Experts say the "hidden costs" of owning a home, especially repairs and maintenance, can come as a shock for homeowners. Based on that calculation, Bankrate estimated, annual maintenance costs in some of the states with the highest home prices — like California, Hawaii and Massachusetts — can go over $26,000 annually. Keep your 'critical eye' as a homeownerOnce you become a homeowner, it will be important to keep up with routine maintenance in your house. To avoid surprises, try to regularly inspect your home and look for spots or corners that may need to be fixed. While homeowners are "the most critical" of a house when they're buying, they often don't keep the "critical eye" after moving in, said Hicks.

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Persons: Alex Marrero, " Marrero, expats, Marrero, Angi.com, they're, Angie Hicks, Bankrate.com, Massachusetts —, you've, Jeff Ostrowski, Hicks, Dan Bawden, That's, Bawden, Tom Grill Organizations: Finance, Bankrate.com, CNBC, National Association of Realtors, Legal Eagle Contractors, Co Locations: Coral Springs , Florida, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Bellaire , Texas