A recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, half of whom are homeowners, found that 63% are confident they can accumulate property, investments, or other things with monetary value to be passed down from one generation to the next.
Of those respondents, nearly three-quarters (74%) believe they’ve already built generational wealth.
But homeownership isn’t the only way to do so: people who live with family and don’t pay rent (83%), and renters (75%), feel they, too, have already built generational wealth compared to homeowners (72%).
The most popular wealth-generating tool among homeowners is making improvements to increase the value of their home (26%) or subletting part of their primary residence (38%).
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of HomeLight, the survey also looked into other avenues for generational wealth building, including people’s plans to fund continuing education and business ventures.
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Overall, the poll shows that those with access to family support and the foundation of generational wealth are already on the path toward accruing wealth. 77% of people currently living with family plan to inherit a home.
The most expensive regions in the U.S.—the Northeast and the West—report the lowest homeownership rates, yet the highest numbers of those planning to inherit a home, at 63% of people and 57%, respectively. Overall, about two-thirds (64%) of millennials expect to inherit a home.
“Despite changes in the market, homeownership continues to be one of the most surefire ways to build generational wealth in the U.S. Home equity surged to a record $27.8 trillion in Q1, but rising interest rates and costs of living have started to curb demand for home buying,” said Vanessa Famulener, President of HomeLight Homes.
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“Those who have built up equity in their homes can take advantage of numerous tax, repayment, and interest rate benefits that home equity lending offers homeowners—especially to help bring costs down for value-add home improvements.”
However, over a third (34%) of homeowners have plans to sell their current home, compared to 20% who plan to live in it until they pass it down to their kids.
Fifty-seven percent are confident in their understanding of today’s housing market, including more millennials than baby boomers (60% vs. 49%) and 47% of people 77 and older.
However, less than half (45%) are confident they’ll sell their home at its highest value, with those in the West feeling the least confident (33%).
HOW DO AMERICANS PLAN TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH?
Invest in a residential property as co-owner and rent it out – 33%
Savings and investment program – 31%
Live in single-family home I own, in hopes its value will appreciate over time – 30%
Invest in/sell stocks and bonds – 29%
Invest in a single-family rental property as the sole owner – 28%
Rent out part of my primary residence – 28%
Start a business/franchise that I own/co-own – 28%
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