Housing is always in need of maintenance. Whether it's a new paint job, a new roof, pest controls, insect extermination or appliance repairs - owning a home can be costly. As any single parent knows, one must maintain cash flow to support the children. If the house becomes a burden and can't be maintained, it becomes more difficult to sell.
Keep in mind that buying a home is only a small part of the expense. In order to recoup your investment realize that maintenance is a separate and necessary part of the investment.
One of the necessary expenses of being a single parent is providing adequate food and shelter for the children. The next most necessary and perhaps greater expense is home maintenance. Here are some tips for single mothers to consider before purchasing a home:
· Have an inspection done. Home inspections will uncover any major flaws in the home before assuming responsibility. It is wise to negotiate with the seller to have any major repairs done before signing.
· Do not buy a house with an old roof on it. Although this should be considered as part of the inspection, you still need to pay attention to this detail. Get an estimate from the inspector about how long the roof may last before needing repairs.
· Make sure all repairs are done before you move in. Get in everything in writing about what will be accomplished before you actually move into your home. Generally, if not done before hand, it will not get done or cause you inconveniencies.
· Buy a policy to cover the major appliances in case they break. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care. I would try to get all new appliances as part of the purchase agreement. But if this isn’t possible, your next option is some type of coverage.
A little foresight and planning can save a lot of money. Anything that is old or aging should be negotiated in the contract for replacement. If the home seller doesn't do it, you can be sure you will be doing it.
An old roof is an expense you can’t afford to overlook. If the roof is double-shingled, the job can be two or three times more expensive than a single-shingled roof. My advice, for a single mother is avoid a house with an old roof on it, have the inspector tell you if it has a double roof or have the seller replace it before you move in.
There are many appliance policies available for major systems such as the furnace, water heater, air conditioner, refrigerator, and dishwasher. The costs are minimal but the peace of mind is priceless. Here’s a great tip for single mothers. Buy an appliance repair insurance plan. Should an appliance need repair, a service person is sent out to inspect the appliance. If it’s beyond repair, most policies allow replacement.
Single mothers don’t have a lot of extra help. There are many things to consider when purchasing a new home. Talk to some existing homeowners about things you need to consider. Most importantly, get the home inspection done. Get that done and you can rest assured you won’t be plagued with unforeseen expenses right away. There is always uncertainty, but with preplanning it won’t cause undue stress.
Joel Williams has written several books and articles for single moms. Check out his website at http://singlemomachievers.com for information, resourceful articles, parenting tools and audios plus methods you can use to become the Mom you intended to be from the start. There is a FREE report to help you get started, "Your 7 Day Personal Program For Taking Back Control Of Your Life As A Single Mom!"
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