The hidden costs of buying a home.

Well, I don't know that they're actually 'hidden', but thats the title of this article on MSN Sympatico finance about the extra expenses that people don't always take into consideration when buying a home.

Purchasing a home is a stressful experience for anyone, but especially for first-time buyers who may not be aware that there are a host of costs other than the actual purchase price and real estate commissions.

It helps to know what those costs are in advance rather than get an unexpected surprise and add to an already stressful experience.

Of course anyone buying in Vancouver today doesn't have to consider these issues, since they have a billion dollars to spend and property values will increase forever and ever hallelujah!