What to Expect After You Buy a Home: Repairs, Timelines & Reality Checks

You’ve toured the open houses, hit the winning bid, and finally have keys in hand. Congratulations, you officially own a home! Now what?

One of the biggest surprises for new homeowners isn’t just the mortgage payment (this ABSOLUTELY applies to first time and multiple time home buyers!) . It’s the repairs and upkeep that start to crop up after you’ve moved in, sometimes immediately after move-in. Even with a solid home inspection, most buyers discover that homeownership comes with a to-do list. That’s totally normal and inescapable, but knowing what to anticipate can make the transition easier, less frustrating and a lot less stressful.

Side bar for a moment: The home buying process isn’t fair. In a competitive market you have no time to inhale and exhale before you need to make an offer that has no contingencies and has all inspections waived. It takes me longer to decide to buy a new pair of overpriced shoes!

Here’s what to expect, what typically needs attention, and what to budget for.

Inspections Are Helpful, But Not a Guarantee

During escrow, you likely had a home inspection (Note: In competitive markets you might have just said, I’ll take what comes to get the property!). It’s an important step. Inspectors give you a broad overview of the home’s condition and may flag serious issues. But their evaluations are visual and non-invasive. They don’t open walls or ceilings, and often use cautious language like:

“Roof appears near end of useful life.”
“Windows are functioning but of older construction.”

Translation? These items aren’t broken yet, but they’re nearing the end of their lifespan—and you’ll likely be the one to replace them.

Most Homes Are a Mix of Old and New

Whether you bought a charming mid-century bungalow, a ’90s ranch or a property built in the last 10 years, most homes have components that age out over time. Here’s a cheat sheet of common elements and how long they typically last:

Item	Typical Lifespan	What That Means for You
Roof	20–30 years	If it’s already 20+ years old, start budgeting for a replacement.
Windows	~20 years	Single-pane or drafty? New dual-pane windows can boost comfort and efficiency.
Exterior Paint	8–10 years	Sun, rain, and wind take a toll. Touch-ups at year 5 help extend life.
Interior Paint	5–7 years	High-traffic areas may need freshening sooner.
Flooring	10–15 years	Pets, kids, and daily life all accelerate wear.
Water Heater	8–12 years	An aging tank can fail suddenly. Know the age and plan ahead.
HVAC	15–20 years	Annual servicing helps avoid breakdowns and keeps efficiency high. In some parts of California A/C isn’t installed but ask or look for the lifespace of the furnace.
Plumbing	Up to 50 years	Galvanized pipes? You may be looking at replacement sooner. Speaking from experience, a kitchen drain that kept backing up on a house that was built in the 50s = new pipe needing to be run & a fix to the sewer lateral.
Faucets/Toilets	5–10 years	Leaky fixtures are common and usually an easy fix.
Chimneys	Clean every 5 years	Older brick chimneys may need structural attention.
Concrete (driveway/walkways)	25–30 years	Cracks and settling are normal but can become safety issues.

 

Planning Makes a Huge Difference

Moving from renting to owning is a shift especially when it comes to repairs. There’s no landlord to call when the water heater gives out (yes, I miss my NYC days of what I considered essentially assisted living with a doorman and onsite maintenance!). That’s why it’s smart to set aside a maintenance budget from the beginning.

A general rule? Budget 1%–3% of your home’s value each year for upkeep and repairs.

• Yes, this is an average. So, if you live fancier, having say theater, water features and sauna repairs, this budget will need to increase.

That might sound like a lot (especially right after a big down payment!), but spacing it out over time makes it manageable. And the good news is, not everything will break at once. Most repairs give you warning signs before they become urgent—if you’re paying attention.

Final Thoughts: Real Estate is a Long Game

Buying a home is a major financial move. Over time, appreciation typically offsets the cost of maintenance—and you’re building equity (don’t forget this!), not just writing rent checks.

But like anything worth having, it takes care. Homes are living, breathing things and the more you know about their needs, the more confident and comfortable you’ll feel. Much like humans, think preventative! Preventative inspections and maintenance matter.

So yes, expect to fix things. Expect to replace things. But also expect that with some planning and perspective, you’ll grow into your home just as it grows into you. And, yes, if you have just taken possession of your new home and there are immediate issues (within reason), don’t get too frustrated, what might be causing you an issue was never an issue for the seller… again, a reminder, that homes live and breathe, and have health issues that come up with no warning.

If you’d like help decoding inspection reports, budgeting for upgrades, or planning smart moves around timing and resale value—I’d love to help.