Americans will spend extraordinary amounts of money protecting their financial assets, yet many treat their physical asset, their home, that may be worth the most as an afterthought. That is becoming increasingly dangerous. As experienced tradespeople retire and the cost of accessing skilled labor rises, neglecting routine home maintenance and repairs could become one of the most expensive forms of financial self-sabotage.
According to JLL's April 2026 skilled-trades research, as many as 2.1 million skilled-trades positions in the United States could remain unfilled by 2030. We tend to think about that shortage as a problem for construction companies, infrastructure projects and commercial real estate. But there is another group that will feel its effects also: homeowners.
The problem becomes particularly stark when we consider what American homes are worth. Zillow found that 242 U.S. cities had typical starter homes valued at $1 million or more, compared with 80 before the pandemic. For many households, a home is not simply where they live: It is their largest or one of their largest financial assets.
Yet we do not manage our homes as carefully as we manage other valuable assets. People hire financial advisers to monitor investments. They work with accountants to reduce tax exposure.
They insure valuable possessions. But when it comes to the roof over their heads, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC equipment and other essential components, many homeowners wait until something breaks or needs to be replaced. I think that mindset is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.
A house is not a static asset. It is a living system of interconnected components that deteriorate over time. A small plumbing problem can become water damage that leads to mold.
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