www.hunker.com Open in urlscan Pro
23.60.203.127  Public Scan

Form analysis
1 forms found in the DOM

DIALOG

<form method="dialog">
  <h2>Report an Issue</h2>
  <div class="info">
    <div class="inputs-container"><label class="contact-label"> Contact*: <input type="text" placeholder="Your Email or Slack"></label> <label class="severity-label"> Severity*: <select>
          <option>High</option>
          <option selected="selected">Normal</option>
          <option>Low</option>
        </select></label> <label class="description-label"> Description*: <textarea id="description" name="description" rows="5" cols="40" placeholder="Please describe the issue"></textarea></label></div>
    <div class="screenshot-container"><img alt="screenshot of the current page" class="screenshot">
      <p>Screenshot loading...</p>
    </div>
  </div>
  <menu><button value="cancel" class="cancel">Cancel</button> <button value="submit" disabled="disabled" class="submit"> Submit </button></menu>
</form>

Text Content

 * Design
   Rooms
    * Bathroom
    * Bedroom
    * Kitchen
    * Living Room
    * All Rooms
   
   Styles
    * Bohemian
    * Desert
    * Farmhouse
    * Midcentury
    * All Styles
   
   all design stories
   Spotlight
   
 * How To
   Topics
    * DIY
    * Cleaning
    * Home Hacks
    * Outdoors
    * Organizing
    * Paint
    * Repair
   
   Spotlight
   
 * Lifestyle
   Topics
    * Entertaining
    * Food
    * Wellness
    * Real Estate
    * Travel
   
   Spotlight
   
 * News & Shopping
   Topics
    * News
    * Shopping
   
   Spotlight
   
 * Features
   Series
    * Tours
    * Architects of Impact
    * The Hometeliers
    * Neighborhood Watch
    * More Features
   
   Trending
   

Join Our Newsletter




Share
 * 
 * 
   
 * 
 * 
 * SAVE
   

 1. News


6 UNEXPECTED TRUTHS OF OWNING A FIRST HOME, ACCORDING TO HOMEOWNERS

By Barbara Bellesi Zito May 20, 2023

Our Editorial Process

Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more
about our affiliate and product review process here.
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Image Credit: Hunker in Partnership With Acme Real Estate


IN THIS ARTICLE

 * Utility bills
 * Contractors
 * Yard work
 * Snow removal
 * Emergency fund
 * Permanency

It's a big decision to move on from apartment life and purchase a home. But even
if you've carefully considered the amount of space you need and the mortgage
payment you can afford, that's just the tip of the iceberg compared to
everything else you'll be responsible for as a homeowner.

Advertisement



We asked real homeowners what they experienced when they moved into their first
homes from an apartment — and some of the costs and considerations that were
easy for them to underestimate or forget about.

Video of the Day




1. YOU’LL WATCH YOUR UTILITY BILLS SOAR

Image Credit: Sanford Creative

It's common sense that the more electricity you use, the higher your utility
bills will be. But you might not realize ‌how‌ much more energy you're using now
that you've moved into a bigger space.

Advertisement


WE RECOMMEND

Design
The 8 Best Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home
By Caroline Biggs

Design
If You're After an Investment Property, Here Are 5 Things You Really Should Know
By Caroline Biggs

News
Here Are 7 Really Good Reasons Not to Renovate Your House
By Barbara Bellesi Zito


Josh Petrawski, a homeowner and CEO of Sports & Fitness Exchange, saw his
utility bills soar when he bought his first home, especially during bouts of
extreme weather. "It was a lesson in being mindful of energy usage and finding
ways to make my home more energy-efficient," he explains.


2. YOU’LL NEED TO HIRE CONTRACTORS—OR LEARN DIY QUICKLY

Image Credit: Halfpoint Images/Moment/GettyImages

Even brand-new homes are not immune to faucets leaking and floorboards creaking.
But unlike having a landlord or superintendent's number saved in your contacts
list, you'll have to hire your own contractor to fix it—or buy the tools and
learn how to do it yourself.

Advertisement




WE RECOMMEND

Design
The 8 Best Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home
By Caroline Biggs

Design
If You're After an Investment Property, Here Are 5 Things You Really Should Know
By Caroline Biggs

News
Here Are 7 Really Good Reasons Not to Renovate Your House
By Barbara Bellesi Zito



"Although some aspects of having a landlord can be unpleasant, there's nothing
like the convenience of having someone else handle the expenses and scheduling
of routine repairs," says Todd Saunders, a homeowner and the CEO of
FlooringStores.

