Post-Purchase Costs Buyers Should Expect

Owning your first home is an exciting milestone, but it comes with some financial surprises that often catch buyers off guard. Over my 25 years helping clients as both a Real Estate Broker and Mortgage Broker, I’ve seen how quickly those post-purchase costs can add up—beyond the down payment, closing, and moving expenses everyone expects. In that first year, repairs, appliances, and furnishing your new space can really stretch your budget. For newly built homes, first-year spending averages $26.9K, compared to $18.7K for existing homes. Appliances and household equipment run about $4.3K for new builds and $3.7K for existing homes in year one. Furnishing a home is another big-ticket item, averaging $8.3K for new construction and $3.9K for existing homes, especially if you’re filling a larger space. And the biggest expense? Alterations and repairs—averaging $14.3K for new homes and $11.1K for existing ones. Planning for these costs upfront makes for a much smoother transition into homeownership. I always encourage clients to look beyond just the purchase price and budget for these real-world expenses, so you can settle in comfortably and confidently.