A tony address calls for corresponding bling.

Experts warn that underestimating non-mortgage costs is one of the biggest mistakes homebuyers make when budgeting for a move-up.

Kimberly Smith/Staff (ENLARGE)

Jeff Shure of Sure Pool Services of Woodstock cleans out the skimmers on the inground pool at the Sandy Springs home of Chuck and Jane Ann Jarvis. A weekly visit costs $40 plus about $300-400 per year for pool chemicals.

MONTHLY EXPENSES 430 Kenbrook Drive • Yard service: $325 • Maid: $400 • Alarm: $18.95 • Trash: $34 • Gas: $222.05 • Electricity: $237.28 • Water: $96.71 • Pest control: $45.25 • Taxes: $429 Source: Homeowner Jane Ann Jarvis 2006 AJC HOME SALES REPORT The hottest ZIPs • Percent growth • High to Low • Absolute growth The hottest ZIPs for starter homes • New homes • Resale homes County Comparison • New Homes • Existing homes What happened in your county ZIPs? • Cherokee - Cobb • DeKalb - Hall • Fulton - Henry • Newton - Walton THE FULL REPORT Looking for a home? • Go to ajchomefinder.com

Buyers in the million-dollar range should factor into their household budgets such expenses as security, association fees and lawn service.

And yes, they'll be expected to keep up with the Joneses' seven-figure standard of living, where even routine expenses can carry an enormous price tag.

Harry Norman agent Emilie Posner-Haas provided household-cost information on her five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath listing at 3872 Randall Ridge in Buckhead, a $1.1 million house. The figures show that routine — even mandatory — expenses such as taxes and insurance, added up to more than $37,000 in extra spending every year.

That's like buying an upscale new car, for cash, every 365 days.

"The expenses go with it," said Mark VanStekelenberg, retired CEO of U.S. Foodservice.

The VanStekelenburgs, who sold a lakefront house at Reynolds Plantation for $2 million, understand the added costs. With country club dues, homeowners' fees, utilities, gardening and cleaning, they spend about $2,000 a month on their Sugarloaf home, excluding taxes and insurance.

And the extra square feet add extra heating, cooling, lighting and cleaning costs.

Diaz Foods CEO Rene Diaz, who lives in a $1.6 million Buckhead home, said home buying should always be approached from a pragmatic business perspective that applies unsentimental business fundamentals to cost factors.

Buyers should factor in the age of the home, he said —which may dictate extra costs for renovation — and whether it includes a swimming pool, which adds energy and maintenance costs.

And the level of care the home requires becomes more rigorous if the home is to maintain its seven-figure resale value, Diaz said.

For example, yard maintenance is likely to require a contract with a professional landscaping company rather than a handshake deal with a neighborhood kid.

"You're in a different league," Diaz said.