Millennials hear it all the time–they are lazy, entitled, arrogant, and flaky. They often bail on tasks when they get too difficult and are definitely not known for their willingness to stick something out. Not only do a large majority of millennials avoid committing to a spouse or career; they also are avoiding perhaps the largest financial purchase of their lives, a home. According to Realtor.com, “about 20% of those between the ages of 18 and 34 are likely to be afraid of the long-term obligation (30 years, for the full term of a typical mortgage) that buying a home with a partner represents, according to a recent NerdWallet survey. That broke down to about 34% of young men and, not surprisingly, just 10% of young women.” So what is it that scares this generation out of making an investment in real estate? See below!
1 – They already have mountains of student debt. There is no denying that college tuition and fees have skyrocketed since the days Generation X loomed the halls of universities around the country. With so much money to pay out already, it can be difficult for millennials to take out yet another huge loan on an investment on a house of their own.
2 – It’s hard to save up a down payment. Obviously, this can be a feat when you are paying a ridiculous amount in rent and student loans. With most down payments ranging from 3% to 20% of the house price, this is not something to just casually save up for.
3 – There is less career stability. In today’s world of fast-paced resume reading and thousands of career sites, it can be easy to just find a better job and move for it. With a purchased home hanging in the back of your mind, millennials can fear they will miss a better job opportunity by being stuck with such a huge investment.
4 – Most millennials are single. Or at least maritally single, by any means. It is a well-known fact that young adults are waiting longer and longer to tie the knot. And, of course, when a person is single, it is much more difficult to save up for this kind of purchase, move in, and run a large household by oneself. The thought is honestly intimidating, and can be a reason why a twenty-something would put off home buying.
5 – Commitment is not for the faint of heart. With all these reasons stacked together, the ultimate reason millennials stray from home buying is their fear of commitment. There is no telling when circumstances can change, and the fear of loss on return on investment is too great for most millennials to take on at this point in their lives. However, there is always room to grow and hopefully be ready for that next step in the future!
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