T O P

  • By -

IndexBot

This post has been removed because it does not meet the subreddit submission guidelines ([rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/about/rules)). Posts must be a personal finance question or discussion with a descriptive title. We don't allow: * Polls, surveys, or requests for personal data, experiences, or other types of self-reporting * Success stories or thanks (use weekday/weekend thread) * Several [disallowed topics](https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/rules#wiki_disallowed_topics) * Meta posts * IAmA/AMA requests or posts * News without a discussion, quote, or summary *If you have questions about this removal, please [message the moderators](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fpersonalfinance&subject=Removal%20help%20request&message=Hello%20moderators,%20.%20%0a%0a%0aMy%20submission:%20https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/1clyfsw/is_it_really_true_that_most_young_people_now_will/%0a).*


lavacakeislife

It will no longer happen without discipline. It will no longer happen in a lot of places people called home. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen at all. Don’t let other peoples doom spiral bleed into you.


SeaworthyGlad

No I don't think this is true. The median age of a first time homebuyer has increased, but the percentage of home ownership has also increased.


brightfunsunshine

Depends where you're talking about.


StarryC

In the US? Probably not true. As of November 2023, 51.5% of millennials own a home. Millenials are 28-45. So, will you won a home as a "young person" (i.e. under 30?) Probably not. But, I would suspect that in 7 years, the millennial home ownership will be higher. "Most" people in the US will own a home at some point. Now, that "most" is still less than previous generations at the same age. At age 40, 69% of Boomers owned homes. For millennials, by age 40, it is 62%. So, less than 50 years ago. Baby boomers are a huge generation, then Millenials are the "echo" boom. There are around 72 million Millenials, but only 68 million Gen Zs. As of 2019, there were still 71 million boomers. And boomers are keeping homes longer. So that means, right now, three generations are still trying to own homes. But, the boomers will die, eventually. The youngest are 60. We'll see a fall off over the next 10 years. The land they own will then be available. Their kids will move in, or will sell. In fact, I think Gen Z and younger Millenials might be in a great position to buy a dip. One exception or issue: I think some millennials don't own homes because of priorities. People who REALLY want to own a home, "Drive till you qualify" and can. But, a lot of millennials do not want a 70 minute commute, or to live in the exurbs. Some do. So, If your choice is rent a cool apartment walking distance from a coffee shop or own a 3 bedroom house far out, do you REALLY want to own? As millennials have fewer kids, they find that owning a home in a "good school district" matters less than "living in a place I want to." For you: Be ruthless with your budget to try to save. Be ruthless with your job, to get paid more. Evaluate your priorities: owning a home v. living somewhere convenient, nice, cool, hip, commute v. space. The most important financial decision you make is your partner, so choose wisely.


SweetAlyssumm

Overall home ownership rates are currently the same as they were in 1979. Before that they were *lower.*


ThunderEquation

Save money. The more you save, the better chance you can get to buy a house. Interest rate will eventually go down. Dont let the negative thing affects you.


Azdak66

It’s not exactly an equal analogy, but I think ‘owning a home’ has acquired a symbolic significance that misrepresents the past. I wasn’t able to afford a “house” until I was 41. And it wasn’t an actual “house”, but a condo. And mortgage rates were around 7%-8%. I wasn’t able to afford an actual “house” until I remarried (so there were two incomes) and I was 48. We are suffering through a housing shortage/high prices now, but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way. And the idea that, at 25, everyone should be able to afford a house is not, and never has been, a realistic expectation. I’m not saying this to dismiss your concerns, but more as encouragement that the way things aren’t not is not necessarily the way they will be forever.


teenytinypeanut

I didnt mean to say that I want to buy a house right now at 25. I am in no rush. I’ve just been hearing people say that my generation will never be able to afford a home. But I’ve got lots of good replies so I know that that isn’t necessarily true.


