There is one home expense that is getting more attention lately, and it is not always the one people think of first.

Homeowners insurance.

Most buyers start their search by thinking about the home's price, the mortgage payment, the interest rate, and maybe the property taxes. But insurance is becoming a bigger part of the conversation, especially as costs have changed and buyers are paying closer attention to their total monthly payment.

I am hearing more questions about things like roof age, past claims, storm damage, replacement costs, and deductibles.

And these are smart questions.

A buyer may love a house, but if the insurance quote comes back higher than expected, it can affect how comfortable they feel moving forward. Sometimes it can even cause them to look more closely at the condition of the roof, the age of major systems, or whether certain repairs should be handled before closing.

For sellers, this matters too.

The better prepared you are, the fewer surprises there are once a buyer is interested. Knowing the age of your roof, having documentation for updates, and understanding whether there have been past insurance claims can help answer buyer questions with more confidence.

My takeaway is this: homeowners insurance is no longer just a closing detail. It is part of the affordability conversation.

If you are thinking about selling, it is worth looking at your home through a buyer’s eyes. They are asking, “Can I afford to own it?”

And that is a very different question.