What we verified in “Home maintenance: how to budget for repairs”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. The CFPB's 'Your home loan toolkit' says that in most cases your lender considers only whether you are able to repay your mortgage, not whether you are comfortable repaying it; that you should think about whether you want to take on the payment plus the other costs of homeownership, such as appliances, repairs and maintenance; it suggests talking as a family about how much to budget for all monthly housing costs, including repairs, furniture and new appliances; and that what is left after housing and debts must cover utilities, groceries, childcare and health insurance, among other expenses.

   Sources 1 · Your home loan toolkit (last updated July 2026), section 1, p. 1: 'In most cases, your lender considers only if you are able to repay your mortgage, not whether you are comfortable repaying your loan'; 'the other costs of homeownership, such as appliances, repairs, and maintenance'; 'How much do we want to budget for all the monthly housing costs, including repairs, furniture, and new appliances'; p. 4: 'This money must cover your utilities, groceries, childcare, health insurance' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The CFPB's 'Your home loan toolkit', in its section for owners, says your mortgage payment is just one part of what it costs to live in your home; that the escrow account holds your tax and insurance payments, and without escrow you must keep up with them on your own; and that your home needs maintenance and repairs, so you should budget and save for these too.

   Sources 1 · Your home loan toolkit, section 3, p. 24: 'Your mortgage payment is just one part of what it costs to live in your new home'; 'if you have no escrow account, you need to keep up with these on your own'; 'Your home needs maintenance and repairs, so budget and save for these too' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. According to the CFPB, beyond the mortgage there may be costs for repairs and maintenance of your home; you should not sacrifice savings to buy a bigger house; consider adding more money to your emergency fund or household fund to avoid going into debt for sudden repairs, expensive replacements or other necessities; some home-related costs are likely to rise over time; and building codes and energy efficiency can also affect a home's utility and insurance costs.

   Sources 2 · How can I figure out if I can afford to buy a home and take out a mortgage? (last reviewed Jun 27, 2024): 'There may also be costs for repairs and maintenance of your home'; 'sacrifice savings in order to buy a bigger house'; 'Consider adding more money to your emergency fund or household fund to avoid going into debt to pay for sudden repairs, expensive replacements, or other necessities'; 'Some home-related costs are likely to rise over time'; 'Building codes and energy efficiency can also affect a home’s utility and insurance costs' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. According to the CFPB, an emergency fund is a cash reserve set aside for unplanned expenses or financial emergencies, such as car repairs, home repairs, medical bills or a loss of income; to set a goal, it suggests thinking about the most common unexpected expenses you have had and how much they cost; and it warns that if you use a credit card or a loan to pay for them, a one-time expense may grow significantly larger because of interest and fees.

   Sources 3 · An essential guide to building an emergency fund: 'An emergency fund is a cash reserve that’s specifically set aside for unplanned expenses or financial emergencies'; 'Some common examples include car repairs, home repairs, medical bills, or a loss of income'; 'Think about the most common kind of unexpected expenses you’ve had in the past and how much they cost'; 'your one-time emergency expense may grow significantly larger than your original bill because of interest and fees' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. The Texas Department of Insurance says most home policies cover damage from fire and lightning and from the sudden and accidental release of water or smoke, but do not cover damage from flooding, a continuous water leak, termites, insects, rats or mice, or wear and tear; that coverages vary by company, so read your policy or talk to your agent; and that a deductible is the part of a claim you must pay yourself.

   Sources 4 · Home insurance guide (last updated 6/1/2026), 'What risks does a home policy cover?': 'Coverages vary by company'; 'Read your policy or talk to your agent to be sure of your exact coverages'; 'Fire and lightning'; 'Sudden and accidental release of water or smoke'; 'Flooding'; 'A continuous water leak'; 'Termites, insects, rats, or mice'; 'Wear and tear'; 'A deductible is the amount of a claim that you must pay yourself' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. The EPA says the key to mold control is moisture control; that if mold is a problem in your home you should clean it up promptly and fix the water problem; that if wet or damp materials are dried within 24-48 hours after a leak or spill, in most cases mold will not grow; and it recommends fixing plumbing leaks as soon as possible, cleaning and repairing roof gutters regularly, making sure the ground slopes away from the foundation, keeping air conditioning drip pans clean and drain lines flowing, and keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent).

   Sources 5 · A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (last updated February 18, 2026): 'The key to mold control is moisture control'; 'you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem'; 'If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow'; 'Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible'; 'Clean and repair roof gutters regularly'; 'Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation'; 'Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly'; 'keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent)' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. The EPA says not to paint or caulk moldy surfaces but to clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting; and, if you hire someone to clean up mold, to make sure the contractor has experience with mold and to check references.

   Sources 5 · A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home: 'Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces'; 'Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting'; 'make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold'; 'Check references' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) says a smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all; test the alarm monthly; replace a 9-volt battery, or the backup battery in a hardwired alarm, at least once a year; replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years; never take the battery out while cooking; and some fire departments offer reduced-price or free smoke alarms, and some install them at no cost.

   Sources 6 · Smoke alarms: 'A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all'; 'Test the alarm monthly'; 'Replace the batteries at least once every year'; 'Replace the backup battery at least once every year'; 'Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years'; 'Never take the battery out of your smoke alarm while cooking'; 'Some fire departments offer reduced-price, or even free, smoke alarms'; 'Some fire departments will install battery-operated smoke alarms in your home at no cost' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. According to IRS Publication 530, a repair keeps your home in an ordinary, efficient operating condition but does not add to its value or prolong its life (for example repainting, fixing gutters or floors, fixing leaks and replacing broken window panes); you cannot deduct repair costs and generally cannot add them to your home's basis, except repairs done as part of an extensive remodeling or restoration, which count as improvements; an improvement materially adds to the value of your home, considerably prolongs its useful life or adapts it to new uses (for example another bathroom or bedroom, a fence, new plumbing or wiring, a new roof or paving the driveway), and its cost is added to your basis rather than deducted; your home's basis is generally what it cost and is your starting point for figuring a gain or loss if you sell; you should keep those records as long as they matter for figuring basis; and homeowners association fees and repairs to the home are among the payments you cannot deduct.

