Congratulations! You're ready to move on from your starter home into a bigger home with more bells and whistles. This can be a very exciting time for many homeowners that can now look forward to the reality of owning their dream home.

However, it is worth mentioning that your new Jacksonville Beach home may cost you more than you think. Although we all consider the higher mortgage payment associated with a larger home, it is worth our while to also consider all of the added expenses that go along with trading up to a larger home.

• Property taxes - Inquire about the property taxes on the new home, as they can be significant and can affect your overall household budget. Remember: more expensive homes equal higher property taxes.


• Utilities - Consider updating your household budget to account for an increase in utilities for your new Jacksonville Beach home. You may also want to ask the current homeowners about their utility bills. Most sellers will be more than happy to provide you with recent utility bills to give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for your gas, water, electric and sewage.


• Furniture - Is your new home larger than your old one? If so, you will probably need to consider purchasing more furniture. It may be a good idea to set aside some money to account for new furniture for your new home. You may also want to get measurements of the rooms in your new home so that you can determine if your furniture will be too small for the spaces.


• Maintenance - Bigger homes typically require more maintenance, so plan for an increase in your household repairs budget. Don't forget about other types of maintenance, as well, including lawn service, pest control services, landscaping services and the like.


• Homeowners insurance - Contact your homeowners insurance company with the specifics of the new property so that you can get a better idea of the increase in your homeowners insurance payments.