Once the thrill of becoming a homeowner wears off, reality sets in. Your home is likely to be the biggest single investment you’ll make in your lifetime. If you want to preserve its value over time, that means doing regular maintenance. Know what to expect Mortgage finance company Freddie Mac has a useful checklist to help you plan for regular upkeep, and you should also expect periodically to do larger home improvement projects like replacing the roof. Keep a budget Predicting maintenance costs is tricky, but some experts suggest setting an annual budget of 1% to 4% of your home’s value for these expenses.