Buying a home is so expensive these days that it can seem unattainable — I know I don't see myself doing it any time soon. But I love learning about the process for if/when that day finally comes. It costs so much more than just the mortgage, and since home ownership is so complex, it's easy to make mistakes along the way.
So if you're a homeowner, I want to know: what's the most expensive mistake you've made involving your home?
Maybe you made a mistake during the homebuying process that ended up costing you, like passing on a roof inspection. A few months after you moved in, the rainy season started and your new house unfortunately sprung several leaks. You ended up having to pay for a full roof replacement that you definitely hadn't planned on.
Or perhaps you wish you'd known more about which appliances are okay to get used for cheap and which ones you're better off getting new. You thought you got a great deal when you swooped up a free washing machine on Craigslist, but it used way more water and energy than a newer model, causing your bills to jump. And since it quickly broke down, you ended up having to buy a new one anyway.
Or maybe you planned to DIY a household project, but it ended up costing you a lot more than you'd anticipated. From accidentally buying the wrong supplies to complications that arose when you actually started working on your house, the whole thing ended up costing you more time and money than you would've liked.
