What Percentage of Millionaires Invest in Real Estate? (2024)

09 Sep 2021

What Percentage of Millionaires Invest in Real Estate? (1)

When Andrew Carnegie spoke, people listened. Carnegie is among the original industrialists who amassed great wealth. His wealth came from the booming steel business of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Nonetheless, he was aware that real estate also created wealth. According to Carnegie, 90% of millionaires reached that status by investing in real estate.

Millionaires invest in real estate because it creates wealth. If you purchase a property as your principal residence, it creates equity as you pay off the mortgage. Next, leverage the equity against the purchase of a second home. By renting out the second home, you create an income stream. For many, this venture is enough. Others take the project up a level.

For example, some investors accumulate a portfolio of properties. The portfolio provides several income streams. Another route is purchasing a multi-unit complex. Even if the complex only contains three or four units, that’s three to four income streams. Ideally, the rent pays off the mortgage associated with the property. The leftover amount after all expenses is your profit.

You can opt to reinvest the profit into the property or continue accumulating more until you reach millionaire status too.

Millionaires Invest in Real Estate Conclusion

If millionaires invest in real estate, others can try their hand at it too. The Australian housing market has provided an opportunity to several Australians. In 2018, the Australian Tax Office estimated that the country held two million investors. Our Mortgage House loan specialists offer several financial products for clients interested in real estate investing.

What Percentage of Millionaires Invest in Real Estate? (2024)

FAQs

What Percentage of Millionaires Invest in Real Estate? ›

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world have built their wealth through real estate. In fact, it's estimated that 90% of all millionaires invest in some form of real estate.

Is it true that 90% of millionaires make over $100000 a year? ›

Choose the right career

And one crucial detail to note: Millionaire status doesn't equal a sky-high salary. “Only 31% averaged $100,000 a year over the course of their career,” the study found, “and one-third never made six figures in any single working year of their career.”

Why 90% of millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Federal tax benefits

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

What percent of millionaires are invested in real estate? ›

What Do Millionaires Invest In? 40% of an average millionaire's assets consist of real estate. That's partly because real estate can be a great investment and partly because US property values are very high. Many millionaires have a significant percentage of their wealth tied up in their primary residence.

What percent of billionaires invest in real estate? ›

It might not come as a surprise, but nearly 90 percent of ultra-high net worth individuals got, and maintain, their wealth by investing in real estate. Granted, some high-net-worth individuals are more invested in real estate than others.

What percentage of Americans have a net worth of $1000000? ›

Key points. There are 5.3 million millionaires and 770 billionaires living in the United States. Millionaires make up about 2% of the U.S. adult population. While an ultra-high net worth will be out of reach for most, you can amass $1 million by managing money well and investing regularly.

How much is considered extremely wealthy? ›

You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth. That's how financial advisors typically view wealth.

Do 90% of millionaires come from real estate? ›

Billionaire industrialist Andrew Carnegie once said that 90% of millionaires got their wealth by investing in real estate. That alone should be enough for investors to at least consider this asset. But like any investment, real estate has both its pros and its cons.

Do all millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Reviewed by Dan Gatsby . Andrew Carnegie asserted that 90% of all millionaires became millionaires through real estate investing. While the world may have changed since Carnegie's time, today's millionaires and billionaires still share his enthusiasm for real estate investments because of the benefits they provide.

Do most millionaires own their homes? ›

The overwhelming majority of millionaires own real estate, making it by far the most popular alternative asset class. That includes their own home, second homes, investment properties, and fractional ownership of investment properties through partners or programs like Arrived Homes and Roofstock One.

What percentage of millionaires have a mortgage? ›

Nearly a third of Millionaires have a first mortgage, with an average loan balance of $155,000. Twelve percent of Millionaire investors also have a second mortgage or home equity loan, with an average loan balance of $62,000. Younger investors are far more likely to have a first and second mortgage.

What do 90% of millionaires make over? ›

90% of millionaires make over $100,000 a year. Once you have a $500 emergency fund, you should . . .

How much of net worth should be in real estate? ›

Experts say between 25-40% of your net worth should be in real estate because that asset class allows investors to capitalize on the benefits of real estate ownership—like passive income, equity, and appreciation—as you pursue other methods of investment and wealth development.

What investment makes the most millionaires? ›

No matter how much their annual salary may be, most millionaires put their money where it will grow, usually in stocks, bonds, and other types of stable investments. Millionaires put their money into places where it will grow such as mutual funds, stocks and retirement accounts.

Is real estate the best asset? ›

On its own, real estate offers cash flow, tax breaks, equity building, competitive risk-adjusted returns, and a hedge against inflation. Real estate can also enhance a portfolio by lowering volatility through diversification, whether you invest in physical properties or REITs.

What is the top 5% of Americans by net worth? ›

Additionally, statistics show that the top 2% of the United States population has a net worth of about $2.4 million. On the other hand, the top 5% wealthiest Americans have a net worth of just over $1 million.

What is the average 60 year olds net worth? ›

Average net worth by age
Age by decadeAverage net worthMedian net worth
40s$693,583$140,159
50s$1,257,943$312,890
60s$1,603,384$489,261
70s$1,629,514$415,015
4 more rows

What is the average net worth of a 70 year old? ›

The average net worth of Americans aged 65 to 74 hovers around $1.2 million. The median net worth is lower, at $164,000. The typical 70-year-old has around $105,000 in debt, including mortgages, home equity loans, credit cards and student loans, as measured by the Fed's data.

What net worth is considered upper class? ›

You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth. That's how financial advisors typically view wealth.

Does high net worth include 401k? ›

Do you include a 401(k) in a net worth calculation? All of your retirement accounts are included as assets in your net worth calculation. That includes 401(k)s, IRAs and taxable savings accounts.

What income is considered upper class? ›

$156,600

How many houses does the average rich person have? ›

The world's richest people owned on average about four homes in 2022.

How much do top 1% realtors make? ›

Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's safe to say that a top producer would have to sell at least one home per month to qualify. Top producers earn around $112,610 a year to start, according to the BLS. 1 Mega-stars could earn $500,000 per year and up.

Which will make you richer real estate or stocks? ›

Is real estate or stocks more profitable? Investments in real estate have historically earned 3% to 4% per year on average; contrasted to investments in stock market indexes earning approximately 10% annually over the long-term.

What bank do millionaires use? ›

Citi Private Bank is the private banking department of Citibank. Their services are reserved for worldly and wealthy individuals as well as their families. While eligible clients can get deposit accounts and retirement accounts as you'd find at any other bank, there are also many specialized products and services.

Is it smart to invest all your money in real estate? ›

Real estate has proven itself a worthy investment that provides cash flow and appreciation over time. Whether you're an aggressive or conservative investor, it's a great way to diversify your portfolio and can pay off in the short-term and long-term.

Are most millionaires real estate agents? ›

More importantly, real estate remains a wealth-building tool for the majority of moguls. An estimated ninety percent of millionaires were created through real estate investing. Any billionaire in the U.S. or anywhere around the globe that you know of has invested in real estate in some form or the other.

What percentage of Americans own homes free and clear? ›

The American Dream

The country with the highest free-and-clear homeownership rate in the list above was Lithuania at 83%. In the U.S., the free-and-clear homeownership rate was 23%. If free-and-clear homeownership is the American Dream, then apparently Lithuania and many other countries are living the American Dream.

Do rich people pay cash for their homes? ›

Most people take out mortgages because they can't afford to pay cash for a home. Some wealthy people could easily buy houses outright without borrowing. Rich people often still take out home loans anyway even though they could pay cash.

What percentage of real estate is wealth? ›

It is commonly agreed that allocating between 25 and 40 percent of your net worth to real estate ( including your home) allows you to capitalize on the advantages of real estate ownership while giving you plenty of flexibility to pursue other avenues of investment and wealth development.

Why do rich people buy houses under LLC? ›

While you could lose that single property to a lawsuit, it is a much better option than losing the property AND your personal assets. The cost of forming an LLC protects your house and other assets from landing in a future settlement or judgement.

Why do rich people buy condos? ›

They Are A Great Store Of Wealth

Luxury condos are in high demand because they are considered more stable than other investments like stocks or bonds. In addition, they provide a steady income and long-term appreciation that is not seen in other types of investments.

What do rich people invest in? ›

Ultra-wealthy individuals invest in such assets as private and commercial real estate, land, gold, and even artwork. Real estate continues to be a popular asset class in their portfolios to balance out the volatility of stocks.

What wealth puts you in the top 1%? ›

$42 trillion of new wealth was created between December 2019 and December 2021. $26 trillion (63 per cent) was captured by the richest 1%, while $16 trillion (37 per cent) went to the bottom 99 per cent. According to Credit Suisse, individuals with more than $1 million in wealth sit in the top 1% bracket.

What age do most millionaires become rich? ›

This is according to a study conducted by Ramsey Solutions, which is the largest study of millionaires to date. The average age of a millionaire is 49 years old, which means it takes them over 27 years of saving and investing to reach this status. This may seem daunting, but the truth is, it's never too late to start.

What percent of millionaires stick to their budget? ›

Instead, they choose to decide their way into wealth, and that usually comes down to living on the plans they make for themselves. That's why 93% of the millionaires we studied say they stick to the budgets they create, compared to 77% of the general population.

Do millionaires inherit their wealth? ›

Millionaires and the general population receive inheritances at the exact same rate. So, don't miss this: Millionaires are no more likely to get an inheritance than their neighbor who's swimming in debt. And if you do happen to get an inheritance, you're probably going to have to wait a long time to get one.

Do millionaires put their money in the bank? ›

High net worth investors typically keep millions of dollars or even tens of millions in cash in their bank accounts to cover bills and unexpected expenses. Their balances are often way above the $250,000 FDIC insured limit.

Do millionaires pay off debt or invest? ›

They stay away from debt.

Car payments, student loans, same-as-cash financing plans—these just aren't part of their vocabulary. That's why they win with money. They don't owe anything to the bank, so every dollar they earn stays with them to spend, save and give!

How much of your retirement should be in real estate? ›

If you're looking for a rule of thumb, adding 5% to 10% to your portfolio is a reasonable range. However, the best approach is to discuss with your financial advisor how adding real estate would best advance your goals.

What is a good net worth by age? ›

Between 35 to 44, the average net worth is $436,200, while between 45 to 54 that number increases to $833,200. Average net worth cracks the $1 million mark between 55 to 64, reaching $1,175,900. Average net worth again rises for those ages 65 to 74, to $1,217,700, before falling to $977,600 for someone over age 75.

Is $3 million enough to retire at 65? ›

If you retire at age 65 and expect to live to the average life expectancy of 79 years, your three million would need to last for about 14 years. However, if you retire at 55 and expect to live to the average life expectancy, your nest egg would need to last for about 24 years.

Do 90% of millionaires make over $100000 a year? ›

And one crucial detail to note: Millionaire status doesn't equal a sky-high salary. “Only 31% averaged $100,000 a year over the course of their career,” the study found, “and one-third never made six figures in any single working year of their career.”

What are the 3 things millionaires do not do? ›

He also identified three money habits that successful self-made millionaires avoid at all costs.
  • They don't have a wallet full of exclusive credit cards. ...
  • They avoid giving large gifts to their children, or supporting them financially as adults. ...
  • They don't spend hours managing their investments.
Nov 24, 2020

How many millionaires invest in real estate? ›

40% of an average millionaire's assets consist of real estate. That's partly because real estate can be a great investment and partly because US property values are very high. Many millionaires have a significant percentage of their wealth tied up in their primary residence.

