The Recent Homebuyer Reality Check:
Buying a home is a big milestone. But for many recent homebuyers, the real work starts after move-in day.
Jobber surveyed 800 Americans who purchased a single-family home within the last two years to understand what modern homeownership looks like once the keys are handed over.
The findings show that while homeowners remain happy with their decision to buy, many underestimated what homeownership would actually require. While most expected repairs, maintenance, and ongoing costs at some point, the research reveals how quickly those realities arrived and how unprepared many homeowners felt to manage them.
The research also reveals notable differences across generations, highlighting how today’s homeowners are managing these challenges in different ways.
Those experiences are changing what homeowners expect from the businesses they hire. As maintenance needs surface, homeowners are looking for more than someone who can complete the work. They want clear communication, transparent pricing, fast responses, and confidence that they’re making the right decision.
For home service businesses, that creates a clear opportunity. The businesses that earn trust early can become the ones homeowners call for years to come.
Key findings
- Optimism is high, with 93% of respondents saying they’re glad they purchased their home.
- 86% described their home as move-in ready at closing, but 58% uncovered unexpected repair needs after moving in.
- 72% of homeowners spent upwards of $10,000 on unexpected repairs or maintenance within their first two years.
- 60% say homeownership has been more expensive than expected.
- 64% of Gen Z respondents say homeownership has been more stressful than expected.
- Millennials were most likely to uncover unexpected repair needs after moving in, with 69% reporting surprise repairs.
- 75% hired a home service professional within two years of purchasing a home.
- 42% say clear upfront pricing and a written estimate were the most important things they wanted before hiring a service professional.
How often does “move-in ready” fall short?
Most homebuyers understand that every home will eventually require repairs and maintenance. What has been less clear is how often those needs emerge shortly after move-in. Jobber’s research quantifies the gap between what buyers expected and what they experienced.
What the data shows
While 86% of homeowners described their home as move-in ready at closing, 58% uncovered unexpected repairs after moving in.
In fact, only 31% included an emergency repair fund in their budget before purchasing a home, suggesting many homeowners were well prepared for the costs of buying a home, but less prepared for the costs of maintaining one.
When you first moved into your current single-family home, how would you describe its condition?
Younger homeowners experienced the biggest gaps
Maintenance issues affected homeowners across every generation, but younger buyers were more likely to encounter surprises shortly after moving in.
Millennials led all generations in repair surprises.
- 69% uncovered unexpected repair needs after moving in.
- 44% were surprised by the condition of major systems such as HVAC, plumbing, roofing, or electrical.
Gen Z homeowners faced similar challenges:
- 61% discovered unexpected repair needs after moving in.
- Only 39% budgeted for ongoing maintenance costs before purchasing a home.
These findings show that younger homeowners were more likely to encounter repair projects and less likely to budget for ongoing maintenance costs.
I was looking for a house on the south shore of Massachusetts with my husband. We thought we’d found a great fixer-upper until the inspection uncovered nearly $100,000 in additional repairs. It was a reminder that what’s labeled ‘move-in ready’ doesn’t always tell the full story. That inspection ended up being the best money we ever spent.”
Home service insight: The first call can become a customer for life
Unexpected repairs often create a homeowner’s first urgent need for a trusted service professional. Businesses that deliver a reliable experience from the first interaction have an opportunity to earn repeat work, referrals, and long-term customer loyalty.
LISTEN FOR MORE: Creating a Lifelong Customer from the First Sales Call
How much harder is homeownership for younger buyers?
Gen Z homeowners remain optimistic about homeownership, but they are navigating a steeper learning curve than any other generation.
What the data shows 64% of Gen Z homeowners and 67% of Millennial homeowners said that homeownership has been more stressful than expected.That’s double the rate reported by Baby Boomers.
Based on your current home purchase experience so far, do you agree that homeownership has been more stressful than expected?
A generation learning in real time
The idea that younger homeowners face a steeper adjustment isn’t new. What this research provides is a clearer picture of how that adjustment shows up in practice.
While 95% say they’re glad they purchased their home, many entered homeownership after making significant compromises:
- 93% made concessions to buy the home they wanted.
- 30% stretched their budget.
- 10% waived contingencies.
At the same time, many were encountering the realities of homeownership for the first time. Earlier findings showed that 61% uncovered unexpected repair needs after moving in, while only 39% budgeted for ongoing maintenance costs before purchasing.
Taken together, these findings show Gen Z homeowners were more likely to encounter unexpected repair needs and less likely to budget for ongoing maintenance costs before purchasing a home.
Confidence comes with experience
Despite the challenges, nine in ten Gen Z homeowners say they feel more confident managing their home today than when they first moved in.
