Home renovation trend explodes as Racine homeowners embrace improvements over moving

RACINE, WI — Home renovation trends in Racine have shifted dramatically, local contractors say — shaped by the pandemic, housing market changes, and new ideas about how people want to live.

“People are more mindful of their space since they’ve been spending more time inside it,” said Adam Billingsley, president of Realistic Builders, a family-owned company founded in 1980.

Since COVID, homeowners have focused less on luxury upgrades and more on functional gathering spaces, Billingsley said. Think: open kitchens with islands, roomy great rooms, and the death of the formal dining room.

“Knocking down walls has become the go-to project,” he said. “People want to entertain and relax in one space.”

At the same time, rising home prices and tight inventory are changing how people prepare to sell. It used to be common to remodel a bathroom or update floors to attract higher bids. Not anymore.

“Homes are selling as-is,” Billingsley said. “If something’s not broken, most people aren’t touching it.”

Property owners choosing home renovation over moving

The market remains hot. Racine County’s median home price reached $275,000 in early 2025 — a 16.3% jump from last year, according to Redfin. Homes are also moving faster, spending an average of 49 days on the market compared to 54 days a year ago.

With homes selling quickly, new construction remains strong.

On the other hand, Billingsley, who also leads the Racine-Kenosha Builders Association, said many residents choose to stay in place and renovate rather than jump into a competitive market.

“People are asking: ‘Should I wait to build? Or just remodel what I’ve got?’” he said. “They want homes that work for how they actually live — not just what looks good on a listing.”

He expects steady demand through the rest of the year, especially as major companies move into the area.

“With Microsoft and others coming in, the need for housing here is only going to grow,” he said.

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