the truth about being a homeowner | the good and bad

Hello, please excuse my top, idk what was going on. Also there were 3 transitions and I know that can be distracting so my apologies. Also Kason was a distraction as well lol! I really wanted to stay consistent and post twice a week. Enjoy!
Content Creators Mentioned:
‪@TeAmoAaron‬finance KZbinr
‪@glamorouswallflower‬ -DIY Projects
‪@YoungLadyBusiness‬ -DIY Projects
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[@ignorantenlightenment]

I’m a new homeowner the stress is different, everything is on my back now

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Yes! It can be a lot

[@angelastewart9497]

That’s how I feel . I want out next year I’m selling

[@JustHere751]

I can understand why some people do not like HOA but for me, I love HOA.. I think it depends on what your HOA includes.. My HOA is amazing and includes a lot.. My HOA includes, lawn, trash, pest service, roof repairs.. If you have an HOA that you don’t like, I suggest going to the neighborhood meetings because most of them time, you can switch HOA companies..💜

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Thank you for sharing that!

[@rosem5361]

This! My HOA is great and takes so much off of my communities plate. Its strange when people hear that HOAs are actually great

[@discoveringhealthandfinanc8328]

My HOA takes my money... thats it lol. We have to take care of everything

[@ajfadeaway99]

You got it good with your HOA, I wish mine was a resourceful

[@Porschat4u]

I love being a homeowner because the way these rent prices are 😳..it’s crazy, but I regret purchasing a home with an HOA. Way too many rules. And I own a town home 🙄 meaning the homes are literally attached. So not as much privacy, and more room for complaints by neighbors if your dogs like to bark, or your music is a little too loud for them, etc. Another thing I wish I had done was have a savings account specifically for home emergencies such as the AC going out or the water heater breaking (both happened within months of each other). Repairing/replacing those can be pretty pricey. Awesome video! Thanks.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Thank you for sharing! I love when you all share your experiences ❤️

[@sherrytee2962]

Omg I've been trying to work out what was meant by Town House, in the UK we mean a 3 or 4 story house when we say Town House. The joint or not joint is terraced, semi detached or detached and this can be for any property style at all. Lol I'm sure you don't care but thanks for the clarity🤣

[@Porschat4u]

@@sherrytee2962 lol yay I’m glad I could help! And you’ve taught me something as well 😊

[@allthingsmoonchild4684]

​@@sherrytee2962 Do you think it's possible to purchase a condo in the UK for $130,000?

[@sherrytee2962]

@@allthingsmoonchild4684 yes, nowhere near London, unless shared ownership maybe, but yes though it might be a tight search and keep am eye on the map as I said.

[@aa-kk6ej]

Best KZbinr because you always keep it 💯

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Thank you! 🥹💜

[@catelizabeth]

I agree! I don't necessarily think buying or renting is better one way or the other. I think it's totally situational and is up to the individual!💜

[@geadonnamoore2719]

Exactly. I know plenty of what we call happy renters.

[@geadonnamoore2719]

And either way we pass on and the property stays here. (laugh)

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

I totally agree!

[@lanessiacarrington8283]

I 100% agree with not going with a HOA. ALL maintenance is yours and yours alone. 😂 Right nobody told me about property taxes making my mortgage increase /decrease. I thought it would be the same until the end.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Yessss!!!!

[@honeyvoss1477]

Wow, I did not know that property taxes affects your mortgage.

[@lanessiacarrington8283]

@@honeyvoss1477 Yea. You can thank the economy for that

[@1daniellejones]

I removed my property taxes from my mortgage and I pay that yearly on my own, I don’t regret it.

[@lanessiacarrington8283]

@@1daniellejones that's a good idea.

[@rosem5361]

Went from a 1 bedroom apartment in NYC to a 4 bed single family home in Florida with an HOA. Is it stressful? It depends. The home is new so in our case nothing needed fixing. It takes time to decorate and get things you really love. She is absolutely correct about taking your time. It saves you thousands of dollars. Also, this might be different for everyone but considering we came from one of the most expensive cities on earth, owning this home has actually been a walk in the park and cheaper than having our apt.

