How are new home setup decisions being shaped by the current improvement cycle, in which 66% of U.S. homeowners report spending more than $1,000 on repairs and upgrades, contributing to an estimated $84 billion in aggregate outlay, while the share spending over $10,000 has doubled from 5% to 10% versus an average year? With 2.7% inflation as of Nov 2025, early budgeting for essentials can prevent surprise costs.
For many households, initial move-in planning is now framed as a portfolio of capital projects, with 54% having made property improvements since the pandemic began and outdoor space, particularly the backyard, ranking as the most targeted area.
Space allocation has shifted alongside remote work normalization. Spending on office equipment, including desks, upgraded WiFi, and video-conferencing gear, was reported by 52%, and 35% directed funds to living room décor such as lighting, furniture, and bookshelves, while millennials were noted as the cohort most likely to prioritize work-from-home setups.
Parallel demand for structured fitness and utility zones is reflected in the emergence of the home gym as a priority improvement spot and in buyer interest in detached garages that accommodate equipment and additional vehicles, especially where winter conditions reward enclosed storage.
Operational readiness remains uneven despite elevated activity levels. Although 76% described becoming more proactive in home care over the past year, 68% still lacked an annual home maintenance checklist, despite HUD recommendations that routine scheduling reduces injury risk, illness incidence, and allergen exposure.
Repair incidence concentrates in building systems, with plumbing at 15.1%, heating at 13.2%, and electrical at 12.4%, and post-improvement administrative alignment appears incomplete, as only 40% updated insurance after significant changes, with millennials comprising 55% of those who did.
As households add connected devices during move-in, bundling a recurring support plan at installation can improve long-term service reliability and reduce costly follow-up issues.
Market-facing setup choices increasingly incorporate efficiency signaling. Buyers prioritize heating and cooling costs, windows, doors, siding performance, efficient lighting, and appliance standards; in winter markets, a paved driveway is cited as a competitiveness enhancer.
Regional execution varies, with the Northeast reporting 57% completing most home care tasks, followed by the West at 53%, South at 51%, and Midwest at 48%, indicating different baselines for property condition management and contractor throughput.
Smart home adoption reached 44.6% last year.
