What Should Homeowners Know About Maintaining and Protecting Their Home Long Term?

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. But here’s something that surprises a lot of homeowners. Most buyers are never taught what it really takes to maintain a home after the keys are handed over. In fact, many homeowners receive little (if any) guidance from their real estate advisor about the ongoing costs of ownership, how to plan for repairs, or how to protect their investment over the long term. And what happens? They live in the home for 10, 15, even 20 years… doing minimal upkeep… and then discover the reality of deferred maintenance when they decide to sell. At that point, the cost to prepare the home for the market can be shocking, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars. The good news is this is preventable.

Here are 5 things every homeowner should know to avoid major surprises and protect the value of their home:

1. Budget for an Annual Maintenance Fund:
One of the most common rules of thumb in homeownership is to set aside 1% of your home’s value each year for maintenance and unexpected repairs.

For example: A home valued at $1,500,000 should have an annual maintenance budget of approximately $15,000. That number may sound high at first, but when you factor in roofing, plumbing, appliances, exterior repairs, and general wear and tear, it adds up quickly. A smart strategy is to set up an automatic monthly transfer into a dedicated “home maintenance” savings account (sometimes called a sinking fund). That way, when repairs come up — and they always do — you’re financially prepared.

2. Prioritize Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is almost always cheaper than emergency repairs.

Simple tasks like:
- changing HVAC filters every few months cleaning gutters twice a year
- sealing windows and doors
- checking for leaks and drainage issues …can prevent small issues from becoming expensive ones. One great habit is to keep a basic log of what you’ve serviced and when. Not only does this help you stay organized, but it also becomes a valuable selling point later when you can show buyers the home has been well maintained.

3. Know the Difference Between Maintenance and Improvements
This is an important one, because many homeowners lump everything into one category.
But there’s a big difference between maintenance and improvements:
- Maintenance protects what already exists (fixing a leaky faucet, servicing the HVAC, repairing dry rot, replacing worn caulking)
- Improvements add value or functionality (remodeling a kitchen, updating landscaping, upgrading flooring).

Both are important, but maintenance should always come first. A remodeled kitchen won’t matter much if the roof is failing or the plumbing has issues. The best homeowners budget separately for both.

4. Plan Ahead for Major Replacements
Every major home system has a lifespan. Even if things are working fine today, it’s wise to know what may be coming down the road. Here are a few common timelines:
- Roof replacement: 20–30 years
- Water heater: 8–12 years
- HVAC system: 10–15 years
- Appliances: 8–15 years depending on type and use
These are not small expenses. Planning ahead allows homeowners to avoid panic repairs and make smart decisions before something breaks at the worst possible time.

5. Know When to Hire a Professional
There are plenty of things homeowners can handle themselves. But some work should always be done by licensed professionals — especially anything involving:
- electrical
- plumbing
- roofing
- structural repairs

DIY can be great, but attempting complex repairs without proper training can be dangerous and may lead to bigger damage (and bigger costs) later. When in doubt, hiring the right expert is usually the best investment.

What should homeowners know about maintaining their home?
Homeowners should budget annually for maintenance, prioritize preventative care, understand the difference between repairs and improvements, plan for major system replacements, and hire licensed professionals when necessary. Proactive planning helps prevent costly surprises and protects long-term property value.