[@anthonys1325]

kiki - my opinion on home ownership is that i choose to continue to Rent because of 2 reasons - 1- i am retired on a fixed income and cannot afford a home 2- i am 60 years old , never married and never had children & finally , because i do not want the deal with the maintenance & property taxes of a home. bottom Line , i will continue to Rent for the rest of my Life. - Anthony wayne Smith

[@mirabella2154]

Sometimes it makes more sense to rent.

[@fairy7101]

I totally get this , I also rent , owning seems like so much stress and cost for maintenance

[@geadonnamoore2719]

If this is what is best for you financially and you are satisfied then good. As long as it works for you and your pocket book. This is great.

[@angelastewart9497]

Smart person . Owning is too much . Always out of pocket for something.

[@egr3071]

Buying a house seems so damn stressful. It’s scary when you’re parents didn’t buy a home. It’s like, I’m barely making decent money so that big purchase is mind boggling.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

thisssss!!!!!!! We need to talk more about this!

[@Kenny-nu3co]

This^ my parents pay like $700 a month for rent in a town of 13000 living their best life and I’m in a city living with my in laws wishing I was 💀

[@egr3071]

@@Kenny-nu3co dang! Where do they live at? Sounds like a dream in this economy

[@glamorouswallflower]

Heyyy babeee😘 thanks for the love🖤 Some real good tips and Chile I now flinch when I hear "HOA"🥴.. she's right ya'll #PayAttention

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

thank you my love!

[@YupStephDoesIt]

Girl yes! When I was looking to buy my first house, I kept saying “this is a rental property” over and over again. I found out I was pregnant 2 weeks after I got pregnant, moved in with my sons father and rented my house out for 3.5 years. Can’t wait to rent it out again but that comes with another set of expenses

[@cp3onmtv963]

Whew Chile where do I start lol. First, I love this channel. It’s real, no false pretense, and also not vulgar, which too many ppl find difficult to do knowadays. Please grow, but don’t change! (

[@liplock000]

Sticks and Elmer’s glue! 🤣 accurate

[@cp3onmtv963]

@@liplock000 girl there was a video going viral the other day of a house that had all the framing done (in one of those “complexes” where all the houses look exactly the same) LITERALLY falling over AND taking the house adjacent down with it! 2 brand “new” houses! 😳 it’s a no for me dawg

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

I love this comment! Thank you for sharing

[@geadonnamoore2719]

I'm glad you are enjoying your home and all it has to offer you.

[@cp3onmtv963]

@@geadonnamoore2719 thx!

[@FloEunice]

Another thing I would add is watch out for solicitors ! Baby, they will come knocking on your door every second to sell you something. I had folks come to sell me solar panels, water system, security cameras, advanced glass windows, etc just about anything. I even had a young lady try to sell a whole new windshield for my car 🥴 she was sweet but I told her no thanks. I can’t count how many times I said no repeatedly to others. Its a trap for them to put you in more debt. I would make sure that you’re financial stable to own one if you think about purchasing but would wait til the market goes down b/c right now mortgage is way too high to pay over $2k a month along with high interest rates. I was fortunate to receive a low rate of 2.6% with low mortgage payment. I’m a homeowner and whew you find out a lot of things you wished you could of done differently but the benefit of it is that you learn what to do or not do if you decide to own a second home.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

yes!!!! I forgot to mention this!

[@mamatosh05]

If you can purchase a home, & want to, purchase it. Rent is never going backwards/down. You don't want to be an elderly having to move & look for a place all because someone wants to sell or want their property back. Just like you save for your vacations, that special something, you save for maintenance for your home. One of the best decisions I've ever made was buying a home. You can always rent it out, sell it if need be.

