Buying a home isn't just a 20% down payment and a monthly check for the mortgage.
There are a mountain of hidden costs - from closing fees to taxes - that can add up to more than $9,000 each year, real estate marketplace Zillow estimates - and that number will only jump if you live in a major US city.
Business Insider spoke to Zillow's chief economist, Svenja Gudell, about the three big unavoidable costs - homeowners' insurance, property taxes, and utilities - and other common costs that are often overlooked.
If you're considering buying a home, be mindful of these expenses when establishing your budget, Gudell says:
Dylan Roach/Business Insider