To calculate the maintenance fund for buying a home in San Francisco, estimate annual costs by combining property taxes (0.75–1.25% of assessed value), insurance ($1,500–$3,000), utilities ($300–$600/month), repairs (1–4% of home value annually), and HOA fees (if applicable, $500–$2,500/month). Save 3–5% of the purchase price upfront and 2–3% annually for unexpected expenses.

San Francisco’s high housing costs and complex maintenance demands necessitate a detailed fund. Property taxes average 0.75% of assessed value in California (California Association of Realtors, 2023), while insurance premiums range from $1,500 to $3,000 annually (Zillow, 2023). Utilities for a median-priced SF home ($1.5M) cost $3,600–$7,200 yearly (EIA, 2022). Repairs typically consume 1–4% of home value annually, with SF’s median repair cost at 2.5% (National Association of Realtors, 2023). HOA fees add $6,000–$30,000 yearly depending on location. Combined, these equate to 3–5% of the home’s value annually. For a $1.5M home, this totals $45,000–$75,000/year. Saving 3–5% upfront ($45,000–$75,000) and 2–3% annually ($30,000–$45,000) ensures preparedness for maintenance, taxes, and emergencies. This aligns with SF’s 2023 median home price of $1.5M (California Department of Real Estate) and repair cost indices up 15% since 2020 (HomeLight, 2023). A robust fund mitigates financial risk in SF’s volatile real estate market.