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#1 Mistake Buyers can Make

By
Real Estate Agent with Ivy Blessing Realty LLC

It's a well known fact that the #1 mistake that buyers could make when deciding to buy a home is miscalculating soft cost.

If you are searching in Cedar Park, North Austin and Round Rock areas to buy a home, be sure to calculate into your monthly budget the cost of toll roads. The 183A and 45 Toll Roads can be deceiving when you are driving on them. Many of my out-of-town visiting clients don't even realize they are on the Toll road and end up getting a bill in the mail. 

Having a Texas Toll Tag does reduce the cost of the tolls (and the tag will work for you statewide), but I would suggest estimating $40-$85 into your monthly budget (double the amount for two cars) if you plan to use to toll roads daily. Both Toll roads to have roads available to avoid the toll, but you will be dealing with some traffic lights -- so plan some extra time in your daily commute.

Add the Toll Tag estimated costs to your other soft costs (which could include HOA fees, Utilities, Landscaping upkeep, pool costs, pest control, HVAC maintenance costs, etc.)

I hope this helps you make a smart and knowledgeable decision when you decide to buy a home. Thank you for reading!

Jim Allhiser
Perfection Inspection, Inc. - Salem, OR
Salem, Oregon Home Inspector

Great information.  It just shows what having a true professional in your corner is worth.  This toll issue could be a budget hurter if it were to sneak up.....

Jan 14, 2010 01:42 PM
Jon Sigler
Coldwell Banker Realty - South Windsor, CT
Sigler Sold Another! 860-306-8029

Laura.  Great suggestion.  Buyers can easily get caught up in the purchase price but forget there is so much more that goes in to the total cost of ownership of a property.  Taxes, oil or another fuel, fire districts, trash removal, and in Texas the cost of toll roads.  We haven't had a toll road in CT in years, although there is talk of bringing them back. 

Jan 14, 2010 01:43 PM
Carol Pease
JP & Associates Realtors - Bastrop, TX
CRS, Broker-Associate 512-721-6320

Hi Laura:

Great suggestions.  I used to get caught on 183A and couldn't figure out how I actually got on it in the first place.  The great thing about Texas is that we don't have an income tax.  That kind of balances out the toll issue for me.

Jan 16, 2010 05:22 PM