Advertisement




3. YOU’RE ON THE HOOK FOR YARD WORK

Image Credit: Hunker in Partnership With Acme Real Estate

If there was green space in your apartment community, perhaps you gave a
fleeting thought to the work that went into maintaining it, but now your yard
demands your full focus.

Advertisement



"The house I moved into after living in an apartment had quite a big backyard,
so that multiplied the amount of work," said Miguel Camperos, a homeowner and VP
of Operations of SunVara, a gardening and beekeeping supply store.
"Additionally, chances are that you either have very few landscaping tools, if
any, prior to living in a house, so having to buy all of those things definitely
hits the wallet hard."

Advertisement




4. ...AND SNOW REMOVAL, TOO

Image Credit: Philippe Gerber/Moment/GettyImages

If you live in an area where you don't see the white stuff in winter, count
yourself lucky as a homeowner. Otherwise, start scoping sales on shovels and
snow blowers. Now that you no longer can rely on an apartment building
maintenance crew, it's you who's heading up snow removal duty.

Advertisement



You can't avoid it by staying in until it all melts, either. Depending on where
you live, you might be required by law to clear your sidewalks to provide safe
access to pedestrians. Property owners in New York City, for example, have to
abide by strict timelines for shoveling ice and snow from their sidewalks unless
they want to risk hefty fines.

Advertisement




5. YOU’LL NEED AN EMERGENCY FUND

Image Credit: Catherine McQueen/Moment/GettyImages

Any surprises that pop up for homeowners are often more expensive than exciting.
As many a hapless homeowner has discovered, when one appliance conks out,
there's a good chance another one is next in line. That's why it's always a good
idea to save for the proverbial rainy day.

Advertisement



"New homeowners should absolutely build emergency repair funds into their budget
since even simple fixes can be more expensive than you think," says Saunders.

Erin Nutter, a homeowner who runs The DIY Nuts blog with her husband, recalls
how shocking it was for them to discover just how expensive the "non-fun things"
were when they moved into their starter home. "From calling a plumber to getting
a new roof, the expenses can add up — and they aren't necessarily the fun things
you want to spend the money on," she says. "As a homeowner, you have to accept
that a new roof is needed more than remodeling a room just because you don't
like how it looks."

Advertisement




6. YOU’RE TIED TO THE LOCATION—AT LEAST FOR A WHILE

Image Credit: Thomas Winz/The Image Bank/GettyImages

Perhaps you've bought a "starter home," not your "forever home." If so, packing
up and leaving for a new place isn't as easy as it once was — at least in
hindsight — when you had an apartment lease. Now, unless you have an extensive
budget and can take on a second mortgage payment, you'll likely have to sell
your home before moving.

Advertisement



Advertisement



"Renting provided a certain level of flexibility and mobility that I sometimes
long for," said Petrawski.


HOMEOWNERSHIP IS A WILD RIDE

It's not just a mortgage payment that launches you into full "adulting" mode.
It's the hefty responsibility that comes with being the owner of your own
domain.

Advertisement



"Perhaps the most daunting thing about moving from an apartment to a house is
the sheer amount of responsibility it requires," says Martin Orefice, CEO, Rent
To Own Labs. ‌Everything‌ is your responsibility now, from routine maintenance
to fixing or replacing things when they break. This goes beyond a leaky faucet
or temperamental toilet. Now you're on the hook for bigger and even more crucial
components of your house, he explains, including the roof and siding—two things
you never had to give a second thought to as an apartment renter.

"It's easy to feel incompetent in these situations," Orefice says. "Be patient
with yourself, do your best, and try to learn a little more each year."

Advertisement



Advertisement


Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more
about our affiliate and product review process here.


PEOPLE ARE READING

1

6 WAYS TO FINANCE A MOVE, ACCORDING TO FINANCIAL PLANNERS

2

HOW TO WINTERIZE A HOUSE, ACCORDING TO A PRO

3

WHERE CAN I GET FREE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS?



YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

1

THE BYERS' HOUSE FROM 'STRANGER THINGS' IS NOW FOR SALE

2

EASIEST WAY TO REMOVE AN ASPHALT DRIVEWAY

3

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT TEXAS LAW REGARDING APARTMENT AIR CONDITIONERS







REPORT AN ISSUE

Contact*: Severity*: High Normal Low Description*:

Screenshot loading...

Cancel Submit
By creating an account you agree to the Hunker
Terms of Use and Privacy Notice



WE CARE ABOUT YOUR PRIVACY

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique
IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices
by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is
used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled
to our partners and will not affect browsing data.


