Your mortgage isn't the whole story. Every home quietly spends money each year keeping its roof, furnace, plumbing, and wiring alive. Here's a realistic yearly budget — and where it goes.
A rough split of ongoing upkeep across a home's major systems. Tap any one to learn what it costs and how to spot trouble before you buy.
| System | Est. share | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Roof & exterior envelope | 20% | $0 |
| Heating & cooling | 18% | $0 |
| Structure & drainage | 15% | $0 |
| Plumbing & water | 12% | $0 |
| Windows & doors | 10% | $0 |
| Electrical | 8% | $0 |
| Interior & general upkeep | 17% | $0 |
We start from the common 1%-to-4%-of-value guideline, then adjust for age — newer homes near the bottom, older homes with original systems near the top — and for the size and condition you select. It's a planning number, not a prediction; the point is to budget so a big repair is an inconvenience, not a crisis.
Before you buy, Casaroo reads any listing and flags the systems closest to a costly replacement — so the maintenance number doesn't blindside you.
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