THE REAL COST OF OWNING A HOME
is a fact of life for homeowners. Your down payment and mortgage are the starting point for your budget calculations, not the end of it. Owning a home doesn’t come with financial costs alone. Homeownership affects a person’s lifestyle. If you rent an apartment and the toilet backs up, you call your landlord and it’s taken care of. A homeowner, on the other hand, has to schedule a consultation with a plumber, get a quote, stay home from work to let them in, etc. Owning a home is desirable for many reasons, but it is not without its drawbacks. The earlier you understand the full picture of homeownership, the better you can select a home that’s right for you. It also helps to work with a team of professionals who can advise you on your options rather than urging you to buy the most expensive property possible. Merlino & Gonzalez is here to help with the legal aspects of your real estate transactions. Call our office today to find out how we can help you secure a home you’ll love to live in, not just one you’ll love to buy.
IT’S MORE THAN JUST YOUR MORTGAGE
When people are considering buying a home, they tend to analyze price through the lens of the down payment and monthly mortgage. Because these are the biggest costs associated with real estate, it’s not hard to see why many people adopt this near-sighted approach. However, owning a home comes with other costs you will need to budget for. According to Zillow, the average American homeowner spends about $9,400 in additional costs, including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. Given that this number is usually higher in desirable markets like New York and New Jersey, it’s important to factor in these auxiliary costs before you begin home shopping. A common mistake first-time homebuyers make is creating their budget based on their expected down payment and mortgage payments. If you fail to account for hidden costs, you leave yourself no wiggle room to pay for a repair if, say, the roof starts leaking. Regular maintenance
ROASTED CORN SALSA MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
take a break
INGREDIENTS
• 2 medium ears of corn, shucked • 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced • 1/2 red onion, diced • 1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped • 1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced
• Juice of 1 lime • Kosher salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine.
5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.
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