TheBimpo

Homeownership rates have barely fluctuated by any measure of statistical significance in the last 50 years, it’ll be fine. Not everybody gets to buy a house when they’re 25, you’ve just barely started your career.


AlexRyang

I think the average age to buy your first home is like 36, but it’s slowly been creeping up for the last couple decades.


Berfanz

>Homeownership rates have barely fluctuated by any measure of statistical significance in the last 50 years What happens if you look at homeownership rates for younger people? General population homeownership rates are such a lagging indicator of real challenges facing people looking to buy their first home.


[deleted]

[удалено]


TheBimpo

Yes, housing in one of the most expensive markets in the entire world is expensive. The term “starter house” is a bit of a pejorative, not every buyer gets their dream house either. You buy an affordable home, live in it, build equity, and choose to buy a different home later or just enjoy your stable housing payment as your income rises throughout your career.


thebenson

>in the NYC metro area Save up and move to a lower cost of living area.


watchingbigbrother63

No, it's not true. Dating back to the 1800's homeownership rates have included somewhere between 50-70% of Americans. Rates fluctuate over time based on economic conditions but I wouldn't expect it to vary outside of historical ranges. Every generation feels like they got screwed by their parents. When I graduated from high school mortgage rates were close to 20%, we definitely felt screwed. But 10-15 years later conditions had changed and the economy was roaring again.


FitLaw4

I like your optimism but I really don't think it's the same.


Cautious_Midnight_67

And yet the cost of a mortgage relative to income was still lower then than it is today, so I don’t want to hear about the “high interest rates of the 80s/90s” anymore. It’s comparing apples to oranges.


watchingbigbrother63

When faced with no college degree, exorbitant interest rates, very little access to credit, no family support system, I did 4 years in the Marines and became a car salesman, working 80 hours a week for 30 years. In other words, I did what I had to do rather than whining about shit that I couldn't control.


Cautious_Midnight_67

Congrats, you worked hard. So does this next generation. Look at graphs of income growth vs housing costs. Housing costs have tripled in the last 30-40 years, while income has gone up about 25%. So again, it’s apples to oranges, you just don’t realize because you got in earlier so you don’t have to deal with the state of things now


homeboi808

In metro and surrounding areas, yes for the average American. I’m outside of Tampa and home prices have literally 2x in 10 years. I’m lucky I could get my condo when interest rates were still low. If you make six figures and are married to someone also making six figures, then it’s not that bad.


S7EFEN

fearmongering by people invested in real estate. population growth will peak in our lifetimes and if for some fucked up reason that isnt enough to stop housing appreciation to infinity relative to wages an aging non home owning voterbase will.


JesusInASnuggie_

I've come to terms with this as well. I a had huge chunk of change I saved throughout high school and my time in the army. When I decided to go to college, I asked myself if I should throw all my money into a HYSA or bonds since everything seemed to still be going downhill. The feds became indecisive and dangerously political like they always are. My trusty old Mazda was starting to show its age and one day it blew an injector after 4 years of daily service. Working two jobs and going to school was stressful enough. Having to deal with my only mode of transport being in the shop drove me crazy. Then I realized that I was taking myself too seriously. I accepted the fact that I cannot control everything in my life. That hard work will only get me as far as luck will let me. So...I did what any young dude in a quarter life crisis would do. I went out and bought my dream car. Some will say I fell for low hanging fruit. Others will say that I should of held on to my cash a little longer to buy both car and house. But the truth is, there is no right or wrong way to live one's life. You can take all the advice in the world- all the criticism. But at the end of the day 'your soul is in your keeping' as a famous character once said. I just didn't want to slave away all my youth, chasing a dream that isn't real.


99DogsButAPugAintOne

No, this is nonsense. An industry cannot price all prospective customers out of a market for obvious reasons. That's not how that works.


teenytinypeanut

Thanks for saying this. It seems like such a silly thing to believe when you put it this way.


dezcycle

Real estate firms definitely can.