Is investing in real estate a good idea in 2023? ›

Despite what some may think, 2023 is still a good year to invest in real estate, thanks to advantages like long-term appreciation, steady rental income, and the opportunity to hedge against inflation. Mortgage rates are expected to decline, but the housing market is likely to remain competitive due to low supply.

Why not to invest in real estate? ›

Real estate investing can be lucrative, but it's important to understand the risks. Key risks include bad locations, negative cash flows, high vacancies, and problem tenants. Other risks to consider are the lack of liquidity, hidden structural problems, and the unpredictable nature of the real estate market.

Is it better to have property or money? ›

Real Estate Is a Hedge Against Inflation

“Real estate assets are typically the best inflation hedge available,” he said. “Real estate will grow in value with inflation, cash in the bank will not. …

What percentage of Americans make above $100000 a year? ›

To find out more about how many people make over 100k per year, we've gathered essential facts and data. According to our extensive research: 18% of individual Americans make over $100k per year. 34.4% of US households make over $100k per year.

What percentage of Americans make over $100000 a year? ›

In the U.S. 18% of individuals earn more than $100,000, according to Zippia, a career advising company, and like the cost of living, income varies greatly between cities and states.

What percentage of Americans make over $1000000 per year? ›

8.8 % of U.S. adults are millionaires. 33% of U.S. millionaires are women. 76% of millionaires in the U.S. are white, and white people account for 60% of the total U.S. population. There are about 62.5 million millionaires globally, a 11.4% increase from 2020.

Are most millionaires real estate? ›

Physical possessions like furniture and money were secondary to productive farmland and rental property someone owned. More importantly, real estate remains a wealth-building tool for the majority of moguls. An estimated ninety percent of millionaires were created through real estate investing.

What is the top 5 percent income? ›

From the top 5% to the top 1%

Salaries start to jump significantly the closer you get to the top 1%. You'll start to see dramatic shifts in the top 5%, where the EPI found the average earners significantly increased to $343,000 in 2020, up from $324,000 the year before.

What salary is middle class? ›

Pew draws on the same formula used in the SmartAsset report, defining the middle class as those with incomes between two-thirds and twice the national median income. That works out to a national salary range of roughly $52,000 to $156,000 in 2020 dollars for a three-person household.

What is the top 10% income in the US? ›

Top 10% income

The average earnings of those in the top 10% were roughly $173,000 in 2020, according to a study by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Landing in the top 10% is a fairly attainable goal for upwardly mobile Americans.

What is the salary of upper middle class? ›

Many have graduate degrees with educational attainment serving as the main distinguishing feature of this class. Household incomes commonly exceed $100,000, with some smaller one-income earners household having incomes in the high 5-figure range.

How common is a 6 figure salary? ›

How Many People Make 6-Figure Salaries in the US? A minority of Americans make over $100,000 a year. According to Zippia, roughly 33.6% of Americans make six figures annually.

What percentage of Americans live paycheck to paycheck 2023? ›

As of January 2023, 60% of United States adults, including more than four in 10 high-income consumers, live paycheck to paycheck, down 4 percentage points from January 2022.

What is the monthly income to be considered rich? ›

The amount of money you need to make each month to be rich depends on which metric you're using. If you're going by the IRS standard, then you'd need to make approximately $45,000 a month to be rich. On the other hand, if you're aiming for the top 1% as measured by the EPI, you'd need a monthly income of $68,277.

What percentage of American retirees have a million dollars? ›

According to the Schroders 2023 U.S. Retirement Survey, working Americans age 45 and older expect they will need about $1.1 million in savings in order to retire, but only 21% of people in that age group expect to have even $1 million. That's down slightly from the 24% in 2022 who said they expected to save that much.

What is the net worth of the top 2 percent? ›

Additionally, statistics show that the top 2% of the United States population has a net worth of about $2.4 million. On the other hand, the top 5% wealthiest Americans have a net worth of just over $1 million. Therefore, about 2% of the population possesses enough wealth to meet the current definition of being rich.

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