How Investor Age Can Impact Real Estate Investing Decisions

When making decisions about real estate investing, it's important to consider various factors. One of the most crucial may be your age. Contrary to popular opinion, age isn't just a number – it can significantly influence your investment choices and strategies.

In this post, we'll discuss how different ages can impact real estate investment decisions and the benefits and challenges for both young and older investors, and provide key insights to help you make informed choices.

Keep reading to discover how your age can shape your real estate journey and what strategies you can implement to achieve financial success, regardless of where you are.

At What Age Can You Buy Real Estate In The US?

There is no "right" or "wrong" age to buy real estate in the United States. You can purchase property at 8 years old or 80 years old. However, most states require that you be at least 18 years old to enter into a binding contract.

You can still get involved if you're considering buying property but are not quite 18. You'll need to work with a parent or legal guardian of age or set up a trust fund to purchase property on your behalf.

The Benefits of Investing At A Young Age

Here are some of the benefits of investing at a young age: 

More Time to Invest

One of the biggest benefits of buying young is investing more time. This means that you can afford to take more risks - and wait longer for your investment to appreciate. 

Ability to Compound Your Returns

Another benefit of investing at a young age is that you can compound your returns. This means that your money will grow exponentially - due to the power of compounding. 

Additionally, you have more time to wait for the property's value to increase. 

For example, if you are buying a house in Sacramento that needs repairs, you may need to wait a few years for the value to increase before selling it at a profit. 

If you're older, you may not have the luxury of time and may need to sell the property sooner. 

Asset Creation

The most important thing for any investor is to create assets. They can achieve this in many ways, but real estate investing is one of the most popular and effective methods. Regardless of age, all investors should focus on creating assets that will generate income and appreciate over time.

More Time to Repay The Loan

Younger investors have more time to repay the loan than their older counterparts. For example, if you take out a 30-year mortgage, you'll have 30 years to repay the loan. This can make it easier to afford your monthly payments. 

More Energy

Investing in real estate can be a physically demanding endeavor. From touring properties to dealing with contractors, a lot of work goes into being a successful real estate investor. 

If you're young and have the energy to put into your investments, you may be more successful than older investors who don't have the same energy level. 

Retire Early

For some people, working well into their golden years is unbearable. And if that's how you feel, real estate investing may be a great way to achieve your goal of retiring early.

How does real estate investing help you retire early?

Well, if you can purchase property without taking on a mortgage, that's one less monthly bill you'll have to worry about once you retire. And if you're able to rent out your property, the rental income can provide a nice supplement to your retirement savings.

The Challenges of Investing at a Young Age

It's important to remember that being a minor can have some drawbacks regarding real estate investing. 

Some of these include:

Not Being Taken Seriously

Unfortunately, age can be a factor in whether or not you're taken seriously as an investor.

Some sellers may not take you seriously if you're young and trying to buy a property. This is especially true when dealing with older, more experienced investors.

Difficulty Securing Financing

It can also be difficult to secure financing as a young investor. Most lenders require a minimum credit score to approve a loan.

For example, to qualify for an FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment, you need a minimum credit score of 580. If your credit score is between 500 and 579, you can still qualify, but you'll need to make a 10% down payment. On the other hand, conventional loans generally require a minimum credit score of 620

If you're a young first-time buyer with limited credit history, it may be difficult to qualify for a loan, making it difficult to purchase a property.

Limited Work History

Another challenge that young investors face is a limited work history. This can make it difficult to qualify for a mortgage - most lenders require borrowers to have a steady work history to approve a loan.

Limited Savings

Young investors may also have a limited amount of savings. Consequently, it is challenging to determine a down payment on a property.

For example, the average down payment on a home in the United States is 20%. So, if you're looking at purchasing a $200,000 home, you'll need to come up with $40,000 for the down payment.

Higher Risk Tolerance

Lastly, young investors often have a higher risk tolerance than older investors. This means that they're more likely to take risks when buying property.

For example, a young investor may be more likely to invest in a fixer-upper property or a property that needs significant repairs. Conversely, older investors may be more conservative with their investment choices.

Should You Invest Now Or Wait?

This is a common question for people of all ages, but it's especially relevant for young investors. The age-old wisdom says that it's best to start investing early. And while there's certainly some truth to that, there are also some important factors to consider before deciding.

For example, if you're still in your 20s or 30s, you may be more likely to see higher returns over the long term if you wait to invest.

Also, you may have more time to ride out the ups and downs of the market. But if you're closer to retirement age, it's important to weigh the risks and rewards before making any decisions carefully.

However, if you're closer to retirement age, weighing the risks and rewards of investing now vs. waiting is important.

Of course, there's no right or wrong answer to this question. It ultimately depends on your circumstances and financial goals. But if you're trying to decide whether to invest now or wait, age is certainly one factor to consider.

The Bottom Line

Age is just one of many factors that can impact your investment in real estate. Remember that real estate investing can be a great way to build wealth and achieve your financial goals, regardless of age. So, if you're considering investing, don't let age hold you back—go live your dreams!

What do you think of this piece? Let me know in the comments.