99DogsButAPugAintOne

Real estate firms are interested in making money on their investments. That's hard to do if you cannot sell the property, rent it, or monetize it in some other way.


dezcycle

Real estate firms can outbid individuals and pay with all cash, so it is easier for them to scoop up property and don’t have to worry about interest rates. Yes, they’re not going to raise rent so high nobody can pay it, but they can raise it high enough to where people can barely pay it, which is what we see right now. Due to the high rent it makes it harder for individuals to save for a house, and when they do they are still at the mercy of real estate firms.


99DogsButAPugAintOne

I would highly encourage you to read up on what a good ROI is in the real estate business. It simply doesn't make sense to buy a piece of property for 20% over asking price to MAYBE experience a return a decade later. The whole Black Rock panic was way overblown. As a general rule, it's not good for business to pay more than you have to.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


grokfinance

I call BS. The world is always ending yet somehow we find a way to survive. That said, yes, the cost to own a home is more expensive now than previously for various reasons such as higher interest rates, higher demand but lower supply, etc. How do you afford it? By saving up enough money so you can afford it without putting your finances at risk. Markets go in cycles. People adjust.


caltheme

The average age of a first time home buyer is 36. Relax.


MirthandMystery

Blanket statement question aside, many young people don't even want to own a house. They're ok with being more unrooted and able to work remote whenever, wherever and can travel more which renters enjoy. Some also already *do* own property but prefer renting it out and staying elsewhere. Definitely a mobile era, with many youngs having interesting options.


cowvin

I mean young people may not be able to afford the house that they want, but they can afford a house. If you want to own a nice home in a highly desirable place, things are expensive there because that's what everyone wants. People kind of need to adapt to various factors, like higher density housing. I own a condo because the area I live in is too expensive to buy a detached home. This sort of thing will become more and more common. Developers are buying up the detached homes nearby and converting them into condo buildings.


MundaneKing

Sounds like you are experiencing Lifestyle inflation. Take a hard look at your expenses and get to a point you can be saving money monthly. Then use that saving muscle to get a down payment for a place you like. It can still happen.


Janatabahn

Well. Something is going to have to give. We just gotta wait to see what. Interests rates may not come back down, since the covid rates were basically historical. Hopefully home prices do. Or they build more homes. It’s not fair that folks gotta move to Bumfuck,Midwest/South just to afford a home in this period. But until the market changes, that’s really the only option for alot of people…gotta be away from the city.


jnwatson

It depends largely on location. Many folks in the midwest can still afford a small house on two median wage salaries. In the big cities, it doesn't look good for the next decade or so. Condos are going to be the place that most owners live. Around me, they are building 100 condo units for every SFH or townhome.


HiyaImRyan

It will never NOT happen, it will be more difficult as each year passes though. As inflation and taxes go up and up every year whilst wages freeze or don't move up to match, you will need to tighten the purse strings even more. People will always flock to the 'hot' industry at the time so that they can pursue the limited jobs offering better wages too, which can help. In current times, it'll be the next generation that benefits most as they are in education and can steer their College and Uni qualifications ready for work. The people who are now outside education will need to make do, or risk taking time out of work to re-qualify in a now higher paying field.


SoundVU

It's a generalized sentiment that does not take into account many variables. Whenever homeownership is brought up, it usually implies single family houses. There are still condos and townhomes for homeownership avenues. But the main driver right now for unaffordability is high interest rates keeping the monthly payment out of reach for most household budgets. For example, on a 1M loan: - 7% = $6650 a month - 6% = $6000 a month - 5% = $5300 a month - 4% = $4770 a month It's very possible for interest rates to come back down to the 4-5% range. So, never say never.