   Sources 7 · Publication 530 (for use in preparing 2025 returns), 'Repairs versus improvements': 'A repair keeps your home in an ordinary, efficient operating condition'; 'add to the value of your home or prolong its life'; 'Repairs include repainting your home inside or outside, fixing your gutters or floors, fixing leaks or plastering, and replacing broken window panes'; 'deduct repair costs and generally'; 'repairs that are done as part of an extensive remodeling or restoration of your home are considered improvements'; 'Improvements': 'An improvement materially adds to the value of your home, considerably prolongs its useful life, or adapts it to new uses'; 'You must add the cost of any improvements to the basis of your home'; 'installing a new roof, and paving your driveway'; 'is generally what it cost'; 'Basis is your starting point for figuring a gain or loss if you later sell your home'; 'Keep those records as long as they are important in figuring the basis'; 'Nondeductible payments': 'Homeowners association fees, condominium association fees, or common charges'; 'Repairs to home' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. According to IRS Publication 530, you cannot claim residential clean energy credits for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, or energy efficient home improvement credits for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025.

    Sources 7 · Publication 530, 'Termination of credits': 'claim residential clean energy credits for expenditures made after December 31, 2025'; 'claim energy efficient home improvement credits for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces energy costs for low-income households by making their homes more energy efficient while ensuring their health and safety; according to a national evaluation of the program, these households save on average $372 or more every year.

    Sources 8 · Weatherization Assistance Program: 'reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety'; 'these households save on average $372 or more every year according to a national evaluation of the program' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. According to the DOE, WAP is administered at the state and local level: to apply, you first identify your state weatherization administrator; under DOE guidelines, households at or below 200% of the poverty income guidelines or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are eligible, and each state may use LIHEAP's criterion of 60% of state median income; priority goes to the elderly, families with a member with a disability, families with children, high-energy users and households with a high energy burden; both homeowners and renters can apply; the local provider requires proof of income for the prior year, such as pay stubs or Social Security payments; eligible applicants are placed on a waitlist; an energy auditor then visits the home, runs a blower-door test to measure outside air coming in and recommends the most cost-effective energy conservation measures; and a provider's inspector reviews the finished work.

    Sources 9 · How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: 'is administered at the state and local level'; 'first identify your state weatherization administrator and reach out to them'; 'Households at or below 200% of the poverty income guidelines or that receive Supplemental Security Income are considered under DOE guidelines as eligible for weatherization services'; 'Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) eligibility criteria of 60% of state-median income'; 'Priority is given to the elderly, families with one or more members with a disability, families with children, high-energy users, or households with a high energy burden'; 'Both homeowners and renters are eligible to apply'; 'Your local provider will require your proof of income for the prior year, such as pay stubs or social security payments'; 'your name will be placed on a waitlist'; 'will schedule an energy auditor to visit your home'; 'a blower-door test to determine the infiltration of outside air into your house'; 'the most cost-effective energy conservation measures for your home'; 'inspector will review the work' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. According to the DOE's page on applying for WAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, provides short-term help to eligible low-income families to pay utility bills; the USDA's Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants provide loans to very low-income rural homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes, and grants to elderly very low-income homeowners to remove health or safety hazards; and it recommends checking with your state and local government for other energy assistance programs.

    Sources 9 · How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance, 'Learn More About Other Federal Low-Income Programs & Resources': 'provides short-term assistance to eligible low-income families to help pay utility bills'; 'provides loans to very low-income rural homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes'; 'grants to elderly very low-income homeowners to remove health or safety hazards'; 'Remember to check with your state and local government for energy assistance programs and resources' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. According to HUD, the Limited 203(k) mortgage lets homebuyers and homeowners finance up to $75,000 into their mortgage to repair, improve or upgrade their home; and the Standard 203(k) is for major rehabilitation and repair of single-family properties, with rehabilitation costs of at least $5,000, as long as the total value of the property stays within the area's FHA mortgage limit.

    Sources 10 · 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program Types: 'Permits homebuyers and homeowners to finance up to $75,000 into their mortgage to repair, improve, or upgrade their home'; 'Available to homebuyers and homeowners for the major rehabilitation and repair of single-family properties'; 'The cost of the rehabilitation must be at least $5,000 but the total value of the property must still fall within the FHA mortgage limit for the area' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. HUD's consumer fact sheet on the 203(k) program says it is available through FHA-approved lenders; that it lets you buy or refinance and combine the cost of renovations, repairs or remodeling into a single loan; that eligible improvements include energy efficient upgrades and accessibility for persons with disabilities; that home improvement loans often have high interest rates, short repayment terms or balloon payments; and that the program requires all building permits to be obtained before work begins.

    Sources 11 · Buying a House That Needs Rehabilitation or Renovating Your Home? (revised 11/4/2024): 'This program is available through FHA-approved lenders'; 'combining the cost of renovations, repairs, or remodeling'; 'Make energy efficient upgrades'; 'Create accessibility for persons with disabilities'; 'Home improvement loans often have'; 'high interest rates, short repayment terms, or balloon payments'; 'permits be obtained prior to commencement of work' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. HUD-approved housing counselors provide independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults and credit issues, often at little or no cost.

    Sources 12 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'Housing counselors throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'they can offer independent advice, often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 17, 2026