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Money Management

45% of Millennials Are Now Homeowners. See How Your Generation Stacks Up

By Money Management No Comments

Millennials had a slow start at homeownership, but are starting to catch up now. Find out more about how this generation and others have done here. [[{“value”:”

Image source: Getty Images

Buying a home has long been part of the American dream. For millennials especially, the Great Recession hit just in time for the oldest of them to have to delay jumping on that train early in life.

Fortunately, mortgage rates dropped into the 5% range immediately after the real estate crash and remained low through the recovery, giving this and other generations a chance to catch up with their home-buying goals while homes were still relatively inexpensive.

But since the COVID-19 pandemic, everything has been more expensive, and a lot of millennials feel like they’re never going to reach their financial goals. If you’re a millennial, the good news (or maybe the not-so-good news) is that if you haven’t started your home-buying journey, you’re hardly behind the times.

Let’s see what that looks like and how other generations compare.

Generational homeownership trends

It probably comes as no surprise that baby boomers (born 1946–1964) are most likely to be homeowners. After all, they’ve been in the workforce longer than almost anyone, and if they haven’t yet retired, they may be in senior level jobs with high incomes for their fields. In short, they can afford to be homeowners, even today.

Currently, 74% of boomers own their own homes. But this generation reached a 50% homeownership level in the mid-to-late 1980s.

The Silent Generation (born 1928–1945) have had solid homeownership levels since before data was collected. They’re only recently starting to see their homeownership rates drop. For 2023, that number was 70%.

This generation is likely seeing a decline in homeownership due to wealth transfer to younger generations when forming multi-generational households or outright selling their homes to move into senior specific housing.

Generation X (born 1965–1980) finally saw half of their population reach their homeownership goals around 2005, just in time for the Great Recession. But they largely managed to hold on to their homes through all of that chaos. Today, they’re sitting at a 65% homeownership rate.

Millennials (born 1981–1996) haven’t yet reached their 50% point, but it should be coming soon. They’re currently at 45% homeownership, as of 2023, but are showing a steep upward trend. They’re determined to buy a home, it seems, despite the current market conditions.

Generation Z (born 1997–2012), surprisingly, already can call 8% of its population homeowners. A few got their start with homeownership very early.

Generation2023 Homeownership RateSilent (1928–1945)70%Baby Boomers (1946–1964)74%Generation X (1965–1980)65%Millennial (1981–1996)45%Generation Z (1997–2012)8%
Data source: Apartmentlist.com.

Where do millennials buy homes?

According to a study by ApartmentList.com, millennials are buying in every size city and town, but are seeing most of their success in lower-population areas.

In fact, the millennial homeownership rate in non-metro areas is the highest, at 50% homeownership. Metro areas under one million people still boast high millennial ownership at 44%, more or less at the national average.

From there, it gets more grim, with millennials in cities between one and five million people owning just 41% of the time. And in cities with over five million people, millennials own just 33% of the time.

Millennials have done well in the Midwest, with cities like Minneapolis, Grand Rapids, Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis, and St. Louis boasting ownership rates of 50% or higher.

Home-buying tips for every generation

Buying a home today is extremely challenging, and it’s likely to get harder now that rates are set to drop further. People who’ve been sitting on the sidelines may well be ready to reenter the fray. So, to stay competitive in the housing market, keep these tips in mind.

Get a pre-approval letter before you shop

Some markets are still having multiple offer situations on the best homes, and you don’t want to be caught empty handed if you’re in one of them. Talk to a mortgage lender — or a few — and get a full pre-approval before you shop so if you make an offer, you look like a serious buyer.

Be prepared for the expenses of home buying

You’ll need a lot of money to buy a home, even if you’re getting a loan. Unless you’re using a specific first-time home buyer program, you’ll need at least 3.5% of the sale price for your down payment, plus significant additional cash for closing costs, prepaid items, home inspections and moving expenses. Your lender will be able to give you a rough estimate of how much cash you’ll need to bring to closing.

It will be a marathon, not a sprint

Unless you’re incredibly lucky, you’ll likely spend weeks or months looking at homes. You can speed up the process by knowing what you’re looking for — online home listings can give you a real sense of what to expect in your price range. Wait until you’re pre-approved to start looking online, though, or you may set yourself up for a big let down if you start out by looking in the wrong price range.

