Us Homes Aren’t Getting Any Younger

US homes are getting some snow on the roof, metaphorically speaking. The median US home is a record 44 years old, meaning that the typical house was built before the first-ever Blockbuster, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. And with new construction struggling to keep up with demand, houses are getting even older—and in need of renovation.

Reno 911: Aging homes are especially common in the Northeast. According to Redfin, in 2024, the typical home in Buffalo, New York, was built 69 years ago. When a house is decades old, not every upgrade gets your blood pumping and your Pinterest fingers scrolling. Rachel Drew, director of Harvard’s Remodeling Futures Program, told the Wall Street Journal:

• Nearly 50% of all improvement spending is now for necessary maintenance, like replacing a furnace.
• In 2023, US homeowners spent an average of $9,030 on replacement projects, like windows—up 59% from 2009, even adjusting for inflation.

Not only do older homes need maintenance more often, but the repairs themselves are also more expensive: Between 2022 and 2024, inflation-adjusted costs for structural repairs jumped about 14%, the WSJ reported, citing data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

Renovations that actually pay off

If you’re forced into a home improvement project (or you just want to spruce things up), it’s worth keeping in mind that future buyers may not share your affinity for shiplap or bumblebee-themed wallpaper. Zillow reported last year that the home improvements with the best return on investment are:

• Replacing your garage door (with a 349% ROI).
• Replacing your entry door (216% ROI).
• Adding a manufactured stone veneer (208% ROI).
• Installing fiber-cement siding (114% ROI).
• Minor kitchen remodel (113% ROI).

On the flip side, renovations like swimming pools, marble countertops, and koi ponds may actually drive some buyers away. But, it’s your home, so no judgment if you want to prioritize koi over ROI.—BC

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