Many of the homeowners I talk with in Henderson are at the same crossroads: they love their neighborhood, but the stairs are getting old, the yard is more work than it used to be, and they are wondering whether to remodel or move. There is no one right answer, but there is a smart way to think it through.
Most Homes Were Not Built for This Stage of Life
A recent article from Keeping Current Matters points out something that surprises a lot of people. Research from Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies finds that only a tiny share of homes in the country, fewer than 4%, have the basic features that make aging in place easier, such as single-level living, a no-step entry and wider doorways.
Plenty of people do choose to renovate. Remodelers report steady demand for projects like grab bars, curbless showers and wider doors. Those upgrades can make a big difference, but they also come with dust, noise, contractors and costs that tend to grow once the walls are open.
The other path is to use the equity you have built to move into a home that already fits how you want to live, such as a single-story home or a 55+ community. The article's conclusion is one I agree with: both choices can be good ones. It comes down to your home, your budget and your plans.
What This Means in Henderson and the Las Vegas Valley
Henderson happens to be one of the best places in the valley to weigh this decision, because we have a deep supply of age-restricted communities, including Sun City Anthem, Solera, Heritage at Black Mountain Ranch, Sun City MacDonald Ranch and newer active-adult neighborhoods in Cadence. Here is what the MLS shows for Henderson single-family homes in age-restricted communities as of October 2026:
- About 230 homes are for sale, with asking prices from roughly $325,000 to $1.7 million and an average of about $600,000.
- About 140 sold in the past three months, at an average of roughly $310 per square foot based on list price.
- The typical home is around 1,850 to 1,900 square feet with two to three bedrooms.
For comparison, about 1,120 Henderson single-family homes of all types sold over the same three months. If you have owned your current home for a while, there is a good chance your equity could cover a large share of a smaller, easier-to-live-in home.
Practical Tips If You Are Deciding Whether to Stay or Go
- Get two numbers, not one. Price out the remodel you would need, then find out what your home would likely sell for today. Seeing both side by side makes the decision much clearer.
- Walk your home with fresh eyes. Count the steps, check the shower and doorway widths, and think about where you would sleep if stairs became a problem.
- Tour a few 55+ communities before you decide. Clubhouses, fitness centers and social calendars vary a lot from one to the next.
- Ask about HOA fees and what they cover. Yard care and amenities can offset some of the cost of a fee.
- Talk with your tax and financial advisors. They can help you understand how a sale or a remodel fits your bigger picture.
The Bottom Line
Staying put and moving on can both be the right call. The best decision is an informed one. If you would like a no-pressure look at what your home is worth and what is available in Henderson's 55+ communities, I would be glad to help.
Read the full article from Keeping Current Matters
Market figures are from the MLS as of October 2026, are rounded, and change daily.
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons