Biggest Expenditures for New Home Buyers
NAHB analysis of Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that during the first year after closing on a home sale, home buyers tend to spend considerably more money on furnishings, appliances and remodeling compared to non-moving owners. Buyers of new homes spend four times as much as non-moving owners and twice as much as buyers of existing homes.
Top Expenditures
Alterations and repairs:
- New home buyers - $11,930
- Buyers of existing homes - $5,761
- Non-moving owners - $2,966
Furnishings:
- New home buyers - $5,122
- Buyers of existing homes - $2,665
- Non-moving owners - $904
Appliances:
- New home buyers - $4,254
- Buyers of existing homes - $2,499
- Non-moving owners - $1,442
Although home buyers tend to spend considerably more on furnishings, appliances and property alterations compared to non-moving owners, most of the demand for appliances, furnishings and remodeling projects in a given year is generated by non-moving home owners, because they outnumber home buyers by such a wide margin.
Dr. Natalia Siniavskaia, NAHB assistant vice president for housing policy research, details popular items among these categories and helps explain spending behavior in this Eye on Housing post.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics | Multifamily
Feb 12, 2026
Low-Rise Multifamily Shows Strength at End of 2025; Other Segments WeakConfidence in the market for new multifamily housing decreased year-over-year in the fourth quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by NAHB. The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 45, down three points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 74, down seven points year-over-year.
Sponsored Content
Feb 11, 2026
5 Reasons Home Builders Are the Unsung Heroes of the American DreamBehind the homes people cherish are builders quietly carrying more responsibility — and having more impact — than most Americans realize. Here’s why their work matters far beyond the jobsite.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 11, 2026
Job Growth Starts Year on Strong Note: However, 2025 Revisions Offer CautionThe U.S. labor market began 2026 at a surprisingly strong pace, while newly released benchmark revisions show that job growth in 2025 was considerably weaker than previously reported.
Economics
Feb 10, 2026
Credit Card Balances Rise in Q4 2025Overall consumer credit continued to expand in the fourth quarter of 2025, with growth in both nonrevolving and revolving credit. Nonrevolving credit, primarily student and auto loans, accounts for 74% of total outstanding consumer credit, while revolving credit, largely credit card balances, makes up the remaining 26%.
Economics
Feb 10, 2026
Weaker Demand, Unchanged Lending Conditions for Residential Mortgages in Fourth QuarterLending standards for most types of residential mortgages were essentially unchanged but overall demand was weaker in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).