https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/17/90-percent-of-homeowners-underestimated-costs.html Does anyone have any tips to avoid this? I.e. what are some common "hidden" expenses that you didn't take into account or underestimated when buying a home?

Disclaimer: I didn't read the article. But from the blurb, anyone who buys a house without knowing the property tax is, shall we say, intellectually challenged, and has no business buying a house. That said, I imagine things breaking should be the biggest surprise, since people don't "expect" things to break. E.g. roof, HVAC, appliances, etc.

For me it was the desire to "upgrade" the home. When you're renting you never think of fixing anything or making improvements. The house you live in is the house you have. But when you buy one you constantly find yourself wanting to finish the basement, the garage, add an addition, redo the bathrooms, and on and on and on. None of it is necessary, but its a challenge to not do those things.

Upgrading and lawn care were the big ones for me