Consider the insurance.
It's a big expense, but an essential one. Learn the facts about insuring your home and be sure to get the best coverage at the lowest cost.
You may pay less for insurance if you buy a house close to a fire hydrant, for example. It may also be cheaper if your home's electrical, heating, and plumbing systems are less than 10 years old.
Increase your deductible.
Deductibles are the amount you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance company starts to pay a claim. If you can afford to raise your deductible from $500 to $1,000, you may save as much as 25%.
Make your home more disaster resistant.
Find out from your insurance agent what steps you can take to make your home more resistant to natural disasters.
Improve your home security.
You can usually get discounts for a smoke detector, burglar alarm, or dead-bolt locks. And some companies cut your premiums if you install a sprinkler system or fire and burglar alarms that ring at a monitoring station.
Stay with the same insurer.
If you have kept your coverage with a company for several years, you may receive a discount. Also, consider buying home and auto policies from the same insurer.

How much can I afford?