‘We have that power’: As housing prices keep homeownership out of reach for countless Americans, here’s how some are making it work — plus how you can too

Co-buying with family or friends

Bass-Davis’s business model leans on the community to make housing more affordable. Consider researching similar avenues that you may be able to access within your own community.

The Federal Reserve’s latest numbers show that the median sales price of a home is $412,300.

If you plan to put a 20% down payment on a home — the traditional amount — then you’d need to have more than $80,000 on hand.

That’s over $20,000 more than most people make in one year, according to the latest salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This startling statistic has inspired some Americans to get creative when it comes to homeownership.

Kristina Modares found a way to get around these high prices. The Austin, Texas, resident pools her savings together with friends to purchase properties around the city. Since age 25, Modares has purchased six homes with her friends.

According to a survey from U.S. surety bond provider, JW Surety Bonds, 13% of Americans had purchased a home in recent years with a non-romantic partner, such as a sibling, friend, or parent.

This is because 25% of those who have bought homes with non-romantic partners said they couldn’t have afforded a home on their own.

However, there are downsides to this approach. People change and friendships can fall apart, putting your money and property at risk.

To hopefully prevent this from happening to you, it’s crucial to have frank discussions about money and property before you make any co-buying decisions with non-romantic partners.

It may be wise to involve a lawyer to ensure that everyone has proper legal protections in place should the plan fall apart. Think of it as a prenup, but for friends.

Invest in real estate without the headache of being a landlord

Imagine owning a portfolio of thousands of well-managed single family rentals or a collection of cutting-edge industrial warehouses. You can now gain access to a $1B portfolio of income-producing real estate assets designed to deliver long-term growth from the comforts of your couch.

The best part? You don’t have to be a millionaire and can start investing in minutes.

Learn More

An alternative real estate investment

If you’re wary of co-buying a home with friends or family, alternative real estate investments offer a low-cost entry into the housing market.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) generate passive income and are bought and sold just like stocks.

If you’re looking for exposure to real estate without the actual hassle of homeownership — no need to stress about broken furnaces or leaky roofs — REITs are a beginner-friendly investment that doesn’t require large amounts of money to invest.

It also allows you to diversify your portfolio across property types (apartment buildings or shopping centers, for example) and geographic locations.

Publicly-traded REITs offer the advantage of liquidity because investors can sell their shares at any time. This may be a preferable avenue for those who want to avoid any possible protracted legal struggles with a non-romantic co-owner down the road.