Buying a stucco house is generally considered a , but it carries a higher potential for hidden, high-cost issues than most other siding types. The risk isn't necessarily the material itself, which can last 50 to 100 years if properly installed, but rather how it manages moisture. The Core Risks

Stucco is ideal for dry, sunny climates like the Southwest. In wet or humid areas (e.g., the Northeast or Southeast), it faces a much higher failure rate because it rarely has time to fully dry out.

Homes built between the late 1980s and early 2000s are at higher risk. During this time, many builders switched from plywood to OSB sheathing (which holds water longer) and didn't always include proper drainage planes.