These aren't really stucco homes. They are called EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finish Systems), plywood, with a layer of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam™), GLUED on and covered with wire mesh (chicken wire) to hold the finished layer, then painted, the nice grey/taupe/beige haze that covers the suburbs.
During the oil crisis of the early and mid 1970s, EIFS becomes popular with energy-conscientious builders and buyers, who sometimes see energy bills halved. EIFS
began by being used almost exclusively in the commercial building market, and was only gradually adopted for use in homes. By 1980, EIFS cladding accounted for one-half of 1 percent of the residential housing market, and
by 1995 nearly 200 million square feet (18,580,608 m2) of EIFS were being installed annually on exterior walls in North America.
The problem is moisture gets between the plywood and the styrofoam and the wood rots..... unless the wall is absolutely perfect.
Read all about it here
http://dspinspections.com/eifs_facts.htm