No matter your age, owning a home can give you a sense of security and allow you to create some generational wealth to pass on to your children or other family members. It’s not for everyone, but if it’s for you, be patient and make careful decisions with this major purchase.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Kristi Waterworth has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Need $1,000 Fast? A New IRS Rule Lets You Pull It out of Retirement Savings

By Money Management No Comments

Learn how the new emergency personal expense withdrawal rule works and how it can impact your retirement plans. [[{“value”:”

Image source: Getty Images

Pulling money out of retirement accounts generally means paying income tax on the withdrawal, plus a 10% penalty. There’s a good reason for this — the more you pull out of your retirement accounts, the less you’ll have to live off in retirement. You’re also forfeiting any future growth.

But a new IRS rule passed as part of the SECURE Act 2.0 in July of this year allows Americans to withdraw $1,000 a year from their 401(k) or IRA for emergency personal expenses. Here’s what this means and why you should tread carefully.

How the emergency personal expense withdrawal works

The SECURE Act 2.0 allows Americans to withdraw $1,000 for emergencies, but there are some caveats. First, the withdrawal can’t take your retirement account balance under $1,000; you’ll also need to pay it back in three years or pay income tax on the money.

There are some loose rules regarding what money can be used for, but the IRS specifically states, “Whether an individual has an unforeseeable or immediate financial need relating to necessary personal or family emergency expenses is determined by the relevant facts and circumstances for each individual.”

Examples provided include:

Medical careLoss of property to an accidentPaying burial or funeral expensesAuto repairsAny other necessary emergency personal expenses

To apply for the emergency withdrawal, you’ll need to reach out to your plan administrator, who can request a written statement proving the withdrawal is genuinely a need. It’s also worth noting that this rule allows your retirement plan to offer this withdrawal, but doesn’t require that the provider offer it.

Consider the loss of long-term growth

You can use the emergency withdrawal provision once a year as long as your retirement account balance stays above $1,000. However, before you do, make sure you know how this could affect your long-term retirement savings.

If you pull $1,000 from your account today, you’re not just lowering your overall retirement account balance; you’re also losing out on long-term growth if you don’t pay it back.

The average return rate for a 401(k) is between 5% and 8%, which means you could lose out on an additional $490.83 and $1,219.64 in growth over the next 10 years for each withdrawal. Plus, if you don’t pay it back, you’ll have to pay income tax on the withdrawal.

Should you use the emergency personal expense withdrawal?

Most Americans cannot cover a $1,000 emergency expense from their savings account. If you’re about to lose your job because you can’t get your car fixed, then use the withdrawal. If knowing you can pull money out means you are more comfortable going to the doctor, then use the withdrawal.

But do your best not to use this withdrawal method if you can avoid it. The magic of investing happens when your money has time to grow. First, pull from all other accounts, including savings and post-tax investment accounts. For example, if you have a certificate of deposit (CD), it might be worth paying the fee to withdraw the money early.

However, having the option to pull money from retirement accounts without a penalty can provide a safety net for many people — just use it wisely.

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How Innovative Costco Apartments Could Lower Housing Costs

By Money Management No Comments

Did you know that Costco apartments are being built in Los Angeles? See how living above a Costco warehouse could be a new type of affordable housing. [[{“value”:”

Image source: Getty Images

Costco is a great place to buy everything from hot dogs to TVs to vacations — but what if you could live at Costco, too? An innovative new housing development just broke ground in South Los Angeles, and it’s combining Costco’s affordable prices with new affordable housing. And the rent at the new Costco apartments might be less than many people’s monthly credit card bill.

The new housing development is called the 5035 Coliseum project, and it combines 800 apartments built on top of a Costco warehouse. The apartments are not owned by Costco or rented by Costco; Costco’s warehouse will be a retail tenant of the building. But Costco was chosen by the developers in part because of its company values of low prices and fair wages for workers.

Let’s look at what the new Costco apartments in California could mean for the future of housing costs.

Why Costco and affordable housing are a winning team

Los Angeles has one of America’s most severe shortages of affordable housing, with a regional shortage of about 500,000 homes. Like other big cities, there’s just not enough supply of housing to keep up with demand — and this has caused housing prices to skyrocket.

One way to improve the problem of affordable housing is to build more. Some cities also use dedicated affordable housing projects, with rents set at a certain level for people who earn lower incomes.

The new Costco apartment project in Los Angeles is combining market-rate housing with dedicated affordable housing. Of the 800 apartment units, 184 are designated for low-income housing, with monthly rent plus utilities set at $1,040 and available to families earning $41,610 per year.

