Maintenance Costs and Home Buying - What You Need to Know

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.

Certain types of homes incur neighborhood association fees or extra taxes and fees imposed by the town or city government; knowing what these fees are in the early stages of your new home search can help you make the best decision given your budget requirements or limitations. Here is a basic breakdown of maintenance costs associated with different types of homes:

Condominiums: Condos or flats are increasingly becoming popular for first time house buyers. Condominiums are a form of real property wherein individual units in a multi-unit complex or building may be owned but each owner has access to common facilities such as hallways, main entrances, stairs and elevators. As such, you'll need to pay fees depending on your stake in the building.

Ilyce Glink, who is the author of the book '100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask' says that each owner must pay maintenance fee equal to his total share of ownership in the condominium. This is calculated by first getting the total expenses in operating the building and dividing this to an owner's percentage of ownership. The total expenses of a building may include a reserve account used for emergencies and this may vary anytime.

Townhomes: Townhomes, also known as 'row houses', are independently owned homes that typically don't incur fees beyond your regular expenses. However, some townhomes are part of a homeowner's association, in which case you will need to pay a monthly fee for maintenance. This fee typically covers the cost of painting the exterior and landscaping common areas.

Mobile Homes and Pre-Fabricated Homes: Mobile home owners and pre-fabricated homeowners are usually responsible for all fees involved with maintaining and operating their home. This includes the cost of sewage, water, cable and other utilities. However, some mobile home sites do charge additional fees for renting the land, and every park has its own rules, regulations and requirements.

Single-family detached homes: Owners of single-family houses are the only ones responsible for their houses' operating and maintenance costs. Homeowners are still responsible for their own expenses even if they live inside a community setting. Typical maintenance costs come from yard upkeep, house repairs, water, and other utilities.

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. It is better to know more about these costs while you are still searching rather than be surprised by every fee you have to pay after you bought the 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.

If you're a new homebuyer looking for homes for sale in MN, the internet is one of the easiest ways to find what you are looking for. The Minnesota MLS Listings enable you to easily search by price and neighborhood.