Two-Thirds of U.S. Homeowners Choosing Remodeling Over Relocating

Seattle, WA, April 17, 2026-U.S. homeowners are remodeling instead of relocating, reports Redfin.

About two-thirds of homeowners who recently made renovations chose to upgrade their home instead of moving to a new place, per a recent Redfin survey.  Within this group of homeowners, millennials and Gen Zers are more likely than older people to remodel instead of move. Most homeowners who renovated in the last year spent less than $20,000 on upgrades, signaling that a lot of them are opting for select improvements rather than a full remodel.  Fresh paint, bathroom upgrades and kitchen renovations are the most common improvements. 

Instead of moving, Americans are remodeling. More than two in five (43%) Americans renovated their home in the last year, and another 33% plan to renovate in the next year, according to a recent Redfin survey. 

For many, renovating is a deliberate alternative to seeking out a different home. Roughly two-thirds (65%) of homeowners who are recent renovators chose to upgrade their current home instead of moving. For homeowners who are planning to renovate in the next year, 71% say they’re remodeling instead of buying a new place.