If you are buying your first home, chances are you are stretching your savings to the max.  Depending on your situation, you may have some other initial expenses to consider:

• Moving expenses
  Whether you’ll be hiring a moving company or renting a truck and asking friends for help, there are likely to be moving expenses.

• Renovations or repairs
  Can renovations or repairs be delayed, or are some necessary to do immediately?

• Condominium Fees
  Do you have to make the initial payment for these monthly fees?

• Service connection fees
  Telephone, gas, electricity, cable TV, satellite TV, Internet, and so on, may charge service connection fees. Some utilities may ask you to pay a deposit.

• Appliances
  Does your new homecome with appliances? Do you already have your own?

• Gardening equipment
  Will you need to buy gardening equipment the first summer in your new home?

• Snow-clearing equipment
  Will you need to buy snow-clearing equipment the first winter in your new home?

• Window treatments
  Do blinds or curtains come with the house?

• Decorating materials
  Do you want to re-paint or apply wallpaper? Do the floors need to be refinished or re-carpeted? Do you have all the tools you need for decorating?

• Hand tools
  Do you have the basic hand tools you’ll need for your new home?

• Dehumidifier
  Will you need a dehumidifier to control moisture levels?

Check out this short video to learn more about home buying costs that you may not know about.