[PurePeach]

Originally Posted by WiscoDogsDad

HOWDY!

My plan is to be a Villages home owner by the end of next summer. I'm a planner.

I have a spreadsheet started, for estimated/budgeted costs of maintaining the home....this spreadsheet is ONLY about the house...not food, not clothing, not entertainment/lifestyle.

It is...as far as I know...fairly comprehensive as it's been compiled with the help of my ten-year Villages veterans....my parents.

If you were blindsided by any monthly home costs, I would appreciate your insight.

You have my appreciation, in advance.

In addition to what others have suggested, I think your gas estimate may be low. I live in a patio villa and cook with gas, as well as heat. I budget my both gas and electricity and my gas runs $41/mo and my electricity is $82/mo. And if you get suckered in by Massey for termite, inside bugs, and lawn care — another $300+/yr. I only kept the termite protection as my husband and I handled all the other in Atlanta and do it quite successfully here, too.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

2019 Designer Begonia,
2023 Annual Expenses
Cash Cost and Maintenance Cash Savings required (subjective depending upon house and age, etc)

21,000 annual cash cost
5,000 annual cash savings for maintenance replacements

$26,000 Annual cost of the house,
excluding mortgage (we don't have one)

[sharonl7340]

Originally Posted by WiscoDogsDad

Topspin,

I don't understand the cost to which you're referring....and that scares me a little. Can I impose upon you to give me details?

This is EXACTLY the kind of thing for which I'm looking! BLINDSPOT!

You ad volerm and non- ad valorem included in your tax bill is the fire district assessment which went up 300% this year, the maintenance fee, and your bond which can be a total of $38,000 for your property. We bought pre-owned and our bond payoff was $10,000 which is about $960 per year.

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

21,000 annual cash cost
5,000 annual cash savings for maintenance replacements

$26,000 Annual cost of the house,
excluding mortgage (we don't have one)

This most closely matches our experience. We are at 24k a year. New house all in, no mortgage.

[bragones]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

None of those are "blind side costs"...

I think the responses covered well the monthly costs and many blind side costs. When I moved to FL a relative warned me that things break in FL. He was right. I moved into a 20 yr old home with a pool. I replaced and repaired many things that I hadn't included in the monthly budget so I would consider them blind side costs. They included;

• Garage Door Springs
  Metal blinds that began to stick and break
  Window balancer springs
  Driveway pavers and maintenance
  Rescreened and painted the lanai. Beams became stained, screens were loose/molded
  Replaced pool pump and light. Resurfaced the pool gel coat
  Replaced the refigerator because it broke and the rest of the appliance to match
  Replaced the disposal
  AC and dryer vent cleaning
  Updated the water filtration system
  Added landscape rocks and repaired weed barrier
  Remodeled bathrooms
  In addition, major updates made and included in other posts were roof, water heater and AC

[Normal]

Originally Posted by WiscoDogsDad

Outstanding....thanks....probably should have listed what I HAVE, to facilitate answers....For review and critique:
Type Mthly est - 2024
Mortgage 1100
Electric 150
Gas 25
Villages Utilities (Amenities embedded) 350
TV 80
Internet 45
Landscaping service 90
Mowing service 65
Exterminator service 40
Bond 100
Real Estate Taxes 250
HVAC 15
Homeowner's Ins 200
Auto Ins. 140
Painting, ext. 25
House washing 6
Flatwork washing 5

Your tax estimate seems to be on the lower end. We set aside 600 a month. Maybe you are calculating for unincorporated areas? Still, county taxes are not cheap and don’t get me started on Wildwood or Leesburg taxes. Also, if you are using a water softener, media can be anywhere between 10 and 40 a month(depends on salt or potassium). Whole home water filter system filters are about 100 a year and a refrigerator filter is about 40 every 6 months.

[jebartle]

Tire and battery replacement on carts

[TCRSO]

In tracking our expenses, we include lost interest for the equity in the home.