As they gain experience, many are learning how to prioritize repairs, budget for maintenance, and build relationships with trusted service providers.
My wife and I recently bought our first house together, and we had plans to paint the interior and replace a few drawer handles right away, mostly cosmetic things. Those quickly fell farther down our to-do list as more important tasks, like pest control and an exterior drainage issue, surfaced.
We love our house and are happy we bought a new build with a warranty, but even so, unexpected projects still come up. Within the first year, we became much more confident vetting service pros who tackled the tasks we couldn’t take on.
Home service insight: Younger homeowners are worth earning early
For service providers, Gen Z represents more than a demographic trend. Many are building relationships with home service professionals for the first time.
Without an established network of contractors or maintenance providers, they often evaluate businesses based on responsiveness and overall customer experience as much as on technical expertise.
LISTEN FOR MORE: How to Deliver Luxury-Level Service (Without Luxury Prices)
How expensive are the surprises?
Most homeowners expect homeownership to cost more than the purchase price alone. What has been less clear is how much those additional costs add up during the first years of ownership. Jobber’s research quantifies the financial impact of unexpected repairs, maintenance, and ongoing upkeep.
What the data shows 72% of homeowners spent upwards of $10,000 on unexpected repairs or maintenance within their first two years.
For many homebuyers, the biggest financial surprises came from the cost of maintaining their home. In fact, 60% say homeownership has cost more than expected.
Only 31% included an emergency repair fund in their budget before purchasing, and 45% say they would advise future homebuyers to budget more than they think they’ll need.
Approximately how much have you spent so far on unexpected repairs and maintenance?
Unexpected costs hit younger homeowners harder
Unexpected expenses affected homeowners across all generations, but younger homeowners were more likely to report feeling the financial impact.
Gen Z reported the greatest cost shock:
- 63% say homeownership has been more expensive than anticipated.
- 44% spent between $5,000 and $9,999 on unexpected repairs or maintenance.
The data shows younger homeowners were significantly more likely to report higher-than-expected costs and substantial unexpected repair spending during their first years of ownership.
Whether it’s a leaking pipe, a failing HVAC system, or an urgent repair that can’t be delayed, unexpected costs often require immediate decisions and can quickly strain household budgets.
Our home was built in the 1980s and had never been renovated. Just a few months after moving in, I heard water dripping from our upstairs bathtub. A small drip turned into a major plumbing repair just months after we moved in.
It was a stressful and expensive lesson that the purchase price is only the beginning. Unexpected repair bills can show up when you least expect them.
Helping homebuyers move forward with certainty
When homeowners are facing an unexpected repair, they’re often making a financial decision under pressure.
They want to know:
- Is this repair really necessary?
- How urgent is it?
- Is this a fair price?
- What happens if I wait?
Home service insight: Make the decision easier
Customers don’t just hire service providers to complete a job. They hire them to help navigate a problem. Businesses that can identify concerns, ask the right questions, explain solutions clearly, and set realistic expectations often stand out before any work begins.
LISTEN FOR MORE: What to Do When Customers Say “You’re Too Expensive”
How do homeowners decide who to trust?
Most homeowners expect they’ll eventually need to hire a service professional. What’s less clear is how they decide who to trust when that moment arrives. Jobber’s research reveals where recent homebuyers look for providers, what builds confidence during the hiring process, and why some businesses earn repeat business while others don’t.
What the data shows 75% of homeowners hired a home service professional within two years of purchasing their home.
Respondents also reported challenges during the hiring process:
- 15% had to follow up with a service provider repeatedly.
- 9% never received a response at all.
When homeowners are already managing repairs, projects, and competing priorities, a lack of communication can quickly erode trust.
HOME SERVICE TRENDS: How homeowner expectations are changing
While every generation values trust, they don’t always build it the same way.
Younger homebuyers are more likely to discover service providers through digital channels, while older generations continue to rely heavily on referrals and established relationships.
Gen Z homeowners discover service providers through:
- Google or another search engine (34%)
- Referrals from friends, family, or neighbors (31%)
- Social media (23%)
Millennials take a digital-first approach.
- 40% discover service providers through social media
- 34% rely on referrals
- 33% use Google or another search engine
For Gen X and Baby Boomers, referrals remain the most common path to finding a service provider.
How did you find the home service professional/s you hired?
READ MORE: 10 Customer Referral Program Ideas for Service Businesses
No matter where recent homebuyers begin their search, they’re ultimately looking for the same thing: confidence that they’re hiring the right person for the job.
Clear pricing builds confidence
Before a homeowner schedules a visit or approves a quote, they’re evaluating whether a business feels trustworthy.
