The median U.S. home bought last year was 36 years old — the oldest since at least 2012, per Redfin records.

Why it matters: A major construction slowdown "has fast-tracked the aging of America's housing stock," the real estate site reports.

Yes, but: That is not true in the Triangle, where the median sold home in Raleigh last year was nine years old — the fifth youngest in the country.

• Newer homes fetched a higher price than older ones as well, with homes less than five years old (41% of homes sold) having a median price of $434,700 and homes more than 30 years old (20% of homes sold) having a median price of $400,000.

Reality check: It's not that most buyers want older houses, which often come with dated infrastructure and higher upkeep. The U.S. hasn't built enough new ones, experts say.

• Just 9% of homes were built in the 2010s, after the global financial crisis — the smallest share for any decade since the 1940s, per Redfin.

The big picture: The number of homes built this decade is projected to remain historically low, even after construction picked up during the pandemic, particularly in the Sun Belt and Mountain West regions.

State of play: Home construction in Raleigh soared after 2020, especially in booming suburbs, like Apex, Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina.

• But even here, permits for home construction slowed last year, and many parts of the Triangle still suffer from enough inventory to meet demand.

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Boatman Spirits Co., a Mediterranean-themed restaurant and distillery from a group of Triangle hospitality veterans, is nearing its debut in downtown Raleigh.

Why it matters: At 7,000 square feet, Boatman will be the largest tenant yet to open in Seaboard Station, a mixed-use development on the northern end of downtown trying to cement itself as the city's next drinking and eating district.

Driving the news: Boatman will open its doors to the public Friday, June 13, starting with dinner hours only before adding a lunch menu in the coming weeks.

State of play: Boatman is the brainchild of longtime staples of the Raleigh dining scene, including Zack Thomas, who has helped run bars at places like The Crunkleton and Foundation; Aaron Lambert, formerly of Whiskey Kitchen; Geremy Prichard, the group's distiller who studied bioprocessing at N.C. State; and George Ghneim, a local veterinarian and restaurateur who previously owned the downtown restaurant Riviera.

Zoom in: Boatman will have a large distillery space, featuring a 240-gallon copper still, used to make gin; vodka; whiskey and rye; Arak, a Middle Eastern spirit and an Amaro featuring acorns as an ingredient.

• The restaurant side, which will have a view into the distillery, will have a large bar and several dining rooms tucked underneath archways and between columns.
• The menu includes Mediterranean staples like grilled halloumi, falafel, beef and lamb shawarmas and a lamb kofta burger. Dessert includes: tahini ice cream and stuffed dates.
• Boatman will also have a negroni aged in an amphora, a clay jar historically used by Greeks and Romans to store liquids.

Address: 713 Seaboard Station Dr., Raleigh

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🌊 N.C. State and UNC researchers are working together to create a new method to predict coastal flooding, which has been happening more than anticipated in the state. (WUNC)

💰 The Raleigh City Council approved a new budget that provides raises for city employee and doesn't raise property taxes. (ABC11)

Protesters gathered in Raleigh's Moore Square Monday afternoon in support of anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. (News & Observer 🔒)

🏀 The Duke Blue Devils will play the Texas Longhorns this fall at Spectrum Center in the inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational, a new men's college basketball event in Charlotte. (Axios)

The Michelin Guide will host the inaugural American South Ceremony on Nov. 3 at the Peace Center in downtown Greenville, S.C.

Why it matters: Michelin Guide Inspectors have been scoping out restaurants in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, which encompass the Guide's first new regional selection since its North American debut in 2005.

Driving the news: The invite-only ceremony will reveal which restaurants in the South region will receive Michelin stars and other top honors from The Michelin Guide.

What's next: During the Nov. 3 ceremony, Michelin Guide will honor restaurants with one, two and three Michelin Stars.

• Some restaurants will receive a Bib Gourmand, which is a "designation given to select restaurants that offer good quality food for a good value."

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