Budget Smart: 1–4% Rule for Texas Homeowners
Budget Tips • Sep 25, 2025
Texas Homeowners: Avoid Maintenance Shortfalls Before They Cost You
Owning a home in Texas isn’t just about the mortgage—it’s about keeping your property resilient against sun, hail, heat, and shifting soil. Bankrate recommends setting aside 1–4% of your home’s value annually for maintenance. Many Texans fall short, leaving themselves exposed to expensive surprises.
Why Texas Demands a Bigger Budget
- Hail-heavy state: Texas leads the nation in major hail events, impacting roofs, siding, and windows.
- Summer heat stress: Long, hot seasons push HVAC systems hard and shorten equipment life.
- Expansive clay soils: Foundation movement and slab stress are common, especially during wet-dry cycles.
With these factors, the higher end of Bankrate’s 1–4% rule often makes sense.
Texas-Smart Maintenance Strategies
- Pick your percentage and calendar it. Use 1% for new, small homes; 2–4% for older, larger, or hail-exposed homes. Park money monthly to avoid cash-flow shocks.
- Allocate by risk area. Roof/exterior, HVAC, foundation/drainage—assign dollars based on local Texas risks.
- Service systems proactively. Spring/fall HVAC checkups, filter changes, and routine inspections reduce emergency repairs.
- Track actual spending vs. estimates. Adjust the next year’s budget to reflect reality.
- Separate maintenance from improvements. Prioritize gutters, caulking, grading, pest control, and minor repairs before splurging on upgrades.
Quick Texas Maintenance Calculator
- Home value: ~$304,000
- 1% → $253/month, 2% → $507/month
- 3% → $760/month, 4% → $1,013/month
Use this to guide monthly savings for predictable upkeep.
Pro Tips for Savings and Protection
- Schedule roof inspections after storms.
- Keep gutters and drainage functional to prevent slab movement.
- Invest in energy-efficient HVAC servicing to reduce utility bills.
Bottom Line
Under-budgeting maintenance is a common cause of regret for Texas homeowners. Start with 1–4% of your home’s value, track your actual spending, and adjust for storms, heat, and soil risks.
Under-budgeting maintenance is a common cause of regret for Texas homeowners. Start with 1–4% of your home’s value, track your actual spending, and adjust for storms, heat, and soil risks.
Need help planning or executing maintenance? Ask a vetted expert at letsaskjack.com, then find licensed Texas pros on TradeCrews to keep your property protected year-round.