The fixer-upper facts

OWNERS SPEND TIME OR MONEY ON MAINTENANCE

The dream of homeownership can overshadow the less appealing realities: Walls that beg for fresh paint, a lawn needing mowing, the faucet that drips.

“Everything in the house will either wear out, or need some TLC,” says Frank Lesh, executive director of the American Society of Home Inspectors.

Experts say buyers often neglect to consider the total time or expense maintenance requires.

Here is a look at some recent studies providing insight into upkeep realities:

1. Certain projects are popular among DIYers

As the population ages, the overall numbers of owners tackling projects themselves has been declining, says Ed Hudson, director of the Home Innovation Research Labs. But “households with children are substantially more likely to undertake DIY.”

In his latest stats, Hudson says 69 percent of owners will do their own interior painting, 58 percent will install appliances and deck and porch rails, and 50 percent will put up fences themselves.

Other projects, such as roofing, are attempted by only 18 percent, while 38 percent install cabinets on their own.

2. A minority of owners pay for ongoing maintenance

A recent Bankrate. com report finds that 29 percent of owners pay an average of $55 monthly for trash/recycling services. That’s followed by 27 percent who average $144 for landscaping monthly. Other services, used by less than 20 percent, include snow removal ($84 monthly) and pool care ($123).

3. Bigger, pricier homes tied to higher expenditures

An oft-cited rule of thumb is to expect maintenance costs to annually average about 1 percent of the value of your home. That’s average, some years more, some less.

Kermit Baker of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, says, “I’ve heard the 1 percent rule, but I’m not sure if that figure is intended to include improvements (like installing new, upgraded flooring) or just maintenance. However, it’s often difficult to draw a clear distinction between these categories.”