Hidden costs of SD homes are nation's third highest

Hidden yearly costs of home ownership in San Diego County are the third highest among the 30 largest metropolitan areas in the United States, according to Zillow.

These hidden costs include overlooked expenses such as property taxes, insurance, and utilities. (San Diego Gas & Electric has among the highest, or the highest, electricity charges in the nation.) Then there are maintenance costs such as carpet cleaning, air conditioning, gutter maintenance and the like.

All told, San Diego County's $13,488 overlooked and maintenance costs are topped only by San Francisco ($16,290) and Boston ($14,397.) The U.S. average is $9,080.