Fear of Missing Maintenance (FOMM): Statistics on Homeownership and Peer Pressure

It’s happened to everyone: talking about something in a group makes you follow up on the topic yourself. Whether it’s movie recommendations, recipes, or even new technology, social conversations drive so many consumer choices.

Is the same true for homeowners? How often do they get inspired to do things differently at home due to friendly conversations? We wanted to find out and see how homeownership exists in the social sphere. 

Methodology

In late April 2026, we surveyed 1,000 homeowners about their experiences with peer pressure and home repairs, upgrades, and maintenance. Genders were split evenly; ages ranged from 18-78 with an average age of 46. 12% indicated homeownership 0-2 years, 16% indicated 3-5 years, 24% 5-10 years, and 48% 11+ years. 33% indicated being part of an HOA. 

FOMO for the Home: Fear of Missing Maintenance (FOMM)

Homeownership can cause stress, particularly in this era of ever-climbing cost of living. Our survey respondents indicated quite a bit of anxiety: 50% of homeowners surveyed said they had major homeownership anxiety, and broken down by generation, Millennials are suffering even more, with 57% indicating anxiety. Boomers are least bothered at 39%. Perhaps unsurprisingly, those surveyed who have owned their homes 0-2 years show the most anxiety about their homes.

Over half of those we surveyed feel they’re behind where they should be with home maintenance, with 13% feeling very behind. Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) worry constantly about a home system failing – even without evidence of any problem, and nearly half worry at least some of the time. This can lead to nagging feelings that you’re missing some crucial piece of maintenance – a feeling 54% share. 

The biggest overall home maintenance anxieties for our survey respondents were cost related, with 69% saying cost of repairs was their biggest single homeownership anxiety. After that, cost of failures (12%) and cost of ongoing maintenance (6%) rounded out top anxieties. 

Which home systems cause homeowners the most stress? Anyone from a warmer climate won’t be shocked at HVAC taking the crown, with 28% indicating it was the most stressful. There’s nothing worse than an HVAC failure! Other stressful systems include plumbing (24%), the roof (16%), the foundation (11%), and electrical (11%). 

47% Started Worrying About A Potential Home Issue Only After a Neighbor Mentioned Their Own Problems

Sometimes homeownership anxiety can be contagious. 47% of those we surveyed said they started worrying about a given home problem in their own homes only after a friend or neighbor complained about it for their home. By generation, Millennials are most susceptible to this, with 50% doing so; Gen Z is surprisingly unbothered by peer pressure from friends with only 42% saying this happens to them.

Other major anxiety triggers for our homeowner respondents include a neighbor mentioning a recent home repair, social media, seeing a contractor’s truck in the neighborhood, visiting friends or family, or social conversations on homeownership. 76% of those who owned their home 3-5 years were triggered by a social interaction, showing that the post-honeymoon phase of homeownership can be nerve wracking.

Gen Z might not be susceptible to peer pressure, but they’re not immune to the algorithm: 56% of Gen Zers surveyed said they’ve been triggered by social media, and 34% say the same from neighborhood group chats or NextDoor conversations.

This social pressure can add up: respondents say they spent an average of over $3,000 due to social pressure around their home maintenance; for HOA members, it’s over $4,000.

87% Learn About New Home Problems to Watch For From Friends

One of the best parts of friendship is moving through life milestones together. From graduating college, getting first jobs, to finding partners and settling down into the grooves of adulthood, friends can bond over each phase as they go through it – and housing is no exception.

55% of the homeowners we polled say that most or all of their friends are also homeowners– and the data supports this. 87% say they learn about previously unknown potential home problems from friends, and 73% learn DIY skills from their friends.

Generationally, Boomers unsurprisingly have the most homeowner friends, but even 58% of millennials have friend groups with at least half homeowners. Nearly two thirds bring up homeownership with their friend group, and most do so regardless of whether their other friends own homes or not.

Main topics of homeowner conversation among friends include maintenance, repairs, landscaping, recommendations for contractors, and even 1 in 2 discuss anxiety around money. Unfortunately, friends aren’t always as reliable as professionals when it comes to sharing the right DIY advice: over 1 in 3 have been given incorrect information about a repair or maintenance issue.

In the end, though, friends are still a support system: while 15% say they leave conversations about home issues with friends more anxious, 21% leave less anxious, and 64% report no change.

Over 1 in 3 Homeowners Surveyed Changed Their Exterior After Seeing a Neighbor Do So

How do neighbors and the overall neighborhoods exert social pressure on homeowners? 62% of those we surveyed report talking with their neighbors about homeownership, increasing to 70% for HOA members. In fact, HOA members seem to exhibit a higher sense of social pressure around their homes, even though only 1 in 5 of them are required to match their neighborhood’s look and feel. These moments of peer pressure can turn into neighborhood-wide trends – and present a united neighborhood front to buyers.

Homeowners are also notoriously competitive for each other– just think of the phrase “keeping up with the Joneses,” alluding to competition around the home and possessions among neighbors. These days, the homeowners we surveyed compete with their neighbors over landscaping (58%), curb appeal (44%), and maintenance (36%). Another 1 in 3 have changed the exterior of their home after noticing changes from a neighbor; 20% have purchased home technology like a doorbell camera strictly because their neighbor did so.

No Need For FOMM With a Home Warranty

Concerned you’re missing something in your regular home routine? Wondering if a major system or appliance might break after normal wear and tear? A home warranty offers peace of mind and reduced costs for repair or replacement of covered systems or appliances. With our network of repair Pros, you get to focus on keeping up with your friends and neighbors instead.