One of the housing developer partners told CBS News that “Costco’s principles and mission fit seamlessly with our vision for this project.” California housing activist Joe Cohen told SFGate that he is “definitely in support of” the Costco apartment project, and that most of the feedback he’s seen to his social media posts about it have been positive.

“It surprised me to see it being viewed so favorably,” Joe Cohen said. “I think a big part of that is the trust that people have in the Costco brand…Like, if they’re doing it, it must be a good thing.”

Could there be more Costco apartments in the future?

The first Costco apartment complex in Los Angeles is a unique situation. The housing developers are using a new California law, Assembly Bill (AB) 2011, that is intended to speed up the approval of new mixed-use affordable housing projects.

One reason why many places in America have a shortage of affordable housing is because it takes too long (and costs too much) for new housing to be built, with lengthy bureaucratic delays and regulatory approvals. If AB 2011 can speed up the process for approval, development, and construction of new housing like the Costco apartments, this could be a big difference-maker in creating a more abundant supply of housing.

Costco apartments can be a win-win-win for communities like South Los Angeles. Residents get hundreds of new homes, the neighborhood gets a new Costco selling groceries and fresh produce, and the local economy benefits from new jobs and growth.

The neighborhood where Costco’s new apartments are being built in Los Angeles has also been described as a food desert, with a shortage of local grocery stores selling fresh produce and healthy food. This is another reason why the Costco apartment project is such good news — it’s going to make it easier for people in South L.A. to buy fresh fruit and vegetables and eat healthier at home.

Bottom line

America has a huge crisis of affordable housing. Ideas like the Costco apartments project could help more homes get built — and the residents get to live close to Costco. If I lived above Costco, I would shop there everyday! Costco’s new location in South Los Angeles is offering an exciting vision of affordable housing and retail all in one place, in a neighborhood that had been struggling without it.

If Costco and its partners can find other opportunities for affordable mixed-use housing and retail, this could help reduce housing costs and make life better for other communities. Many Costco members believe in shopping at the warehouse store, not just to maximize their Costco rewards, but because they support the vision of Costco as a forward-thinking company and responsible corporate citizen.

Costco’s affordable apartment project in L.A. could strengthen that brand image — with real-world results.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Maker. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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How to Fund a Small Business Without Traditional Loans

By Money Management No Comments

Looking for start-up cash? Check out these five creative ways to raise capital that do not require you going into debt. [[{“value”:”

Image source: Getty Images

I have started three different businesses, and all three were funded in three different ways:

The first business was my law firm. I funded it with a loan from a friend.The second business was my content company. I self-funded that one with sales to potential clients, as well as our own funds and resources.The third business was a website (that I later sold to Mark Cuban). It was funded by an investor.

The moral of the story is that there are, as they say, more ways than one to skin a cat. This is especially true when it comes to funding a small business. Let’s look at five options that do not require a traditional bank loan.

1. Friends and family

This was my first choice for my first business and it is the first choice for many new entrepreneurs for a lot of good reasons: Repayment terms should be easy and friendly. Loved ones typically do not require high interest rates nor strict repayment guidelines. This alone makes this option incredibly attractive.

But there are risks. Dinner with Uncle Joe won’t be so pleasant if your startup was rougher than you anticipated and you didn’t pay him back in a timely manner. (Note, we did not say there would be no time guidelines, only that they would likely be flexible. “Flexible” is not the same as “never.”)

There are two ways to avoid this unenviable fate. First, structure the payment as a gift, maybe as an advance on an inheritance. That way there is nothing to give back. Second, lacking that option, have the loan formalized by a lawyer and treat it like the professional obligation that it is.

Both you and Uncle Joe will be happy if you manage it that way.

2. Crowdfunding

Traditionally, there were only two ways to fund a business through history. The first was called “debt financing.” Under debt financing. you take out a loan and then you pay it back. Pretty simple.

The second way is called “equity financing.” Here, you sell a portion of the business to an investor/partner. Think Shark Tank. The problem with bringing on a partner is that, well, you will have a partner.

Crowdfunding is altogether different. With crowdfunding, you neither take on a debt nor do you bring on a partner. Instead, the crowd funds your business and in return, you give the crowd some sort of reward. If you open a hand-thrown clay pottery store for example, you could name different pots after your crowdfunding investors. That’s their repayment.