WE AND OUR PARTNERS PROCESS DATA TO PROVIDE:

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation
data. Store and/or access information on a device. Create a personalised ads
profile. Personalised ads display, personalised content, ad and content
measurement, audience insights, and product development. List of Partners
(vendors)

I do not Accept I Accept
Show Purposes



ABOUT YOUR PRIVACY

We process your data to deliver content or advertisements and measure the
delivery of such content or advertisements to extract insights about our
website. We share this information with our partners on the basis of consent and
legitimate interest. You may exercise your right to consent or object to a
legitimate interest, based on a specific purpose below or at a partner level in
the link under each purpose. These choices will be signaled to our vendors
participating in the Transparency and Consent Framework.
More information
Allow All


MANAGE CONSENT PREFERENCES

STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES

Always Active

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched
off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you
which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy
preferences, logging in or filling in forms.    You can set your browser to
block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then
work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

TARGETING COOKIES

Targeting Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may
be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you
relevant adverts on other sites.    They do not store directly personal
information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet
device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted
advertising.

FUNCTIONAL COOKIES

Functional Cookies

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and
personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose
services we have added to our pages.    If you do not allow these cookies then
some or all of these services may not function properly.

RECEIVE AND USE AUTOMATICALLY-SENT DEVICE CHARACTERISTICS FOR IDENTIFICATION

Always Active

Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it
automatically sends, such as IP address or browser type.

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

ACTIVELY SCAN DEVICE CHARACTERISTICS FOR IDENTIFICATION

Actively scan device characteristics for identification

Your device can be identified based on a scan of your device's unique
combination of characteristics.

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

MATCH AND COMBINE OFFLINE DATA SOURCES

Always Active

Data from offline data sources can be combined with your online activity in
support of one or more purposes

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

STORE AND/OR ACCESS INFORMATION ON A DEVICE

Store and/or access information on a device

Cookies, device identifiers, or other information can be stored or accessed on
your device for the purposes presented to you.

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

USE PRECISE GEOLOCATION DATA

Use precise geolocation data

Your precise geolocation data can be used in support of one or more purposes.
This means your location can be accurate to within several meters.

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

TECHNICALLY DELIVER ADS OR CONTENT

Always Active

Your device can receive and send information that allows you to see and interact
with ads and content.

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

ENSURE SECURITY, PREVENT FRAUD, AND DEBUG

Always Active

Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent fraudulent activity, and ensure
systems and processes work properly and securely.

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

LINK DIFFERENT DEVICES

Always Active

Different devices can be determined as belonging to you or your household in
support of one or more of purposes.

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

CREATE A PERSONALISED ADS PROFILE

Create a personalised ads profile

A profile can be built about you and your interests to show you personalised ads
that are relevant to you.

Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection
List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

PERSONALISED ADS DISPLAY, PERSONALISED CONTENT, AD AND CONTENT MEASUREMENT,
AUDIENCE INSIGHTS, AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Personalised ads display, personalised content, ad and content measurement,
audience insights, and product development

 * MEASURE CONTENT PERFORMANCE
   
   Switch Label
   
   The performance and effectiveness of content that you see or interact with
   can be measured.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * DEVELOP AND IMPROVE PRODUCTS
   
   Switch Label
   
   Your data can be used to improve existing systems and software, and to
   develop new products
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * APPLY MARKET RESEARCH TO GENERATE AUDIENCE INSIGHTS
   
   Switch Label
   
   Market research can be used to learn more about the audiences who visit
   sites/apps and view ads.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * SELECT BASIC ADS
   
   Switch Label
   
   Ads can be shown to you based on the content you’re viewing, the app you’re
   using, your approximate location, or your device type.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * SELECT PERSONALISED ADS
   
   Switch Label
   
   Personalised ads can be shown to you based on a profile about you.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * MEASURE AD PERFORMANCE
   
   Switch Label
   
   The performance and effectiveness of ads that you see or interact with can be
   measured.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * CREATE A PERSONALISED CONTENT PROFILE
   
   Switch Label
   
   A profile can be built about you and your interests to show you personalised
   content that is relevant to you.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * SELECT PERSONALISED CONTENT
   
   Switch Label
   
   Personalised content can be shown to you based on a profile about you.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new Tab

PERFORMANCE COOKIES

Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and
improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the
most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.    All
information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you
do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and
will not be able to monitor its performance.

Back Button


PERFORMANCE COOKIES



Search Icon
Filter Icon

Clear
checkbox label label
Apply Cancel
Consent Leg.Interest
checkbox label label
checkbox label label
checkbox label label

Confirm My Choices