[@laurenwilkerson3966]

I love owning my own home, but I wish people talked more about property taxes. I live in IL and they seem to go up every year 🤨. One of the reasons people buy a home is for a fixed payment. When you factor in tax changes, that mortgage can keep changing if everything is rolled into the payment. I have known folks that have lost their home because they could not keep up with those taxes. And yes, you can fight them, but that takes time, effort and possibly money for an attorney.

[@maris_memoir]

I live in Illinois as well and someone was just telling me today to look into homeowners exemptions credit. It's supposed to give you a discount on your taxes

[@TafurLLC]

Same in new england 😢

[@RacquelNM]

I agree. I don’t understand why people make their first home their forever home. I feel like there are so many kinks to work out. you will only know what you do and don’t want in your home once you’ve purchased and lived in it. After that first experience you can then almost definitively say yes I want this in my forever home or no it turns out I don’t really want this.

[@britt08031]

I’m with you on the grass lol. So annoying and I would pass out trying to mow my yard myself 😂

[@dywenqueen]

Love the consistency ✨✨✨

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

I’m really trying! I will keep this up

[@ruthhouston9860]

Yessss these are making my days!!!

[@KourttneyL]

This is Informative! My boyfriend bought our house with cash so we have SO MUCH remodeling to do. Slowly but surely we’re getting there! I just wanted to update you since I found your channel last month. I am at $2,000 saved for my 10K savings challenge. I’m so so hype and motivated now! Seeing that I can save that much makes me happy!

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Yayyyy!!!! Congrats! ❤️❤️❤️

[@Tacos907]

You got this ♥️

[@luckylib]

I have been watching Young Lady Business since she was in the home buying process. I love your content because it has been great to see someone like me to admire. You drop Diamonds 💎 with every upload.

[@sincerelysandi]

Hunny owning that home is alottttt of maintenance ! I'm thinking of renting or even downsizing from a 2 bedroom townhome with HOA, to a even smaller place(tiny house). Great content as usual.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

I think that thats a great idea!

[@TFlowers]

Great video. I one hundred percent champion Homeownership. I’m in a HOA, but it’s good. I don’t trust people not to paint their homes pink, lol. I feel homeownership is an investment in yourself. The financial Sacrifice is worth it.

[@marisoljesus9862]

Great content thank you. I watch all of them and sometimes more than once. They're very helpful. Many more blessings🙏

[@bclaude87]

Love this channel. The videos are so real and honest. Lot of practical productive advice EVERYONE can execute. She fine and fly too, so that's also a plus. 😊

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

thank you!

[@Blue-ke9fu]

I love this channel so much, you always keep it REAL

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

I appreciate that!

[@tiffanyrobinson4719]

Although I no longer seek to buy, this was great advice especially about jumping straight into decorating or renovating on such a personal level. I recently told my cousin this and it was ignored 😒 Let me also apologize to you for my previous post about "proper shoes" it was not meant in the way it carried over. I clearly left out ALL necessary emoji's to indicate it was all in fun. Never my intention to send negative energy anyone's way❤

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

youre fine! I apologize as well!

[@tiffanyrobinson4719]

@@LifeAs_Kiki Thank you ❤

[@Winterfreshmac]

Great video 🔥. Glad we didn’t get a house with an HOA, I just felt like I’m not going to pay mortgage and taxes on a house and let someone in a way dictate how I live in my house you know. We been in our house almost two years and just started redoing our house, so you was spot with everything 👌🏾

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

AGREED! I just couldn’t do it

[@deedeesaidso5910]

Thank you I want to be a homeowner so I will definitely be doing a lot of research before I do.

[@J.Butta85]

Oh and your son is the cutest lil boy lol this was my first time seeing him 🥰🥰 he looooove his momma !!!

[@bjb91productions2]

Thank you for this! I just subscribed. I was looking at renting a home as opposed to owning one being single with no kids. Thank you for the HOA advice. I gotta look more into that.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

You’re welcome! Thank you for the sub!

[@alh9569]

Would you mind doing a video on things you wished you knew before buying your vehicle? Especially because it was your first time buying one?

