{"id":7640,"date":"2026-07-28T10:10:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T14:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/?p=7640"},"modified":"2026-07-28T10:10:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T14:10:37","slug":"older-adults-are-holding-record-amounts-of-home-equity-can-their-heirs-afford-to-keep-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/older-adults-are-holding-record-amounts-of-home-equity-can-their-heirs-afford-to-keep-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Older Adults Are Holding Record Amounts of Home Equity. Can Their Heirs Afford to Keep It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-style-rounded is-style-rounded--1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"836\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/older-adults-holding-record-amounts-of-home-equity.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7641\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/older-adults-holding-record-amounts-of-home-equity.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/older-adults-holding-record-amounts-of-home-equity-300x179.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/older-adults-holding-record-amounts-of-home-equity-1024x611.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/older-adults-holding-record-amounts-of-home-equity-768x459.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Older adults are poised to pass along roughly $19 trillion in home equity over the next two decades. But the wealth is unevenly held. Many seniors struggle to preserve the equity they have. And even if they can, will their heirs be able to do the same?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than a fourth of homeowners aged 65+ use up more than 30% of their income paying for housing and utilities. That makes them overburdened. (Cost-burdened households are those paying more than 30% of their income for housing.) Many have paid off their mortgages, but there are other costs in play, and those costs are rising, says economist Joel Berner at <em>Realtor.com<\/em>\u00ae:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Property taxes across the country are up 30%+ since pre-pandemic years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The price of heating and cooling a home has gone up about 30% in roughly the same time period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Average monthly homeowners insurance payments soared even more: they\u2019re up 72%. They\u2019re especially high wherever climate is a big factor\u2014mainly warmer areas, where older adults prefer to live.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are other factors, too. There\u2019s a shortage of construction workers and rising tariffs on goods. The cost of improvements and repairs reflects these realities. This doesn\u2019t even get into the cost of accessibility modifications or assisted living. All told, homeownership expenses have surged since the pandemic hit, and senior deed holders haven\u2019t been spared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Many Seniors Refinanced as Rates Dropped\u2014And Never Sold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rising costs of homeownership would, in normal times, naturally prompt seniors to downsize. They could sell now, of course. Why don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fact is, many seniors got attractive mortgage rates when they could, and they\u2019ve held onto their low-rate loans. Now, real estate has appreciated in value so much that some older adults fear large tax bills if they sell. Today, more than 13 million deed holders have amassed equity gains exceeding the IRS capital gains tax exclusion, the National Association of REALTORS\u00ae points out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plus, it\u2019s well known that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/avoid-the-20k-age-penalty-maximize-your-home-equity-and-sell-for-full-price\/\">seniors don\u2019t always get fair value for their homes when they go to sell<\/a>. If they lose part of their equity by selling, it can hurt them and their heirs. Some older adults might just keep their homes for life\u2014as a store of value for their heirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For younger adults, inheritances could be lifesavers. Most young renters cannot acquire deeds on their own. The full cost of owning the median-priced home has passed $3K a month. Clearly, a home buyer needs to earn a six-figure income to buy such a home, and most young adults simply don\u2019t pull in that much money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, the combination of automation and robotics in industry and federal policy leading to cuts in formerly secure jobs is putting younger generations in a pickle. Educators of today\u2019s young adults can\u2019t really tell them how to prepare for the unprecedented social, technological, and economic changes now underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heirs to real estate do get a tax advantage known as the stepped-up cost basis. This spares them from the risk of having to pay taxes on the appreciation that the deceased person had accrued over the years. And yet, while inheriting may be tax-advantaged, it comes with the costs of homeownership. Selling the home can require large investments for the renovations an experienced agent will almost surely recommend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-5-background-color has-background has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong><em>An inherited home isn\u2019t free. Taxes, insurance, and mortgage payments are typically due before a home even gets out of probate. A <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/can-a-transfer-on-death-deed-save-your-family-money\/\"><strong><em>transfer on death deed<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em> can speed up the ownership transfer, but a debt-heavy home may still get tied up with creditor claims.<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Older Adults Are Tapping Their Equity; Heirs Could Be Left Holding Reverse Mortgage Bags<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Older deed holders are not necessarily able to pass their home equity along to loved ones or charities. Most people owe money as they approach retirement\u2014and the largest balances are in mortgage debt, according to the Federal Reserve\u2019s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Financial advisers may suggest that they take out second mortgages to handle the rising cost of aging in place. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/reverse-mortgage-problems-when-to-stay-and-when-to-walk-away\/\">Reverse mortgages are a top pick for retirees<\/a>. They produce a stream of funds, released month by month. The senior must keep up with home maintenance, taxes, utilities, HOA fees (if applicable), and insurance. But this way, they have some cash to spend. They can stay in the home for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But their heirs will pick up the tab if the loan cannot be repaid. This means not all heirs will actually see the benefits of a \u201cgreat wealth transfer\u201d\u2014and some will be permanently locked out of traditional mortgage eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To help loved ones, plan ahead and let heirs know what they can realistically count on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-5-background-color has-background has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong><em>Seniors, check for <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/senior-property-tax-exemptions-and-freezes-what-deed-holders-should-know\/\"><strong><em>local property tax breaks, exemptions, and freezes<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>. Keep more of your home equity.<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-5-background-color has-background has-small-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Supporting References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Harvard University, Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jchs.harvard.edu\/state-nations-housing-2026\"><em>State of the Nation\u2019s Housing<\/em><\/a> (2026); see also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jchs.harvard.edu\/son-2026-cost-burdens-map\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Cost Burdens High Nationwide<\/em><\/a>(map; 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Allaire Conte for <em>Realtor.com<\/em> (published by the National Association of REALTORS\u00ae and Move, Inc.): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/news\/trends\/older-homeowners-rising-costs-shrink-inheritances\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Older Homeowners Hold Record Equity but Rising Bills Could Leave Less for Their Heirs<\/a> (Jun. 23, 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medora Lee for<em> USA TODAY <\/em>via <em>USAToday.com<\/em>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/personalfinance\/2026\/05\/28\/housing-affordability-buying-owning-seniors\/90262215007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buying a Home Feels Unaffordable. But So Is Owning One, Seniors Find<\/a> (May 28, 2026; updated May 31, 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trina Paul for<em> Investopedia<\/em> (People Inc.): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/great-wealth-transfer-why-inheriting-a-home-may-not-make-you-rich-1775758393915-12004351\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Why Inheriting a Home in the Great Wealth Transfer May Not Mean Financial Security<\/a> (Jul. 4, 2026; citing Cerulli Associates on wealth transfer figures).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And as linked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/grandparents-and-a-girl-sitting-on-a-couch-while-reading-a-greeting-card-6158677\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cottonbro Studio<\/a>, via Pexels\/Canva.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Older adults are poised to pass along roughly $19 trillion in home equity over the next two decades. But the wealth is unevenly held. Many seniors struggle to preserve the equity they have. And even if they can, will their heirs be able to do the same? More than a fourth of homeowners aged 65+ [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7641,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[107],"tags":[264,877,3883,2664,185,367,880,3760,3882,3884],"class_list":["post-7640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-elder","tag-estate-planning","tag-generational-wealth","tag-great-wealth-transfer","tag-heirs","tag-home-equity","tag-housing-costs","tag-inheritance","tag-inherited-home","tag-older-homeowners","tag-reverse-mortgages"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Inherited Home Equity: Can Heirs Afford to Keep It?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Older adults hold record home equity, but rising costs and reverse mortgages may leave heirs struggling to keep inherited homes and preserve family wealth.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/older-adults-are-holding-record-amounts-of-home-equity-can-their-heirs-afford-to-keep-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Great Wealth Transfer Is Coming. 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