Crowdfunding is a popular method to raise money and create excitement around your new venture. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow you to present your business idea to the public and collect small investments from many backers.

Additionally, crowdfunding not only helps you raise capital, but it also validates your business idea while building a customer base. A successful campaign depends on a compelling pitch and attractive rewards for your supporters.

3. Supplier financing

Here is an idea that few people know about, but which really is quite legitimate and valuable.

If your business involves selling physical inventory, supplier financing could be a great way to get the cash you need to fill the coffers, or, at a minimum, to get the products you need to line the shelves — and without having to shell out big bucks.

Here’s how it works. If you have a potential supplier or wholesaler who believes in you and your vision, you might be able to get them to either A) give you a loan to get started, or B) give you product on consignment.

Why would they do that? Because if it works, they just made a valuable customer for life, that’s why.

4. Barter

Bartering is as old school as it gets, but it is still an option.

I once had a client who owned a construction business that required extended bankruptcy proceedings. We bartered for a year. I helped him restructure his business, and he re-did my house with built-in bookshelves, a cabana, a new deck, and so on. A classic win-win.

These days, barter has gone high-tech with online barter exchanges available. Look into places like BizX and Barter Network.

5. Grants

Grants are an excellent way to fund your small business because they do not have to be repaid. Many government programs, nonprofits, and private organizations offer grants to help small businesses get off the ground or grow. While the application process can be competitive and time-consuming, grants can be worth the effort because they are essentially free money.

Check out sites like Grantify.com or Grants.gov to learn more.

Yes, it can be done

While traditional loans are the common way to fund a small business, they are not the only way. Alternative funding is having a moment and it would behoove you to check out the various options.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Prediction: This Will Be the Single Biggest Impact of the Fed’s Rate Cuts

By Money Management No Comments

One type of falling interest rates could result in trillions of dollars of economic activity. Keep reading to learn about it. [[{“value”:”

Image source: Getty Images

Do you know just how much wealth Americans have in the form of equity in their homes? It might shock you.

According to the latest data, Americans are sitting on an incredible $32.8 trillion in home equity. This is more than double the amount of equity they had in 2017, primarily thanks to the 2021–2022 home price surges. And it’s four times as much equity as American homeowners had in 2012.

However, homeowners are often reluctant to tap into it. Not because they don’t have big projects to finance or have some other use for the money, but because with higher mortgage rates, it doesn’t make good financial sense to take equity out of a home for many people.

There are three main ways homeowners can access their equity: refinancing, obtaining a home equity loan, or using a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

Why are few homeowners using their equity?

Using a cash-out refinance to access equity is typically the easiest and most financially practical option. We saw a massive surge in cash-out refinances in 2020 and 2021, when home values rose rapidly and mortgage rates were near record lows.

However, few homeowners are using cash-out refinancing anymore because of rising mortgage rates. For context, the number of cash-out refinances peaked at almost 730,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, they had fallen to just 44,000. That’s a big difference.

To illustrate why, consider this example: Let’s say that you bought a home in 2021 for $500,000, and you took out a $400,000 mortgage with a 3% interest rate. This gives you a $1,686 monthly principal and interest payment.

Now, let’s say that in 2024, your home is worth $800,000 and you’re considering a cash-out refinancing to obtain $100,000 for home renovations. For simplicity, we’ll say you take out a new $500,000 mortgage at 6.5% interest and receive a check for $100,000 at closing.

The problem is that doing so would give you a new monthly payment of $3,160. Is it worth nearly doubling your monthly mortgage payment to tap into some of your equity? Probably not.

Home equity loans and HELOCs tend to have significantly higher interest rates than primary mortgages. As of this writing, the average mortgage rate in the United States is about 6.15%, but the average home equity loan rate is 8.46%.

The biggest impact of Fed rate cuts?

To be perfectly clear, I don’t foresee sub-4% mortgage rates coming back anytime soon, and I’ve yet to find a single expert who thinks they will. However, many believe rates will dip well into the 5% range in 2025 as the Fed continues to lower its benchmark rate following its 0.50% rate cut on Sept. 18.

This could make the mathematics of cash-out refinancing, home equity loans, and HELOCs work significantly better for many people. For example, it might not be worth replacing your 4% mortgage rate with 6.5% to tap into your equity. But what if you could get 5.25% or 5%? Or what if you could find a stand-alone home equity loan in the 6% range?

