If you’ve thought about upgrading your home but balked at the idea of listing it, buying another, and locking in a loan at today’s interest rates, you’re not alone. The stats show that more families are staying put and putting their money into remodeling.
Why people are choosing to stay put
Home prices are high, inventory is tight, and mortgage rates aren’t what they were a few years ago. And if you bought or refinanced when rates were in the 2s or 3s, it’s hard to justify trading that for a bigger payment at a higher rate. That’s why many homeowners are looking at what they already have and asking: should we be investing in home expansions to make this work long-term?
Recent research from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies backs up the trend. Remodeling spend is expected to hit $608 billion in 2025, and that growth isn’t slowing. Even as home sales have dipped, remodeling projects, from essential repairs to major remodels, have stayed strong. According to the report: “This extraordinary boom was driven by strong growth in the number of owners undertaking projects and in average spending, bolstered by a healthy labor market, record-high property values, and aging homes in need of investment.”
There’s also a practical side influencing the spending on home projects. At The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, NAHB economist Eric Lynch said: “Remodeler sentiment has remained in positive territory. One of the key factors for growth in the remodeling market is the aging housing stock, which continues to drive renovation projects. Homeowners are increasingly choosing to tap into their home equity and invest in improvements rather than relocate, creating long-term growth prospects for the industry.”
The median age of homes in the U.S. is now 44 years, which means that more systems are aging out. Kitchens and bathrooms are ready for updates, families are growing or changing, and people are thinking about aging in place.
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A real-world example: Roscoe waterfront expansion
A homeowner bought a property in Ponte Vedra Beach back in 2018 and did a full remodel with a serious interior transformation. A few years later, they came to us looking for more space and better function for their family.
The first idea was big. After sitting down together, we shaped it into something more realistic without losing what mattered most. We worked directly from the homeowner’s plans, teaming up again with their original interior designer.
Here’s what the expansion included:
- A 4-car garage (up from 2), with a full living suite above for their daughter—bedroom, walk-in closet, en suite bath.
- A new bonus room with a powder bath, wet bar, and golf simulator.
- A home gym over what used to be a single-story bedroom.
- A larger loft and a covered balcony off the master suite, plus a porch off the dining room.
- New built-ins, custom front entry, HVAC upgrades, and more.
That home is now about 6,200 square feet, thoughtfully planned and carefully executed. We didn’t just add space; we added value and function in a way that fits their lifestyle now and well into the future.
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It’s not always about going bigger
Not every project is about adding square footage. Some families are modernizing kitchens. Others are updating baths or opening up closed floorplans. Some are planning for multi-generational living. Many are just future-proofing a home they want to stay in.
What we’re seeing across the board is this: homeowners are willing to invest in home expansions or upgrades when it gives them the space and comfort they need without the hassle and cost of moving. They may even be able to take advantage of new tax benefits while doing so.
You may also be interested in: How to Downsize Your Home for Retirement: Tips and inspiration from the Ventrones’ home
Thinking about investing in your own home expansion?
If you’re weighing your options and wondering whether expansion or renovation is the right path, start by looking at how you really use your home. What’s working? What’s frustrating? What would make it better?
You might not need a brand-new house. You might just need the right plan (and the right builder) to make your current one work smarter.
