Landscaping is often well worth the cost, too. An overall landscape upgrade or even smaller projects like yard maintenance or lawn service can pay for themselves upon sale of the house.

Once you've considered maintenance, seasonality and style, it's time to hammer out a budget that will reflect the real-life ...

Several factors contribute to rising home maintenance costs. “Inflation has increased ... maintain your home's appearance and health by attending to landscaping and finishes,” Erb says.