In a nutshell, Fed rate cuts and their downward pressure on mortgage rates could lead to a surge in Americans tapping into their home equity. This could result in trillions of dollars flowing into the economy and could be by far the most significant impact of the falling-rate environment.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Matt Frankel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Flow. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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How to Go Into Credit Card Debt and Never Come Out

By Money Management No Comments

You can’t dodge an invisible bullet. Find out how to go deep into credit card debt so you can avoid it. [[{“value”:”

Image source: Getty Images

With credit card debt rising to all-time highs, it kind of feels as if people are actively seeking ways to dive deeper into the bottomless repayment pit. After all, credit card debt is some of the most egregious debt there is. Thanks to their high interest rates, there’s no better way to build debt faster than by playing fast and loose with credit cards.

But how does one rack up credit card debt effectively, efficiently, and, dare I say, nigh-painlessly? The answer feels like a well-kept secret. There are no “how to go into debt” guides on Google. Even AI chatbots shy away from the question (“I apologize, but I cannot recommend ways to go into credit card debt or encourage financially harmful behavior.”)

Weak sauce. To paraphrase Charlie Munger, the best way to answer a question is often by inverting it. In the following article, we follow the steps of one of the greatest investors of all time by flipping the question of “how to avoid credit card debt” on its head.

Strap in your wallets and hold tight. What follows is a brief guide that shows you how to go into credit card debt and never come out — only feeling the sting of loss when it’s too late.

Make minimum payments only

Only make minimum payments on credit card balances to go into debt.

This is the easiest way to trick yourself into feeling OK while your finances inch closer to the bottomless cliff. Minimum payments are the minimum monthly payments you must make on your credit card without hurting your credit score…much.

For example, if your credit card balance is $100 and your minimum payment is $30, you can pay $30 of your $100 balance without your credit card company reporting a late payment. By avoiding a late payment, you avoid your credit score dropping like a boulder from a ledge.

But — and here’s the rub — your credit card company will charge you interest on your remaining balance. That $70 left on your balance? It’ll cost you. Assuming an APR of 20%, you’d be on the hook for an additional $14 on your next statement.

As your balance grows and grows, and your minimum payments remain flat, your monthly interest payments will snowball. Once your unpaid balance balloons to $700, your credit card’s 20% APR will cost you a whopping $140. Extrapolate out, and you see where this is going.

Note: Transferring debt to 0% APR credit cards will temporarily put a stop to interest payments. Consider one to extend (or reverse) your tumble into debt.

Ignore your credit utilization ratio

Stop paying attention to your credit utilization ratio to go into credit card debt.

It’s difficult to slide painlessly into debt while eyeballing your credit utilization ratio. It’s a real obstacle to ignorance. Essentially, this number tells you how much of your total credit you’re using. If you’re using a lot — say, more than 30% of your available credit — your credit score suffers.

Which gives us a good segway into the next tip.

Ignore your credit score and credit reports

Stop paying attention to your credit score to go into credit card debt.

Doing so could alert you to a veritable forest of red flags. You might see the slow and steady drop to your credit score as your credit utilization rises. You might witness the brutal effects of late payments on your score.

You might even catch errors on your credit report that are hurting your score. For example, you might notice a payment reported late when you actually paid it on time. Who cares? Not you.

Resist collection efforts

Resist the good-will efforts of others to get you to pay your credit card debt.

Once the warning signs become too apparent for you — and everyone around you — to ignore, you’ll probably be approached by your credit card company. A representative may call you and ask you to repay what’s owed. They may even offer you debt repayment plans to make it easier.

Tsk, tsk. This is one of the final obstacles to going into debt. Hang up the phone and ignore the calls. Your credit card company will eventually give up on you — approximately 180 days after you stop paying your ballooning minimum payments — and sell your debt to debt collectors.

At this point, you’re deep under and the fun has come to an end. If your balance is truly large, the only way to unbury yourself may be to go “clean slate” and declare bankruptcy.

There are many more ways to go into credit card debt

We’ve only scratched the surface of going into credit card debt. You can overspend, fail to track spending, take cash advances on credit, use a credit card as your emergency fund, and so much more.

But to go deep into credit card debt, one thing is universal: You must not pay off your credit card balance in full each month. Doing so will rob you of your opportunity to make your financial life difficult.

The flip side is also true: there are many more ways to avoid or delay going into credit card debt than mentioned here. Not sure where to find solutions? Check out The Ascent’s expert guide to paying off debt.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Cole Tretheway has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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