POTTSTOWN PA – Whether you live in Pottstown or Perkiomenville, in West Chester or North Coventry, here’s a new truth. An increasing number of people need more than two hands to count how long they’ve held on to the home where they live.

The typical U.S. homeowner stays put in their house for 12 years, according to a recent report from real estate brokerage Redfin. That’s the longest median home-owning tenure in several years, it adds.

Homeowner tenure peaked at 13.4 years in 2020, then gradually declined each year until 2024. The declines were driven by the pandemic-driven home-buying and selling frenzy.

Mortgage rates then hit record-lows, and remote work motivated many Americans to move. Tenure inched up from 11.8 years in 2024 to 12 years in 2025 as home sales slowed, due to high housing costs.

Still, homeowners are holding onto their houses for nearly twice as long as before. The reasons? Baby Boomers (age 62-80) and Gen Xers (age 46-61) are increasingly likely to age in place.

Many own their homes free and clear, or are likely to have mortgage payments smaller than a home buyer would today. Older people also typically have less reason to relocate; for example, they’re not as likely to move for a new job or grow their families.

Photo from Getty Images on Unsplash+, used under license

Our local reporting includes news about businesses and commercial ventures within, or that affect residents of, Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more business articles here.

Cruise Ship Debuts ‘America’s Got Talent’ Show

MIAMI FL – If you’re a fan of the “America’s Got Talent (AGT) television show, the Royal Caribbean Group cruise line has created a new vacation voyage with you in mind.

The company says it will debut “a re-imagined extension” of the America’s Got Talent live stage show for families, in the Royal Theater of its Legend of the Seas ship during Summer 2026. Performances reportedly feature a line-up of unique acts, from magicians and musicians to acrobats and aerialists, and others. It marks “the first time the series will headline at sea,” it adds.

Legend will sail this summer with seven-night Western Mediterranean vacations from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, and visit locales like Provence (Marseille), France; Naples, Italy; and Palma De Mallorca, Spain. Its grand Caribbean debut is scheduled during November 2026.

Interest in ocean cruising continues to grow. The American Automobile Association reports about 21 million Americans will take a cruise this year. An estimated 65% of those will be of age 55 or older.

In Montgomery County PA alone, that represents a potential cruising audience of more than 158,000 people, according to Neilsberg, a market research firm.

Photo provided by Royal Caribbean

Our local business reporting includes articles on travel planning and tourism industry activities within, or that affect residents of, Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more travel and tourism articles here. Also, see and follow the Travels With The Post page on Facebook.

Garden By Color: Yellow Yields A Healthy Gut

POTTSTOWN PA – Pottstown area residents have already begun planning their spring and summer gardens. They likely envision sweet-smelling blooms, fresh vegetables, and lush greenery.

Experts at Penn State’s Cooperative Extension offices in State College PA suggest gardeners may want to consider adding more than a touch of yellow to the mix. They advocate “yellow vegetables, such as yellow squash, onions, and yellow peppers,” because those are among easily grown edibles that provide fiber your body needs.

But don’t limit the range of colors in your garden, extension agents caution. “Each color of vegetable offers unique health benefits,” they explain.

Only 5 percent of Americans get enough daily fiber, according to the American Heart Association. Although required amounts vary among people of different ages, fiber is a prime ingredient for good gut health. There’s even a term now trending on social media – “fibermaxxing” – about adding more fiber to diets.

Fiber-rich produce can be easy to grow in home gardens. Some varieties are particularly good for those with confined growing spaces, or on a budget. The reason: gardeners can harvest goods several times from the same plants.

Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash+, used under license