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

yes! I will do that for sure

[@micheles.3587]

Maintenance cost, escrow differences which as property taxes and insurance increases, so does the escrow and if can’t pay amount difference if increase then it rolls into mortgage and little by little your monthly payment increases. Pros and cons in both for sure, but at least monthly payment goes toward something and no landlord, so there’s that. Again, pros and cons with both, and thank you Kiki! Good one. 🙏🏼💕

[@micheles.3587]

And dang, you covered that part later on. I should have know as you’re on it. 😉

[@jneworleans]

Thank you, for this video! Society tends to get lost in the idea of home ownership and not understanding the reality of it.

[@latoyab8337]

I love being a home owner. I made sure to avoid HOA because I’m against it. My home is sitting on 1/2 acre with a huge yard. I brought my home prior to marrying my husband and my husband home has HOA and there’s so many rules with living in a HoA. I’m currently renting out my home but glad I purchased in 2016 and it was an older home. I do agree with you that my first home is not my forever home but I will not sale my home. I’m a firm believer I won’t sale anything I own.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

yesss! Keeping those assets

[@ARpirateant]

All my bills. Water electric mortgage hoa for my 3room 2.5bath townhome I got in November 2021 is cheaper than a 1-2 room apartment in the same area it’s wild. But got a good deal on my townhome

[@shayneizunobi7130]

Thanks for posting. I knew from when I was very young that I didn’t want to deal with a landlord for long, and the crappy behaviour engaged in by the large ones especially earlier in the pandemic cemented that opinion. Still, I learned about some costs I never thought would come with home ownership and new ways to deal with them…

[@jayys7745]

Could you do a video like this but on apartments like maybe advice to your younger self on apartments ?

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

for sure! I can do a part 2

[@J.Butta85]

Smh dope I agree with you 100% I did EXACTLY everything you said and had the same thought process when buying my home it’s been 5yrs now contemplating if I should sell my home or continue to rent it out when my mate and I move to Mexico at the end of this year.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Please keep me posted on the decision you make because thats a tough choice

[@J.Butta85]

@@LifeAs_Kiki will do sis

[@annsaeli7583]

Kason is adorable!

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

thank you!

[@dionneking8]

cant wait to own my home

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Coming soon!

[@essencemylyfe]

I'm a former homeowner, I miss it but the current climate here in MN is extremely high property taxes. I have friends who are barely making their mortgage, this was an additonal expense not really taken into consideration by some.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

yes! A lot of people dont talk about that part

[@TafurLLC]

My job is to serve homeowners, and I love it. I have been doing it for a long time. Being a homeowner has a lot of pros and cons. The biggest problem is the banks running the show. Do you think it is fear for a house that cost 250000 you have to pay 2000 a month for 30 years. You end up paying $720,000 for a house that costs 250,000. That's definitely a huge cons .

[@journeytowisdomandwealth2905]

These are so on point .. I did think about most of this but there were some things I was like buy why...ps I love both Glamarous Wallflower & Young Lady Business ♥️... my house I'd definitely not my forever home Damn these steps lol ..nah love my home...but ut will probably be a rental property.. n they e renting for 1600 in my neighborhood.. but my mortgage is NOT That

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Yes to the rental property!!! 🤍

[@syd3724]

Love the baby video bomb 🥰

[@MsNakiarooks]

I died when you said you were going to cut your grass 2025 😆 🤣

[@judithpriestess7781]

SUCH sage advice!! So clear and concise. I absolutely appreciate your channel! 🤗

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Thank you so much!

[@masershazemenfes1288]

Girl, I love ❤️ your natural beauty… gorgeous!💕

[@brin495]

This is too good lived all the tips

[@ayannamarie123]

Yes! I love TeAmoAaron’s videos

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

She’s the bomb!

