Nationwide Survey: Unexpected Home Costs Add Up as Homeowners Rethink How Long They'll Stay
Key Highlights
- ➤40% now believe their current home will be their forever home
- ➤38% would move if market conditions were more favorable
- ➤64% have made or plan long-term home modifications
- ➤81% want free insurer-provided hazard-monitoring devices
- ➤44% of agents cite unexpected costs as clients’ biggest surprise
Expert Statements
Helen Simonett, Vice President of Personal Property Lines at Nationwide
“Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions people make, but the purchase price is only part of what that home will ultimately cost”
Helen Simonett, Vice President of Personal Property Lines at Nationwide
“Understanding the age and condition of major systems, the repairs that may be coming and the ongoing expenses associated with the property can help buyers get a more realistic picture of what homeownership may cost over time.”
Helen Simonett, Vice President of Personal Property Lines at Nationwide
“Homeowners who thought they would move after a few years may now be looking at their homes very differently”
Helen Simonett, Vice President of Personal Property Lines at Nationwide
“If you’re going to stay longer than planned, it becomes even more important to understand what parts of the home may need attention over the next several years and take steps now to help prevent avoidable damage.”
Helen Simonett, Vice President of Personal Property Lines at Nationwide
“Some insurance providers, such as Nationwide, are helping homeowners proactively monitor for potential hazards by offering devices like LeakBot for water leak detection and Ting for electrical fire protection services — often at no additional cost to eligible home policyholders”
Helen Simonett, Vice President of Personal Property Lines at Nationwide
“These tools make it easier to identify problems early and help prevent damage and potentially dangerous situations.”
Nationwide Survey: Unexpected Home Costs Add Up as Homeowners Rethink How Long They'll Stay PR Newswire
* Homeowners wish they had asked more about future repairs and aging home systems before buying, while insurance agents say unexpected costs are among the biggest surprises after closing. * Two in five homeowners (40%) say they did not expect their current home to be their forever home when they bought it but now believe it will be; 38% would move if market conditions were more favorable. * While adoption remains limited, 81% of homeowners say they would be interested in smart devices or sensors that monitor water, plumbing systems or electrical fire hazards if their insurer provided them for free. COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For many Americans, the true cost of homeownership does not become clear until after closing. New research from Nationwide finds that unexpected expenses and repairs can catch homeowners off guard, while many are staying in homes they originally expected to leave.
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