Would you agree with this? AA Home Insurance has this week released new figures detailing the average cost of owning and maintaining a family home in Ireland. According to the survey, the figure has dropped for the first time in over four years to just over €16,000 a year. The detailed survey shows that the €16,210.49 equates to approximately 41 per cent of the national average wage in Ireland and takes into consideration mortgage repayments, repair and contingency, maintenance, and bills such as broadband and heating. The figure was based on the current average house price of second-hand homes in the country, which rose from €193,000 in the fourth quarter of 2014. “Owning and maintaining a home absorbs a significant amount of our income,” said Conor Faughnan of AA. “Our research reveals that it certainly pays to shop around for general household expenses such as refuse collection, home heating and telephone and broadband services.”