Owning a home is a journey that begins the moment you turn the key and step through your front door, and for many, it’s a journey that lasts for decades, if not a lifetime. That’s why it makes sense to protect your investment, understanding that maintenance and repairs are simply part of the package.

Regular maintenance not only keeps your home in good condition but also makes it more comfortable for your family—and can go a long way toward avoiding expensive emergency repairs if a problem goes unaddressed.

But how much should you plan on budgeting for home maintenance costs during the first year? By now, you know that homeownership comes with a lot of questions, and we’re here to help you through those unknowns. Keep reading for a look at typical home maintenance expenses during the first year of homeownership.

What Goes Into Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance includes regular upkeep of anything that keeps your home comfortable, safe, energy-efficient, and in good repair. This typically involves a wide range of routine scheduled tasks like:

• Servicing your HVAC system
• Tackling plumbing issues like clogged drains and dripping faucets
• Maintaining your large appliances
• Trimming trees and other yard work

Home maintenance is about more than just keeping things looking nice. Tackling small issues before they become big problems helps you avoid costly repairs and serious damage down the road. By making routine chores a regular part of your schedule, you're not only protecting one of the biggest investments you'll ever make—you're also creating a safe, comfortable space where your family can truly feel at home.

Average Home Maintenance Expenses

How much you’ll spend on maintenance depends on a lot of variables, but there are some guidelines you can use to get a pretty good idea. Experts in the industry recommend planning on setting aside 1% to 4% of your home’s total cost each year for maintenance fees.

Though this is just an average and can vary based on the age of your home, its location, and other factors, this “1% rule” is a good benchmark. It’s reasonable, too, when you do the math. If your home is valued at $250,000, you’ll want to budget between $2,500 and $10,000 for regular upkeep and repairs over the first year.

You can divide the annual total by 12 to guesstimate your average home maintenance costs per month:

(Total home cost × 0.01) ÷ 12 = Average monthly home maintenance cost

Another way to calculate average home maintenance costs is the “square footage” rule. With this rule, you save one dollar for every square foot in your home. For example, if you live in a 2,500-square-foot house, saving $2,500 for one year for maintenance is a good rule of thumb.

That’s not bad for such a big investment!

Factors That Can Affect Home Maintenance Costs

Every home is different, and what it costs to maintain a new construction two-bedroom, one-bath single-level cottage won’t be the same for upkeep on a 3,000-square-foot home originally built in the 1910s. It’s all about the particulars, but here are some things you should consider when thinking about the average cost of maintenance on a house.

The age of your home

Older homes have character, but character isn’t always free. Owners of “vintage” homes can expect more frequent and costly repairs compared to the costs involved in maintaining a brand-new home.

Quality construction makes a difference, too. Choosing a new construction home from National HomeCorp significantly lowers your first-year maintenance costs and gives you less to worry about. Paired with the lowest prices per square foot in the industry, our new construction homes can save you even more in the long term.

Location, location, location

It’s the number one rule in real estate — where a home is located influences how much that home costs in terms of purchase price and maintenance costs. The climate around your home affects how much or how little maintenance you’ll be facing and how much that’s likely to cost. If you live in an area with a harsh winter climate, your maintenance costs may be higher during the cold, snowy season.

If you live in one of NHC’s Texas communities, you might spend a little more on cooling systems—but with some of the most affordable homes around, and no need for snow removal, you're still coming out ahead.

After the Housewarming: Budgeting Strategies for New Homeowners

While your actual numbers will vary, using that 1% to 4% guideline can help you set a realistic maintenance budget without being restrictive. Of course, you’ll face more housing maintenance costs in some years than others, but you will generally find your costs falling somewhere within that range.

Emergency funds shouldn’t be the kind of thing you wish you had thought of a year ago. A good rule of thumb is to save around three to six months’ worth of maintenance costs in case you need to unexpectedly replace a large appliance or pay for other pricey maintenance.

You can’t plan for every issue, but you can catch some small issues early with preventative maintenance. Regularly scheduled check-ups on your home’s HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems can prevent unhappy surprises and expensive repairs down the line.

The NHC Advantage: Lower Maintenance Costs Over the First Year

As a first-time homebuyer, having a good idea of what maintenance might cost can bring real peace of mind. It helps you feel more confident—and lets you focus on enjoying your new home as a place where your family can settle in and thrive.

NHC is your partner in achieving the lifestyle you want for you and your family. Stepping into a new construction NHC home means you’ll pay lower home maintenance costs in your first year and beyond. With NHC’s affordable pricing and quality construction, you can focus on what really matters—providing a comfortable and secure home for your family.

We want to make it easy for you to get into your dream home. With streamlined financing through NHC Mortgage, you can start your homeownership journey with the confidence of knowing you’re supported by America’s Affordable Builder.

Ready to take the next step? Explore financing options with NHC Mortgage and see how National Home Corp can make your dream home a reality.