Who would benefit from raising the home-sale capital gains exclusion?

Raising the home-sale capital gains exclusion would mainly benefit long-time homeowners whose property has appreciated well beyond the current exclusion amount, since a higher exclusion would shelter more of their gain from tax at the time of sale. Homeowners in fast-appreciating markets, including parts of the Lowcountry, and older owners who have held a property for decades tend to be closest to or already over the current limit. A buyer or someone who purchased more recently would see less benefit, since their gain is typically smaller relative to what is already excluded. Brian Beatty can flag this issue for a longtime owner weighing when to sell.