You nailed it with the “invisible” upgrades—learned that the hard way when we skipped a sump pump and paid for it later. I think setting aside a repair fund is smart, even if it feels like overkill at first. Stuff always pops up.
Honestly, I think people underestimate how much those “invisible” upgrades matter—like, you can have the prettiest kitchen in the world, but if your basement floods, it’s all for nothing. That’s where the 15-year mortgage gets tricky for me. Sure, you save on interest, but it really squeezes your monthly budget. If you’re not careful, you end up skimping on that repair fund, and then when something goes wrong (and it always does), you’re scrambling. I’d rather have a little more breathing room and keep the house running smoothly, even if it means paying a bit more in the long run.
