What additional costs will I incur after buying a house?

The dream property has been found, the financing is in place, and the purchase agreement can soon be signed. But here, too, the unofficial rule applies: before the purchase is after the purchase. Because in addition to the monthly mortgage payment, the ancillary costs should also be factored in from the very beginning. Our overview shows what these operating costs include.

Ongoing operating costs include all items that are incurred regularly, independent of the purchase price and any additional purchase costs. These include, for example, costs for electricity, garbage collection, or street cleaning.

Our recommendation: be sure to find out about these costs before you buy. You'll need them anyway when preparing your household budget, which you'll need for your loan application. This way, you can immediately see how much money you have left for the monthly loan payment.

Ongoing utility costs: approximately 4 euros per square meter per month

To get a first idea of ​​the costs, a rule of thumb is to calculate a sum of €4 per square meter of living space. Ask your real estate agent if you are unsure what exactly is included in the living space calculation. The following cost items should be included in your calculation:

• Water (including wastewater)
• Electricity
• gas
• Heating and heating maintenance
• Insurance
• Property tax
• Waste disposal fees
• Street cleaning
• Telephone and Internet
• chimney sweep

Furthermore, costs for repairs, maintenance, and upkeep should be considered. If the property includes a garden whose upkeep would be too demanding for the owner, the costs for a gardener must also be taken into account.

Save on utility costs – here's how

Not only relevant in times of inflation and generally rising costs: regularly comparing providers, switching to an energy-saving heating system, and using energy-efficient construction methods can save on utility costs in the long run. We'd be happy to tell you what else you can do.

Are you looking to buy a property but unsure about the costs involved? Contact us! We'd be happy to advise you.

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