Homeowners Staying Put for Longer Than Ever

Aging in place means fewer homes for young homebuyers, according to a new report by Redfin.

2 minute read

November 4, 2019, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Winter neighborhood

TaraPatta / Shutterstock

"Americans are staying in their homes much longer than before, creating a logjam of housing inventory off the market that helps explain why home sales have been sputtering," reports Laura Kusisto in a paywalled article for the Wall Street Journal.

Kusisto is sharing news about the findings of a recent analysis by Redfine, which is also published online. The report finds that the typical U.S. homeowner stays in their homes for 13 years, five more years than reported in 2010.

"In Salt Lake CityHoustonFort WorthSan Antonio, and Dallas homeowners have been in their homes the longest, with typical homeowners in those metros staying in their homes over eight years longer than they did in 2010," according to an article by Daryl Fairweather on the Redfin website. "In many metros that has led to fewer homes available for first-time homebuyers."

Fairweather also lists a comparison of median home tenure in 2010 and 2019 for all 55 metros included in the Redfin analysis. Home tenure increased in all 55 metros, in cities as disparate as Salt lake City, Baltimore, Fort Worth, and Oakland, California.

The list also provides information about the number of homes for sale and median sale prices. Thus, both Refin and Kusisto present the findings of the report with a narrative that complicates thinking about the "aging in place" approach to senior housing, by connecting aging in place with rising housing costs. Fairweather uses San Francisco as a case study of a city where homeowners are staying in place longer than in previous decades, there are fewer homes for sale, and the homes that are for sale are much more expensive.

Friday, November 1, 2019 in Redfin

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

AI-generated image of high-speed rail trail in elevated track in green hilly farmland.

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI

It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

May 28, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment

City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

May 30 - The Bulletin

Metro rail station in Mariachi Plaza with colorful glass pavilion in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA

When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

May 30 - CALmatters

Des Moines, Iowa skyline viewed from a plaza with two flags on either side at dusk.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units

A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.

May 30 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.