Forever Homes, Overdue Repairs: What Homeowners Are Getting Right (and Wrong)

Forever Homes, Overdue Repairs: What Homeowners Are Getting Right (and Wrong)

Millennials are equipping their homes with smart tech, while Baby Boomers are patching the roof before it leaks. A new survey from Nationwideⁱ reveals a generational split in how homeowners protect their spaces: younger owners are all-in on gadgets and connected devices, while older generations are more likely to roll up their sleeves for routine repairs. The twist? Each group could learn a thing or two from the other. Because when it comes to homeownership, tech and elbow grease aren't mutually exclusive, they're a powerful combo.

Smart Homes, Smarter Millennials?

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Millennials aren't just buying homes, they're upgrading them with smart tech that does more than turn on lights. For them, it's about protection, peace of mind, and saving a few bucks. Their behavior signals a growing opportunity to educate all generations on the benefits of connected home technology.

Smart setups are the new norm
Millennials now average 4.6 smart devices per household, outpacing Gen X (3.1) and Baby Boomers (2.2). Their go-to gear includes security cameras, video doorbells, smart thermostats and nearly half report having a full home security system or smart surveillance setup.

Millennials and Gen Z aren't just in it for the cool factor (okay, maybe a little), they're also sleeping easier because of it. 85% of insurance agents recommend smart home products to help manage risk, because nothing says "adulting" like installing a leak detector before the leak.

Tech as a tool for savings
Some insurance companies offer smart devices for free (like Nationwide) or include a discount on homeowners premium. 37% of all homeowners say they've installed safety tech to qualify for insurance discounts, that number jumps to 56% among Millennials and Gen Z. Their motivation may be financial, but the result is a safer home.

The sense of security is just as important
Beyond cost savings, homeowners cite protection (56%), peace of mind and safety (55%), and mobile control (39%) as top benefits of adopting smart tech.

Despite the clear advantages, adoption is far from universal. Of those who do not currently own smart home products, 53% of homeowners say they don't see the need and 30% admit they simply don't know enough about them.

As Sarah Griffin, Senior Vice President of Personal Lines Product and Underwriting at Nationwide puts it:

"Smart tech is a powerful tool, but it's not a substitute for basic maintenance. The best protected homes are the ones where technology and routine care work hand in hand. The real opportunity is helping homeowners blend innovation and upkeep."

Forever Homes Are Feeling Extra Forever

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Remember when a "starter home" was just that, a starting point? For years the housing market depended on mobility, but with interest rates still high and inventory tight, many homeowners are choosing to stay put, turning "starter homes" into "stay forever" homes. In fact, 85% now consider their current home their "forever home." (Only 15% still think of it as a stepping stone). When looking at current buying conditions, people are staying put and learning to love what they have.

It's not just about dollars, it's also about feelings. Many homeowners describe their current home as a source of comfort (52%) and security (45%). But that emotional attachment is now colliding with financial friction. Many would love to do repairs, but can't afford to in today's market. So, they're getting creative.

• Instead of hiring contractors, 71% are handling routine maintenance themselves.
• 48% are even taking on cosmetic renovations solo, with a paintbrush in one hand and an online tutorial in the other.

The result? A generation of homeowners who aren't just staying put, they're doubling down on the homes they already have. Which works out, because 93% of homeowners said they view their houses as a prized asset.

Home Protection: Simpler Than You Think (But Easier to Ignore)

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Let's be honest, keeping your home safe can feel overwhelming. Between maintenance checklists, insurance policies, and smart tech options, it's easy to feel like you need a degree in risk management. But here's the good news: a few simple steps can make a big difference.

Start with the basics (seriously)
You'd think smoke detectors and fire extinguishers would be no-brainers, but the data says otherwise.

• 7% of homeowners don't have smoke detectors
• 27% are missing carbon monoxide detectors
• 21% don't have fire extinguishers

These are low-cost, high-impact tools, and skipping them could cost you more than just peace of mind.

The not so obvious stuff
There is tech that flies under the radar, until your ceiling starts dripping.

• 73% of homeowners don't have water leak detectors
• 77% lack electrical fire monitoring devices

That's a problem, considering how much damage a hidden leak or faulty wiring can cause. The good news is some insurance providers (like Nationwide) are offering devices like Leakbot for water detection and Ting for electrical monitoring for no cost to most home policyholdersⁱⁱ-to help catch issues before they become disasters.

"Homeowners don't need to do everything at once," said Griffin. "But small steps, like reviewing your policy or installing a leak detector, can make a big difference in protecting what matters most."

Maintenance matters
In the past year:

• 35% of homeowners delayed routine maintenance
• That jumps to 51% of Millennials and Gen Z delaying routine maintenance
• Only 25% of Baby Boomers have (maybe it's time to take notes from Mom and Dad)

Even more eye-opening, 25% have put off necessary repairs, with 60% of those who have delayed or deferred any home maintenance needs citing cost as the primary reason. But here's the twist, only 14% cite maintenance among the factors that had the biggest influence on their decision making when buying their current home, 76% say it would have more of an influence on decision making if they bought again.

And here's something many homeowners don't realize: your insurance policy depends on if you maintain your home. Neglecting repairs or skipping basic safety measures could impact your coverage if something goes wrong. That's why a quick annual policy review is worth your time.

• 53% of homeowners have already done a policy review in the past year
• 45% consulted an agent to better understand what's covered (and what's not).
• 42% compared quotes
• 37% installed safety devices to score a discount
• The win: 68% of insurance agents say their typical clients are already reviewing their policies at least annually (smart)

Protecting your home doesn't mean choosing between a toolbox and a touchscreen. It means using both and working with an agent to make sure you have the right coverage you need. Whether you're patching a leaky faucet or installing a motion sensor, the goal is the same: keep your home safe, your stuff dry, and your peace of mind in tact.

Curious how your home habits stack up? Read the full 2025 Homeowners Survey

ⁱ 2025 Homeowners Survey

Methodology: Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence to conduct a 15-minute online survey among 1,000 U.S. homeowners and 400 independent insurance agents from July 30-August 18, 2025.

ⁱⁱ Availability varies by state, coverage selections and rating factors. The smart home monitoring system and related support will be supplied by the third-party device provider and maker. Nationwide is not responsible for the system, installation or any home monitoring. To be eligible for this offer, the customer must have an active Nationwide homeowners, condo or tenant policy.

Smart home is not available in AK, HI, LA, NY and OK. Ting devices are not available in WA. Contact your independent agent to find out about other available discounts.