Thinking about moving to stretch your retirement dollars a little further?
According to a new analysis by Kind House Buyers using Realtor.com sales data, 10 states stand out.
Leading the way is Florida which recorded 1,336 home sales per 100,000 residents in 2025, the highest per-capita rate in the country — nearly 83% above the national average.
At first glance, it looks like another Sunbelt brag story.
But for older homeowners, this kind of turnover often means something else entirely.
It usually signals people at a crossroads — selling longtime homes, downsizing, relocating closer to family, or finally making a move they postponed for years.
But Florida isn’t alone.
Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, Missouri, and even Vermont all show unusually high home-sale activity once population size is factored in. These are not primarily first-time buyer states. They’re life-transition states.
Rounding out the Top 10 are Minnesota, Alaska, Arkansas, and Georgia.
Why per-capita home sales matter more for seniors
Total home sales can be misleading. Big states always look busy.
Per-capita sales answer a better question:
How often are people actually moving?
High turnover usually reflects:
- Downsizing after children leave
- Estate or trust-related home sales
- Retirees relocating — sometimes more than once
- Second-home owners cashing out
Florida’s numbers suggest that many older homeowners aren’t just thinking about moving — they’re finally acting.
Where seniors are moving — and where they’re stuck
That doesn’t always mean residents are happy staying put.
What’s just as telling as who’s on the list is who isn’t.
According to the data, states like New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California show far lower per-capita sales — a pattern also seen in many higher-cost or slower-growth markets.
For many older homeowners, “stuck” doesn’t mean unwilling to move — it means unable to. Rising insurance costs, property tax rules that discourage selling, and the lack of affordable, age-friendly housing elsewhere can make staying put feel like the least bad option, even when it’s no longer the best one.
Often it reflects:
- Property tax lock-in
- Insurance affordability issues
- Lack of suitable downsizing options
- Fear of losing long-held benefits
Florida’s surge may partly reflect pent-up demand breaking loose — for better or worse.
Caution: If Florida IS Your Target...
Florida’s home-sale boom isn’t just about sunshine and demand.
It’s about older Americans making big, irreversible decisions in fast-moving markets.
That can be empowering — or expensive.
The difference is knowing the gotchas before you pack the boxes.
⚠️ The Gotchas (Use as Drop-Down Toggles)
▶️ Florida’s insurance shock
Many buyers don’t learn until after closing that:
- Home insurance premiums can double or triple
- Some older homes are hard to insure at all
- Condo associations may face massive special assessments
A cheap listing price doesn’t mean affordable living.
▶️ Property taxes don’t always “port”
Some states allow partial tax portability for seniors — others don’t.
Selling a longtime home and buying again can:
- Reset your tax base
- Eliminate exemptions you assumed followed you
- Raise annual costs permanently
Never assume your tax break moves with you.
▶️ Condo risk is rising — especially for seniors
In high-turnover states, condos move fast.
But many older buyers don’t see:
- Deferred structural repairs
- Aging buildings facing new safety rules
- HOA fee hikes that can’t be capped
A low monthly fee today can become unaffordable quickly.
▶️ Fast cash offers aren’t always friendly
Companies that “buy homes quickly” often market to seniors under pressure.
For some sellers, speed is the priority — but it’s still worth understanding the tradeoffs:
- Offers may be well below market value
- Sellers may give up negotiation leverage
- Alternatives aren’t always explained clearly
Speed has a price.
▶️ Moving twice costs more than waiting once
Many seniors move again within five years.
Why?
- Health changes
- Isolation
- Underestimated costs
- Overestimated lifestyle benefits
The most expensive move is the one you have to undo.
These are issues consumer advocates and housing analysts consistently warn older buyers about — especially in fast-moving Sunbelt markets.
Before You Follow the Crowd: A Senior Home-Move Checklist
If you’re 60+ and thinking about selling or relocating, pause and ask:
- Can I afford insurance after I move — not just the purchase price?
- Will my property taxes reset higher than expected?
- Am I buying into a condo with deferred maintenance?
- Does this state protect seniors — or just attract them?
- What happens if I need to move again in 2–3 years?
Hot markets reward speed. Seniors need clarity. A thoughtful move beats a fast one — especially later in life.
Sources
- Home-sales analysis by Kind House Buyers, using 2025 Realtor.com data
https://www.kindhousebuyers.com/
https://www.realtor.com/
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute real estate, legal, or financial advice. Seniors should consult licensed professionals before buying or selling a home.
