and tear. It's important, however, to weigh the cost of the home warranty against its potential benefits, as well as understand what each warranty covers.
3. Leverage Homeowner Tax Deductions: Homeowners have access to various tax deductions, including mortgage interest, property tax, home office, and energy efficiency upgrades. Consult with a tax advisor to maximize these benefits and ensure you're keeping accurate records of all home-related expenses.
4. Keep Legal Documents Updated: Acquiring a new home necessitates updates to your will and trust. Ensure your new property is included in these documents to specify how it should be distributed upon your death and to potentially help your heirs avoid the probate process.

How Will My Budget Change After I Buy a House?

Your budget may change in several ways after purchasing a home. You will gain a number of bills to pay when owning a home, usually including:

• Mortgage Payments: These may be higher or lower than your previous rent payment, depending on your loan terms and the cost of your new home.
• Home Insurance and Property Taxes: These are costs you might not have had to pay as a renter.
• Utilities: If you're moving from a smaller apartment to a larger house, expect your utility bills to increase.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Owning a home means you are responsible for all repairs and maintenance. It's wise to budget for these costs.
• Home Improvement Costs: Whether it's necessary repairs or cosmetic upgrades, these costs can add up quickly.
• HOA Fees: If your new home is part of a homeowner’s association, you'll need to budget for these monthly or yearly fees.
• Emergency Fund Contributions: It's more important than ever to have money set aside for unexpected expenses related to your home.
• Possible Reduction in Other Expenses: Some expenses, such as commuting costs or gym memberships, might decrease if your new home is closer to your workplace or has a home gym.

How Much Should I Save If I Am a New Homeowner?

The amount to save as a new homeowner is highly individual, factoring in elements like home cost, age, and location. Generally, maintaining an emergency fund covering three to six months' living expenses is a prudent move. It's also recommended to allocate 1-3% of the home's purchase price annually for maintenance and repairs. For instance, if your home is worth $300,000, setting aside $3,000 to $9,000 per year is advisable.

Reserve Funds for Necessities

Reserving funds for essential costs after purchasing a new home is a critical step towards secure homeownership. Start building an emergency fund and set aside money for regular maintenance and sudden repair needs, which can often surprise new homeowners.

In addition, consider one-time costs associated with setting up your new home. This may include additional furniture and appliances, utility setup fees, moving expenses, and initial home improvements like painting or changing locks. By budgeting for these expenses in advance, you can transition smoothly into your new home and avoid unnecessary financial stress.

Consider a Home Warranty When Buying a New Home

A home warranty can be an added layer of protection when purchasing a new home. It's different from homeowners’ insurance, which covers damage from external events like fire, theft, or storms.

Here are a few reasons why considering a home warranty can be beneficial:

1. Minimize Unexpected Repair Costs: Major home systems and appliances breaking down can lead to unexpected and potentially hefty repair costs. A home warranty can help cover these costs and minimize financial surprises.
2. Convenience: When something breaks down, a home warranty company often has a network of service professionals it can send to address the problem, saving you the trouble of finding and vetting repair services on your own.
3. Peace of Mind: Knowing that potential breakdowns and issues won't result in a large out-of-pocket expense can provide significant peace of mind, particularly for first-time homeowners or those on a tight budget.

It’s essential to weigh the cost of the home warranty against its potential benefits. Some homeowners may find the annual fees, which can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, not worth the potential savings, especially if the home and its systems are relatively new. It's also vital to understand what each warranty covers, as they can vary widely.

Take Advantage of Tax Deductions

As a new homeowner, you'll have access to various tax deductions that can potentially save you a significant amount of money. Here are some of the most common tax advantages you can capitalize on:

Mortgage Interest Deduction: This is typically the most significant tax break for most homeowners. As of 2023, the IRS allows you to deduct interest paid on a mortgage up to $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately).

Property Tax Deduction: As of 2023, you can deduct up to $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately) for state and local property taxes.

Home Office Deduction: If you use a part of your home exclusively and regularly for business purposes, you may be able to deduct a portion of your home's expenses, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, utilities, repairs, and depreciation.

Mortgage Points Deduction: If you paid points to secure a more favorable interest rate for your home loan, these points are deductible in the year you paid them if they meet certain conditions.

Energy Efficiency Upgrades: If you make certain energy-efficient improvements to your home, you may be eligible for tax credits.

Remember, tax laws can be complicated and change frequently, so it's crucial to consult with a tax advisor or a certified public accountant (CPA) to ensure you're getting the most out of your tax deductions and to understand how these deductions apply to your specific situation. Be sure to keep good records of all home-related expenses to make the most of these deductions.

Always Pay Your Mortgage on Time

When you consistently pay your mortgage on time, you demonstrate to lenders that you are a reliable borrower, which can be beneficial for future credit or loan applications. Late or missed payments, on the other hand, can severely damage your credit score, making it harder and more expensive to borrow money in the future. Additionally, chronic late payments could lead to foreclosure, causing you to lose your home.

Update Your Will and Trust

Acquiring a new home is a significant event that necessitates updates to your will and trust. A will outlines how you want your assets distributed upon your death. After buying a new home, you should update your will to specify who inherits the property. Without this specification, the home will be distributed based on intestacy laws, which might not coincide with your intentions.

If you have a living trust, consider updating it to include your new property. Transferring the title of your home to your trust can help your heirs avoid probate, a time-consuming and often expensive court process. Always consult with an estate planning attorney to ensure these updates are performed correctly, accounting for aspects such as mortgage obligations and tax considerations.

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