A Window of Opportunity for Homebuyers

It’s startling enough when you turn 50 and the AARP invitations start showing up in your mailbox offering you a free tote bag and discounts on river cruises. At one point in time that may have been an acceptable age to start making someone feel like they’re getting older, but in this day and age, even turning 70 doesn’t feel “old” the way it once did. So if you came across this CNBC article suggesting there is evidence that people over 70 often receive lower prices for their homes compared to younger homeowners, it might be something you’d prefer to ignore or dismiss. But according to research done by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, once sellers reach that age, they start getting lower sale prices for their houses compared to sellers in their 40s and 50s. That doesn’t mean people suddenly lose the ability to make smart decisions once they turn 70, nor should anyone take this as some kind of insult. People are living longer, healthier, more active lives than ever before, and many homeowners are simply staying in their homes much longer than previous generations did. But it probably is worth taking a look at some of the reasons this may happen when it does, so you can be aware of them and better prepared to make smart decisions whenever the time comes to sell your own home. The House Slowly Becomes “Good Enough” One challenge that can happen after living in a home for decades is that you slowly stop noticing certain things. The worn carpeting. The faded paint. The outdated light fixtures. The cabinet doors that don’t quite close correctly anymore. The “junk drawer” that somehow became an entire junk room. It’s easy to get used to the things around your house that could impact how much buyers are willing to pay for it. How to avoid it: This doesn’t mean you need to do a complete renovation and update your entire house. But before listing your home, ask a trusted friend, family member, or real estate agent to walk through the property with completely fresh eyes. Even small cosmetic improvements, minor repairs, decluttering, and fresh paint can sometimes make a much bigger impact than sellers expect. The “Easy Sale” Can Sound Really Appealing After decades of homeownership, the idea of cleaning, preparing for showings, keeping the house spotless, and dealing with moving logistics can feel exhausting. That’s one reason quick cash offers and off-market deals can sometimes become especially tempting for older homeowners. And nowadays, those opportunities seem to come from everywhere. Investors. “We buy houses” companies. Random phone calls and mailers. Neighbors. Family friends. Even family members themselves. And to be fair, sometimes accepting less money actually does make sense depending on the situation. Maybe the house needs major updates or repairs you simply don’t want to deal with. Maybe avoiding months of preparation and stress is worth something to you. Maybe you genuinely want to help a child, grandchild, or someone close to you by giving them an opportunity to buy the home. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of those decisions. The important thing is simply making sure you fully understand what you may be giving up financially in exchange for the convenience, simplicity, or generosity involved. How to avoid it: Even if you ultimately decide to sell privately or accept a direct offer, it’s still smart to understand what your home could realistically sell for on the open market first. Having a trusted third party help you evaluate the offer, the buyer, and the overall situation can help ensure you’re making a fully informed decision rather than one based solely on pressure, urgency, or emotion. It May Feel “Wrong” to Make So Much on Your House For some older homeowners, one of the biggest surprises can simply be how much their home is actually worth. If you bought your house decades ago, today’s prices can sometimes feel almost ridiculous. You may look at what buyers are paying and think, “There’s no way this house should cost that much.” Many homeowners remember when the idea of paying today’s prices for an average home would have sounded completely unrealistic. So when it comes time to sell, some sellers may just feel like the buyer shouldn’t have to pay so much for their home. Of course, if you deliberately want to give someone a deal—whether it’s family, friends, or simply because it feels like the right thing to do—that’s completely your choice. But it’s important to remember that real estate is ultimately a supply-and-demand market, and buyers themselves determine value every single day through the prices they are willing to pay. How to avoid it: Before making decisions based on what you think your home should be worth, get a thorough market analysis from an experienced real estate agent who understands your local market. Even if you ultimately choose to price aggressively, sell privately, or give someone a break on price, you’ll at least be making that decision from a fully informed position. The Takeaway: A recent study found that homeowners over the age of 70 often receive lower prices for their homes compared to younger sellers. The good news is that many of the reasons behind that are likely avoidable once you know what to watch out for. Whether it’s getting fresh eyes on your home before listing it, understanding what your house could realistically sell for on the open market, or simply slowing down and gathering advice from trusted friends, family members, or a local real estate agent before making major decisions, a little preparation can go a long way.