Home Sellers Over 70 Accept Lower Prices in Buyer's Market

Research shows older homeowners tend to receive around 5% less than younger sellers, as housing market shifts toward buyers

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A new study from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that homeowners who wait until their 70s or later to sell their homes tend to accept lower prices than younger sellers, with an 80-year-old seller receiving about 5% less than those in their 40s and 50s. This age-related discount, which can amount to around $20,270 on a typical $405,400 home sale, is happening as the housing market shifts toward buyers with rising mortgage rates and more sellers than purchasers nationwide.

Why it matters

For retirees, the financial hit from accepting lower home sale prices can be significant, as housing often represents a large share of their net worth. The research highlights the challenges older homeowners face in maximizing the value of their largest asset as the real estate market becomes more buyer-friendly.

The details

The study linked CoreLogic transaction records to voter registration files to estimate seller ages and used repeat-sale methods to analyze home prices over time. The researchers found that the age-related discount is tied to factors like deferred home maintenance and updates, as well as older sellers being more likely to use private transactions that limit bidding pressure. In a market with more sellers than buyers, these issues can become bigger bargaining chips for shoppers seeking lower prices or repair credits.

  • The national median home price was $410,000 in Q2 2025, up about 27% from 2019 but with growth cooling since 2023.
  • Mortgage rates have been hovering near 6.3% and are expected to stay around that level in 2026.

The players

Center for Retirement Research at Boston College

A research organization that conducted the study on the age-related pricing discount for older home sellers.

Philip Strahan

A co-author of the CRR study who urged families and neighbors to watch out for older owners' interests and keep an eye on home upkeep.

Joon Um

A financial planner who attributed lower sale prices for older homeowners to deferred maintenance and last-minute decisions driven by tight cash flow in retirement.

Danielle Hale

The chief economist at Realtor.com who expects mortgage rates to stay around 6.3% in 2026.

French Hill

The House Financial Services Chair leading a legislative effort to address the housing affordability crisis.

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What they’re saying

“From what we see working with older homeowners, lower sale prices usually come from deferred maintenance and last-minute decisions that are often driven by tight cash flow in retirement.”

— Joon Um, Financial planner (CNBC)

“We must watch out for older owners' interests and keep an eye on home upkeep, and sellers should lean on trusted help when dealing with brokers.”

— Philip Strahan, CRR study co-author

What’s next

The legislative effort led by House Financial Services Chair French Hill and ranking member Maxine Waters includes more than 20 provisions aimed at enhancing federal housing programs and incentivizing local governments to address the ongoing housing affordability crisis.

The takeaway

This research highlights the financial challenges older homeowners face in maximizing the value of their homes as the real estate market shifts toward buyers, underscoring the need for policies and support to help retirees protect their home equity and ensure a secure financial future.