Budgeting for homeowners
Your house costs more than the mortgage. Plan for all of it.
Property taxes, insurance, escrow surprises, repairs and the roof that will need replacing one day. Plain-English guides and calculators so the big bills arrive with money already waiting.
True monthly cost $2,645
- Mortgage (principal and interest)$1,450
- Property taxes$320
- Homeowners insurance$160
- Utilities$310
- Maintenance reserve$285
- Replacement fund$120
15 homeowner guides
The cost of owning
- What owning a home really costs each month6 min read
- Property taxes: how they work5 min read
- Homeowners insurance: what to check every year6 min read
- Escrow accounts explained5 min read
- HOA and condo fees4 min read
Saving for the house
- How much to set aside for maintenance5 min read
- Saving for big replacements5 min read
- An emergency fund for homeowners4 min read
Lowering the costs
- Lower your home utility bills5 min read
- Appealing your property tax assessment6 min read
- Cheap maintenance that prevents expensive repairs5 min read
- Refinancing: the basic math6 min read
Big projects
- Paying for renovations and big repairs6 min read
- Get three quotes for big jobs5 min read
- Will a renovation pay for itself?4 min read
Free download, no email needed
The Homeowner Budget Workbook
Work out your true monthly cost, list the yearly bills, set a maintenance reserve and plan for the big replacements, on a few printable pages. Keep it with your house papers.
One homeowner step, once a month
The Upkeep: one homeowner budgeting step, the maintenance job that prevents costly repairs this month, and a reader question answered. Confirm by email, unsubscribe with one click, and we never send offers from lenders or insurers.