[@teshianicole4028]

I actually love having an HOA. As long as the assessment fee is reasonable and includes the things I know I don’t want to maintain (lawn, exterior, and so on) because I’m not maintaining any of that and finding good help is harddd. My HOA is $190 monthly for a new townhome. My previous townhome was like $90 monthly. I’ve seen ridiculous HOA prices though like $300-500 and that’s an immediate no.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

my mom is team HOA too. There are definitely perks to having it

[@teshianicole4028]

@@LifeAs_Kiki completely agree. But like you mentioned. Just a matter of knowing what works for you and understanding what to expect (pros and cons)

[@kimberly77ish]

@@teshianicole4028 Hello! Question from a wanna be home owner, lol. Can HOA fees increase? Also, can HOA make any changes to the contract signed by homeowners whether they approve or not?

[@teshianicole4028]

@@kimberly77ish congrats on starting your journey to home ownership! Yes the HOA amount can change. The HOA committee/ board has to notify homeowners. They have meetings that home owners can attend and vote in person on changes or vote via proxy(ballot). You can vote on board members and community updates or make requests. The HOA board members handle essentially things going on within the community, homeowner requests and lawn/property maintenance. If the fee for trash removal increases that can impact your HOA, prices of the lawn maintenance company and so on. It will also depend on what your HOA fee covers. So be sure to review those details. I don’t recall my HOA increasing too much. Maybe a few dollars with my first townhouse and with my current one it hasn’t increased thus far. Hope this helps.

[@T.MCJ1911]

My hoa fee is 356 a month for a 2 bedroom condo. I would be pro hoa if it was more affordable but right now no way lol

[@warreng106]

I applaud you Kiki, btw nice name lol, but one question, did you get a fix rate on your home, if you did the mortgage wouldn't increase, it's the property taxes and insurance that makes the escrow increase

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

yes I locked in a fixed rate. My insurance stays the same but taxes? They drastically increase because the city I'm in is getting sooo popular

[@warreng106]

@@LifeAs_Kiki Do you have a savings account for the purpose of your escrow increases?

[@yAkidAgain]

2025! 😆 on a real note I really appreciate this new set of information. I'm 30 and I'm the same way, the more I sit with myself I'm like I have knowbidea what I'm doing with my life. But I'm making attempts to be the best version if myself day by day. I never saw or had the dream of owning a home and still don't ro this day, not to say I won't or will have that will at some point. Currently my nest friend and his gf are renting a home layer this year in California and I plan to move in with them hopefully this year if not early next year and for me that's a bug step forward from living with my parents for all these years.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

yesss! save that money. Thats a smart move

[@astarisborn9820]

HOA’s Condo’s and CO-OPs big NO, NO!! For me. I remember of financial expert asking if people if they knew how slums were built. He then said if is the end stage of the life of HOA/Condo/CO-OP. I never forgot that these almost 20 years later.

[@RacquelNM]

Great tips on exit methods and ownership options.

[@GoldenAdornsLiving]

Thank you for your video, really good points mentioned!

[@phillipsbrings]

As stressful as home ownership can be, would you give it all up to be a tenant? I think the pros far outweigh the cons.

[@user-bj1ez7wr7n]

Thanks for the channel recommendations

[@moneytalkswithjonathanthom4150]

we did #6 it's double in value and once paid off it pays for our new home complete..no such thing as forever home

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

yessss!!! I love this

[@stasiabanto6055]

Regarding your garden could you consider artifical grass? If you do the work yourself digging out you just need to pay for the grass and someone to lay it☺️

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

GASPS!!! WHAT A GREAT IDEA. I need to look into that

[@stasiabanto6055]

I think it looks better than bark and stone because it keeps the colour in the garden☺️. If you choose bark lets say and then buy a shed table and chairs and have no flower beds because your not into the garden the garden looks so dull with so many plain beige colours. Thanks for all your videos❤️ single mom of 2 and you show me what is possible. May life keep blessing you☺️

[@masershazemenfes1288]

Your hair looks good beautiful lady ❤️

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@masershazemenfes1288]

@@LifeAs_Kiki You are Welcome 🤗

[@bagery]

Aww, look at that little face! Almost makes me want one. Almost. But I'm good, haha. Neat fella there ;)

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Whew! Im waiting on him to turn 18 lol kids are BUSYYYY

[@michellemaxwell4392]

🤣🤣🤣 watching Netflix on the fridge

[@shaunesseyr]

Yea I would never do HOA

[@AlanaGurl]

Your son is so cute ☺️

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

thank you!

