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Home Maintenance Planner

Reserve like a landlord. Sleep like a homeowner.

Get a monthly reserve target and a personalized maintenance checklist based on your home's age, climate, and features. No surprise bills.

$333

monthly reserve

$4,000/yr

Your home

Reserve summary

Monthly

$333

Annual

$4,000

1% rule baseline

$4,000

Big-ticket reserve

$1,550

Maintenance checklist

  • HVAC service (spring + fall)

    2×/year

    ~$250
  • Gutter cleaning

    2×/year

    ~$200
  • Water heater flush

    1×/year

    ~$100
  • Chimney inspection

    1×/year

    ~$200
  • Pest/termite inspection

    1×/year

    ~$150
  • Deep clean carpets & upholstery

    1×/year

    ~$300
  • Dryer vent cleaning

    1×/year

    ~$150
  • Roof inspection

    1×/year

    ~$200
  • Reserve for HVAC replacement

    every 15 yrs

    ~$800
  • Reserve for roof replacement

    every 25 yrs

    ~$600
  • Reserve for water heater

    every 10 yrs

    ~$150

Freedom Coach™

Set aside ~$333/mo ($4,000/yr) for maintenance.

Temperate climate × midcentury home = 1.00× the 1% baseline. The classic 1% rule alone would be $4,000/yr.

  • Open a separate high-yield savings account labeled "Home Reserve" — treat it like a bill.
  • Front-load in the first 3 years — new owners systematically under-spend on maintenance.
  • Photograph every serial number on appliances/HVAC — cuts warranty claims from hours to minutes.

Premium

Save scenarios & unlock all tools

Save maintenance plans per property and adjust as your home ages.

Unlock Premium

Frequently asked questions

How much should I save for home maintenance?

Baseline is the 1% rule — 1% of home value per year. Adjust up for older homes and harsh climates. A $400K home in a cold or coastal zone often needs 1.3–1.5%.

What does the 1% rule actually cover?

It's a reserve for both routine upkeep (HVAC service, gutters, dryer vent) AND big-ticket replacements (roof, HVAC, water heater) over their lifespan.

New home vs. old home maintenance costs?

New builds run 20–30% under baseline for the first 5 years. Homes 40+ years old typically run 30% over baseline as major systems reach end-of-life.

Which maintenance tasks are worth DIY?

Furnace filter changes, gutter cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, faucet aerators. Skip DIY on gas appliance servicing, chimney work, and electrical panel work.

What's the biggest maintenance mistake?

Skipping the reserve fund. Most homeowners can absorb $500 surprises but blow their emergency fund on a $8,000 HVAC. Reserve monthly, not reactively.

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