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Ready to buy your new house? Remember to take into account the upkeep costs your landlord may have assumed at your old place. This list will give you a good idea of what to expect and what to save up for on top of your monthly mortgage payment and utilities. Costs are estimates for a 3,000 square foot home with a tile roof, fireplace and pool.

Home Maintenance (3,000 SQFT) Estimated Monthly Cost
Security alarm. Installing one may get you a discount on your homeowner’s insurance. $40.00
Central air conditioning unit. Annual maintenance will cost you about $160, and the main unit will need to be replaced about once every seven years for roughly $3,000. $49.00*
Hot water heater. Units generally need to be replaced every 12 years for about $1,200. Tankless models, which average about $4,000 can last up to 20 years. $8.00*
Trash collection. If you city doesn’t pick up your garbage, you will need to pay a waste management service. $20.00
Pest control. Southern California homes must be protected from termites, ants, cockroaches and various rodents. $65.00
Chimney. An annual cleaning costs $420 for a partitioned chimney that vents the fireplace, furnace and hot water heater. $35.00*
Driveway. It is recommended you seal an asphalt driveway every three years, which will cost about $550. It will need replacing once every 15 years for about $6,000. $53.00*
Roof. You will need to replace your roof every 25-30 years, depending on how much sun and ice it is exposed to. Tile roofs are the most common in California, and can be replaced for roughly $13,500. $38.00*
Painting. Generally, a fresh coat of paint is required every 10 years and costs about $3000 painted professionally, or $600-$1,000 for the entire home if you paint yourself. $25.00*
Pool. Pools require weekly cleaning and chemicals. $130.00
TOTAL $463.00

*Includes savings for long-term maintenance

While not all of these expenses will apply to you — you can always save by performing some of your own maintenance — they are important to consider when deciding just how much home you can afford.

Editor’s note — Brokers: for an in-depth analysis of your homeowner’s finances, use first tuesday Form 209-3, Balance sheet financial statement.