The early payoff timeline works for mortgages under $1 million, Hogan said, but most millionaires don't have a mortgage that high. The average millionaire lives in a modest home, according to Hogan's research.
But for rich people with millions of dollars in the bank, covering the costs of a property out of pocket would likely be within reach. Despite the fact that many wealthy people could afford to buy a home outright, they often get mortgage loans anyway.
"The extensive list of celebrities that have mortgages on their properties is often surprising to people," Says Dallas-based mortgage lender Brian McCauley. "Actually, I would be willing to wager that most celebrities don't shell out cash for their properties."
Billionaires like the Bronfmans can get loans these days at rates under 1 percent, and they've been rushing to take advantage.
For example, it's common for rich people to take out mortgages. That's because interest rates are low and interest is tax deductible. Rather than tying up their cash in a house, they can get a low-interest loan and invest their own dollars in assets that produce a better return.
Is being debt-free the new rich? Yes, as long as you have money and assets, in addition to no debts. Living loan-free is a fantastic way to stay financially secure, and it is possible for anyone. While there are a couple of downsides to being debt-free, they are minimal.
“Shark Tank” investor Kevin O'Leary has said the ideal age to be debt-free is 45, especially if you want to retire by age 60. Being debt-free — including paying off your mortgage — by your mid-40s puts you on the early path toward success, O'Leary argued.
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.
You've got two good options: buying through an LLC or a trust, or having someone else purchase your house for you, in name only. Many celebrities take the first route, Mermelstein and Kirman said. When you buy through an LLC or a trust, the name of that entity appears in the public record as the buyer—not your name.
Some private banks offer mortgages on homes for as long as 20 years with fixed interest rates as low as 1% for the period. The wealthy can also hedge against higher borrowing costs for a fraction of their pledged assets' value, according to Ali Jamal, the founder of multifamily office Azura.
Taking out mortgages tends to benefit wealthy Americans because owning a home helps them to build their net worth. They acquire equity in their homes as they pay down their mortgage and their wealth grows when property goes up in value.
Benefits of Cash
"There are no mortgage origination fees, appraisal fees, or other fees charged by lenders to assess buyers," says Robert Semrad, JD, senior partner and founder of DebtStoppers Bankruptcy Law Firm, headquartered in Chicago. Paying with cash is usually more attractive to sellers, too.
Bank of America, Citibank, Union Bank, and HSBC, among others, have created accounts that come with special perquisites for the ultra-rich, such as personal bankers, waived fees, and the option of placing trades. The ultra rich are considered to be those with more than $30 million in assets.
Most billionaires are surprisingly cash poor on a relative basis. The average billionaire only holds 1% of their net worth in liquid assets like cash because the vast majority of their fortunes are usually tied up in business interests, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other financial assets.
Examples of cash equivalents are money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and Treasury bills. Some millionaires keep their cash in Treasury bills that they keep rolling over and reinvesting. They liquidate them when they need the cash.
Some millionaires keep their cash in Treasury bills that they keep rolling over and reinvesting. They liquidate them when they need the cash. Treasury bills are short-term notes issued by the U.S government to raise money. Treasury bills are usually purchased at a discount.
For hundreds of years, buying real estate has been one of the best ways to accumulate wealth. Sure, we've seen real estate boom-and-bust cycles in recent decades, but over time, owning real estate has made thousands of people rich in every part of the United States.
Here's the average debt balances by age group: Gen Z (ages 18 to 23): $9,593. Millennials (ages 24 to 39): $78,396. Gen X (ages 40 to 55): $135,841.
Mortgages are the largest debt owned by many Americans, but paying them off before reaching retirement age isn't feasible for everyone. In fact, across the country, nearly 10 million homeowners who are still paying off their mortgage are 65 and older.
Kevin O'Leary, an investor on “Shark Tank” and personal finance author, said in 2018 that the ideal age to be debt-free is 45. It's at this age, said O'Leary, that you enter the last half of your career and should therefore ramp up your retirement savings in order to ensure a comfortable life in your elderly years.
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.
INCREASED SECURITY. When you have no debt, your credit score and other indicators of financial health, such as debt-to-income ratio (DTI), tend to be very good. This can lead to a higher credit score and be useful in other ways.
Paying off your mortgage early is a good way to free up monthly cashflow and pay less in interest. But you'll lose your mortgage interest tax deduction, and you'd probably earn more by investing instead. Before making your decision, consider how you would use the extra money each month.