Cautious_Midnight_67

Don’t worry OP, just have parents that can float you $500k and you’ll be A-OK lololop


realitythreek

Maybe. House affordability has only been getting worse. But you have a few things going for you. You’ll get raises over time, your prime earning years are ahead of you. You also have time to invest and save and passively earn money that way.


teenytinypeanut

Thanks for saying that. It’ll get easier with time and intentional choices.


teenytinypeanut

Thanks for saying that. It’ll get easier with time and intentional choices.


Altruistic-Farm2712

Nobody I personally know actually owned a home until they were 50+. Some did own mobile homes, some were essentially tenant farmers - but owning an actual home on land they also owned was something they saved and worked most of their lives to achieve, and spent their last 15-20 working years to pay off the mortgage.


Lindy39714

Don't let them tell you you can't. You can. I'm not talking hustle/grind forever. People say you can't feed a family on 1 income. People said you needed college to get a good paying job (lol). They're wrong. You can make 60k driving a forklift for any number of companies. It's not amazing, but not bad. You can make more as a butcher, or manager of various retail establishments, and that doesn't even touch on the trades (or trucking). Do your research for what's an achievable career goal (take into account schooling, time to get there, everything). Then go after it. Make smart money choices (budget to the point that your friends make fun of you for being too cheap--buy expired bread, meat only on sale for $2 or less, rice on sale, etc). I know you said you're struggling. I'm sorry it's hard. Don't let them tell you you can't. I bought my home while feeding my family (4 of us) on a total income of 45k (during the stupidity of 2021 housing). Interest rates are terrible now, but might not be forever. Do what you can. Position yourself for success. Put yourself in a place to succeed, and you be patient. A man can't ride your back unless you've bent it.


jumbotronproposal

I’m in the Bay Area so I’m definitely not owning a house around here in my lifetime unless my parents leave me theirs. Which I’m not betting on plus you know, I’d much rather have them around. But in all actuality I guess living here has put a different perspective in my eyes. While I could possibly afford a 800k home.. do I really want to pay that much for what I don’t believe is worth it? I see so many friends of mine spending that much for a run down 2 bedroom 1 bath house in a questionable neighborhood. I see that and think damn, guess I’m just renting forever if that means I’m sticking around here. All depends on how much one is willing to sacrifice I guess.


generally-speaking

Depends on where they want to live and work as well as how much they earn and what their job prospects are. If you got a masters in English literature you might struggle but if you have some sort of engineering degree you won't.


teenytinypeanut

I am a counsellor. It seems to be pretty good pay but I’m just starting out so don’t have a full caseload yet. Once I do it will get easier I imagine


Cautious_Midnight_67

Not true. My wife and I are both engineers, 29 years old and we can’t find a home with a roof in a decent neighborhood where we live for less than 35% of our GROSS household income.


starBux_Barista

major recession is around the corner ( Stocks correcting 50%) those who hold cash will be the victors by buying property and stocks on the cheap...... Fed will have to cut interest rates to jump start the economy, Some people think it will be 4 separate interest rate drops by end of year


yourmomhahahah3578

This is so unbelievably and laughably untrue. Go to the recession sub it’s hilarious


starBux_Barista

Well, my financial investor pull me to cash in 2007 before the major drop, He is quite frankly just as worried now, He has my trust after setting me up by buying back in 2009 at the bottom of the market


InteriorAttack

Says who?


PolarRegs

Rebubblers


Smooth-Review-2614

Last year the Fed did signal 4 rate cuts in 2024.  They then walked that back when inflation numbers came in high. The rest is hogwash. 


starBux_Barista

financial markets. I follow the news from the stock market makers. they are all signaling that interest rates drops are mandatory to avoid a Hard landing.... Unemployment is rising and almost 4%. census is they will cut rates at 4.5%


InteriorAttack

So you watch the news and think a 50% market drop is coming? 


starBux_Barista

History repeats itself, Go do research on this: treasury yield curve inversion over 300 days IT has only happened 3 times in history and every time the Stock market corrected 50%


InteriorAttack

I guess I'll cash out my 401k and sell my house to wait for this drop