[Timothyimitchell]

This is quite accurate QUOTE=WiscoDogsDad;2355884]Outstanding....thanks....probably should have listed what I HAVE, to facilitate answers....For review and critique:
Type Mthly est - 2024
Mortgage 1100
Electric 150
Gas 25
Villages Utilities (Amenities embedded) 350
TV 80
Internet 45
Landscaping service 90
Mowing service 65
Exterminator service 40
Bond 100
Real Estate Taxes 250
HVAC 15
Homeowner's Ins 200
Auto Ins. 140
Painting, ext. 25
House washing 6
Flatwork washing 5[/QUOTE]

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Timothyimitchell

This is quite accurate QUOTE=WiscoDogsDad;2355884]Outstanding....thanks....probably should have listed what I HAVE, to facilitate answers....For review and critique:
Type Mthly est - 2024
Mortgage 1100
Electric 150
Gas 25
Villages Utilities (Amenities embedded) 350
TV 80
Internet 45
Landscaping service 90
Mowing service 65
Exterminator service 40
Bond 100
Real Estate Taxes 250
HVAC 15
Homeowner's Ins 200
Auto Ins. 140
Painting, ext. 25
House washing 6
Flatwork washing 5

[/QUOTE]

Am I the only person who's mystified and amazed, that folks really live on a "budget" that gets so deep into the weeds, they're concerned about allocating/budgeting $6/month for "house washing" or $5/month for "flat work washing" ?

My theory on budgeting, goes back to a conversation I had with a friend, 30+ years ago at a political fundraiser.

I said, "we better get out of here now, before I need to take a 2nd mortgage on my house to satisfy everyone who's looking for money". He said, "I don't have a 1st mortgage". When I asked him about it, he said, "I only buy things that cost about 1/2 of what I can afford. Take my sailboat. I could have bought one for $200k, but I bought one for $100K, that way, when I need new "sails", I can easily afford the $25K". Made sense to me, even if I'm not a sailor.

[If ShippinguptoBoston reads this, ask me who the people were and you'll get a good laugh.)

[Michael 61]

I like that logic - I bought a villa and was able to do many major upgrades vs purchasing a more expensive home with a view lot, and not having much left to improve or customize the home. . I’m rarely ever home anyway, and have found the lifestyle here is far more important than the home.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Am I the only person who's mystified and amazed, that folks really live on a "budget" that gets so deep into the weeds, they're concerned about allocating/budgeting $6/month for "house washing" or $5/month for "flat work washing" ?

People who live and die by budgets and spending have money control issues. many have a paycheck to paycheck mentality of control. Its a planning illusion, but many have it, but its comforting to them to stay in financial control.

I have seen worse money behaviors in my family. I have seen a husband put his wife on an allowance so he controls all the money. I have seen a husband make his wife get a part time cashier job for her spending money, while he buys $80K trucks he doesn't need. I have seen people complain about paying taxes for being successful, so that they don't want to look wealthy, ie, can join in the complaining and look for handouts. I have seen people get angry about getting free stuff they don't need. I have seen people throw out itemized VISA bills and kept the monthly VISA payment check as proof of spending for tax deductions, such as medical expenses. .

If people are worried about running out of money, either they are neurotic about money or are living above their means. .

with finance(not accounting) maintenance is a funny expense. . Ask the consultants who routinely advise to cut maintenance since nothing bad has happened with a good maintenance plan.

either you save for it knowingly, or you pay as you go and take a bit more out of the IRA/savings than normal. . but its also a good way to see when you run out of money in the very, very long run. . of course they may not live that long, but no one knows when the end may come.

[Jerseygirl08]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Yes, on the pepper grinder, it was an interesting project.

Once again, Villagetinker comes to the rescue. You are always so willing to help others. Amazing! Is your nickname "McGiver"?

[Drakeswood]

Any tips on learning more about those violations to watch out for?

[WiscoDogsDad]

Am I the only person who's mystified and amazed, that folks really live on a "budget" that gets so deep into the weeds, they're concerned about allocating/budgeting $6/month for "house washing" or $5/month for "flat work washing" ?

My theory on budgeting, goes back to a conversation I had with a friend, 30+ years ago at a political fundraiser.

I said, "we better get out of here now, before I need to take a 2nd mortgage on my house to satisfy everyone who's looking for money". He said, "I don't have a 1st mortgage". When I asked him about it, he said, "I only buy things that cost about 1/2 of what I can afford. Take my sailboat. I could have bought one for $200k, but I bought one for $100K, that way, when I need new "sails", I can easily afford the $25K". Made sense to me, even if I'm not a sailor.

[If ShippinguptoBoston reads this, ask me who the people were and you'll get a good laugh.)[/QUOTE]
Brian,

I appreciate and completely agree with your comments. Getting bogged down in minutiae is no way to live.

This will not be an ongoing budget document. I'm merely collecting ideas about costs that will PROBABLY be part of my post-work life in The Villages. I'm VASTLY more interested in the monthly/yearly "Big Round Number", than the picky details...but the big numbers are made of small numbers.

Apologies if my intent was unclear.