Maintenance costs from experienced investors

[Nick Smith]

I have a few new properties and am looking into buying more but want to know from people that have been doing this for 5, 10, 15,20 years how much on average they have spent on maintenance/capex each month or year. I have looked this up and just get random numbers from everyone. I would rather just hear from people who have quite a few properties what they actually have paid over at the very least 5 years and hopefully hear from people who have actual numbers from owning properties for longer. I'm sure this will benefit everyone who has new properties or people looking for actual numbers. Thanks in advance!

[Thomas S.]

5 years in the rental business is close to zero years for analysing a properties expenses. The biggest factor in the 1-5 year range is the age and condition of the building at the time of purchase. You can not possibly calculate expenses for any particular building for less than a 30 year period which means no one that has been in the business for less than 30 years can do anything beyond give an estimate or provide a number. If they provide a number you would need to know every imanigable detail about the property and the circumstances surrounding the repair before that number could be of any value.

Likely percentages is the best you can do. The industry figures show 50% expenses over the life of a property. That is as accurate as any number anyone on here is likely to post and likely has no direct relationship with yours or anyone else's property but it is a fair estimate.

If someone tells you their expenses are X (not 50%) all that means is they are not at  50%. They may never reach it or they may go over 50% take your pick.

What will it cost to replace your roof in 25 years or what will your rent levels be at. No one knows the answer.