Matt Brannon is a data journalist for USA TODAY Homefront. His journalism background spans feature writing and investigative reporting, earning him awards from the California News Publishers Association. Matt implements data and trends in his articles on housing and personal finance. His data research has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CNBC and Business Insider. He holds a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Florida and resides in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Home prices and mortgage rates aren’t the only culprits contributing to the high cost of housing. Home maintenance costs present their own obstacles for homeowners, who report their expensive home appliances break down sooner than expected. Ninety-six percent of homeowners have repaired or replaced a major appliance, such as a dishwasher or HVAC system, in…
Buying a house is a big investment, and home maintenance costs linger long after closing. The research team at USA TODAY Homefront found that the typical homeowner spends almost $6,000 on maintenance and repairs each year. Of the 2,000 homeowners surveyed in May 2024, the majority (54%) spent more than planned on home maintenance, and…
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