[bachmeier]

> In the first couple of years I remember getting so irritated by all the time it took to take care of the house and yard.

It's always been a problem for me. My work keeps me so busy (that's how I can afford the house) and much of the limited free time I have goes to my son's activities. The only thing that allows me to get it done is that my son is old enough to help me.

> I don't think I've had a single year where I didn't have to spend 10K on maintenance.

I kept hearing $150-200 a month for maintenance before I bought my house. That was just a bit on the low side. I had one year where I paid 20K for maintenance on a house less than 20 years old. There's always something, and if you postpone your maintenance (when it's even possible) you're going to have to find a way to catch up in the future.

[throwaway0a5e]

Maintenance and upkeep costs are so noisy. Free CL push mower and $100 weed whacker is being compared to professional landscape service. Quotes from professionals are all over the place. I've never spent more than ~$500 at a time maintaining my house but there's nothing I wouldn't DIY.