How to Cut Costs Associated with Homeownership

Posted on June 09, 2020 by Jeff Tumbarello in Uncategorized

There are two costs associated with Real Estate. The cost to acquire and the cost to keep it. In this blog, we will discuss how to cut costs associated with homeownership. You’ve saved up, put down the down payment, and signed the paperwork—you’re finally a homeowner. Owning a home can be a very rewarding experience, especially if you’ve been saving for one for a long time. However, the costs of owning a home don’t end when you shell out the down payment. There are tons of other costs that come with owning and maintaining a home. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to cut these costs.

Cut Costs Associated with Homeownership: Lower Your Mortgage Interest Payments

As a homeowner, one of your largest expenses is most likely your mortgage interest payment. Luckily there are some things you can do to lower these interest payments. For example, you can lower these payments by choosing a shorter term, putting more money down, or refinancing when rates are lower.

Short-term mortgages result in lower interest rates but require larger monthly payments. In the end, a shorter term means you pay a lower total interest cost because you will pay off the mortgage sooner, resulting in much less interest over the lifetime of the loan.

In order to refinance and take advantage of lower rates, you’ll need to meet certain requirements, including having sufficient home equity. You will also have to pay refinance closing costs. Refinancing is generally considered worth it if you are able to lower your rate by 1 percentage point.

Cut Your Utilities

Utilities can run up a huge bill, especially in the summer. However, there are many ways to cut these costs. It can be easy—adjust your thermostat, replace your light bulbs to make your home more energy efficient, and run your washing machine on a colder cycle. Consider letting your clothes air dry. Practice conserving energy by turning off lights and ceiling fans and unplugging electronics when they are not in use. Turn down the hot water heater.

You can also make bigger improvements to your home in order to reduce your electric bills. For example, solar panels can reduce your electric bills by as much as 50 percent. You might also try insulating your electrical outlets in order to keep cold air out and maximize your indoor heating. Switching to a tankless water heater can also help you to save money.

Cut Costs Associated with Homeownership: Reduce Your Home Insurance Costs

Home insurance is vital for any homeowner, but do you really need all the things in your current policy? Are you getting the best deal? If you’re looking to save money, it’s a good idea to look at other options for home insurance. Get quotes from multiple insurers and shop around for policies every few years; this can help you find the most cost-effective avenue for you. Raising your deductible, as long as you can still afford it, is an additional way to lower your insurance premiums. Then, make your home as disaster resistant as possible.Talk to your insurance agent annually to make sure you are getting every possible discount.

Owning a home can be difficult due to the expense. However, there are many ways to reduce the overall costs of your home.Doing some things to cut the costs of your insurance, utilities, and mortgage can greatly decrease the amount of money it takes to own and maintain your home.

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Steelbridge Realty LLC is a Licensed Real Estate Brokerage that utilizes cutting-edge marketing techniques and data-driven Real Estate solutions in today’s ever-changing environment. Our group of professionals have decades of experience and have navigated through many business cycles. Our diverse background gives us the tools to guide people towards successful decisions.