[@AlanaGurl]

@@LifeAs_Kiki you’re welcome

[@FIRE_DrNinjaTurtle]

Good stuff.

[@jawwaadwilson592]

I made an offer and closed 30 days later. It was a good experience for me the buying process but it’s not like a glamorous thing in my opinion.

[@angelastewart9497]

It’s so stressful. You pay at least 10 bills . I have been in my house 2 years and already spent 7000

[@GodbeeVlogs]

I LIKE WATCHING YOUR VIDEO

[@sherrytee2962]

Great video....(Spiderman thinks so too?)

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

I think so! lol

[@wazza1380]

Yes girl.

[@ikeprude]

good video, car seat is sus

[@stonecoldsigma]

No HOA for me. Can't do it.

[@TheRealEstateInsider]

🤩

[@Rjisawake]

Lol I don't wanna cut my grass either

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

its tew much!

[@spiritofdetroitpodcast]

It’s official I have a celebrity crush ! Talk that fuckinn talk *fine with a mind*

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

omg! you're too kind

[@williamsmith8041]

HOW,WHY would your mortgage payment go up??

[@nessliestrife993]

Kiki: 2025 Me: 🤦🏿‍♂️ 💀 🤣

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Lmao!!

[@lilgoodie06]

Your mortgage doesn't change. The escrow might , but the mortgage doesn't

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

do you pay your escrow separately or with your mortgage? Your mortgage payment increases due to escrow so I know that ❤️

[@lilgoodie06]

@@LifeAs_Kiki I just recently opted out of my escrow to pay the taxes and insurance myself. The math wasn't mathing 😆

[@antarahibnshaddad7725]

She got a pretty voice..

[@jaylonwoodson298]

How did you not have water or gas bills at your apartment? I must be picking the wrong ones to live in...

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

The apartment I had included water and was all electric Luckily!

[@blacklyfe6881]

What is hoa?

[@lewie5561]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Lifewith_charlotte_]

Buying a home and have to stay alone as a woman, I don't think it's something I can do. At least not anytime soon.

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

I wouldn't have been able to do it unless I was house hacking so I Completely understand

[@masershazemenfes1288]

You son is so handsome 🥰

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Thank you!

[@masershazemenfes1288]

@@LifeAs_Kiki You are welcome!

[@theamethyst93]

When your son gets old enough he can cut that grass 🤣

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Yessss! 😂😂

[@gillian32]

Spider-Man! Spider-Man!

[@masershazemenfes1288]

May I ask how old are you? You look so young… isn’t a complement!

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

Hola! I’m 27

[@masershazemenfes1288]

@@LifeAs_Kiki hello 👋 to you as well! I am 29 years old woman 👵 trying to upgrade my life so I like what you are doing with these great lessons videos you do❤️❤️👏👏👏👏❤️❤️. Thank you 🙏 😊

[@masershazemenfes1288]

What is HOA??

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

It’s home owners association (usually a monthly or yearly fee you have to pay)

[@masershazemenfes1288]

@@LifeAs_Kiki oh ok thank you for helping me understand what it means!🙏

[@masershazemenfes1288]

@@LifeAs_Kiki I am not a home 🏠 owner so that’s why I ask and hope 1 day I will get my own house 🏡

[@et2525]

.

[@anthonys1325]

Kiki - do me a favor & give me an shout out in your next video! - Anthony w smith

[@Msdufr]

$160K could buy me a room in my area 😭

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

where are you!

[@Msdufr]

@@LifeAs_Kiki Tri-state area.

[@angelastewart9497]

HOA sucks

[@fortheloveofpearl999]

2025 huh!? lol bet you wont cause by that time you'd be making more bank n can afford it, lol. 2025 :)

[@LifeAs_Kiki]

SPEAKING THIS INTO EXISTENCE! lol