Across generations, responsiveness emerged as one of the strongest drivers of trust. Recent homebuyers also value transparency. In fact, 42% say the single most important thing they wanted before hiring a service professional was clear, upfront pricing or a written estimate.
A quick response, clear communication, and a professional first impression can shape how a homeowner evaluates a business long before any work begins.
After an extensive and sometimes heartbreaking hunt, we found a 1923 Cape Cod-style home near where I grew up that we fell in love with instantly. We were lucky to have trusted referrals to help us find contractors, because there was much more work than we expected.
As a first-time homeowner, figuring out who to trust and who to hire felt almost as overwhelming as buying the house itself.
For many recent homebuyers, trust is earned before work begins
Many recent homebuyers are building their network of service professionals from scratch. Before they compare workmanship or long-term value, they’re looking for signs that a business is responsive, professional, and easy to work with.
Businesses that are easy to find, quick to respond, and transparent about pricing have an opportunity to become a homeowner’s first call for future repairs and maintenance.
Home service insight: Turn reviews into more booked jobs
Online reviews do more than build credibility. They help homeowners find you, evaluate your reputation, and decide whether to reach out in the first place. A steady stream of positive reviews can increase visibility, build trust, and help convert interest into booked work.
How much does homeownership affect everyday life?
Most homeowners understand that owning a home comes with responsibilities. What has been harder to quantify is the emotional impact those demands can have during the first years of ownership.
What the data shows 36% of homeowners say homeownership-related costs have kept them up at night while another 36% say homeownership has affected their personal relationships.
Which of the following statements do you agree or disagree with based on your current home purchase experience so far?
These findings suggest that the challenges of homeownership extend beyond repair bills and maintenance costs. For many homeowners, the ongoing responsibility of managing a home requires more time, attention, and decision-making than they originally anticipated.
Younger homeowners are carrying a heavier load
Recent homebuyers across every generation reported challenges, but younger homeowners were more likely to feel stretched by the demands of ownership.
Millennials underestimated the time commitment:
- 75% underestimated how long home projects would take.
- 46% questioned their decision to buy at some point during the first two years of ownership.
Gen Z homeowners also reported spending more time on home projects than expected:
- 71% spent more time on projects than expected
The challenge isn’t necessarily the work itself. It’s learning how to balance repairs, maintenance, finances, and everyday responsibilities all at once.
Home service insight: Clear communication is a must
For many homeowners, the stress of ownership comes from managing unexpected repairs, costs, and projects. Service providers who explain next steps, provide updates, and keep customers informed throughout the job can help reduce uncertainty and make home maintenance feel more manageable.
LISTEN FOR MORE: Why Project Transparency Matters Now More Than Ever
The first two years redefine homeownership
The first years of homeownership are often portrayed as a milestone. For many buyers, they’re also a period of adjustment.
The recent homebuyers in this study remain overwhelmingly positive about their decision to buy. Yet their experiences reveal a reality that receives far less attention than the homebuying process itself: owning a home requires ongoing decisions, investments, and responsibilities that continue long after move-in day.
Whether managing an unexpected repair, evaluating a service provider, or balancing competing priorities, homeowners are learning what it takes to care for one of their most important investments in real time.
Along the way, they’re also redefining what great service looks like.
Homeowners want professionals who communicate clearly, respond quickly, provide transparent pricing, and help them make informed decisions with confidence. The businesses that deliver those experiences are more likely to earn trust, repeat business, and long-term customer relationships.
For home service businesses, that’s the opportunity.
The first years of homeownership are often when homeowners establish the relationships they’ll rely on for years to come. The businesses that show up early, provide clarity, and create confidence can become trusted partners throughout the homeownership journey.
As the next generation of homeowners enters the market, the businesses that succeed won’t simply be the ones that complete the work. They’ll be the ones that make homeownership feel a little easier.
Methodology
The Recent Homebuyer Reality Check is based on a Jobber-commissioned survey conducted by Coleman Parkes in May 2026 among 800 U.S. homeowners who purchased a single-family home within the previous two years.
The study included equal representation from Gen Z (18–29), Millennials (30–45), Gen X (46–61), and Baby Boomers (62+) to provide a comprehensive view of the modern homeownership experience across generations.
Survey respondents were asked about their homebuying journey, maintenance and repair experiences, budgeting practices, homeownership expectations, hiring behaviors, and interactions with home service professionals.
The findings explore how homeowners experience the first two years of ownership and how those experiences influence their expectations of the businesses they hire.
The survey’s margin of error is ±3 percentage points at the 90% confidence level.
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