Episode: Should Young People Buy a House?

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this thoughtful episode, the Elevate and Execute crew tackles a big question for Gen Z and Millennials: Should young people buy a house—or rent? From first-hand stories of kids buying too much too soon, to smart strategies like house hacking, multifamily investments, and live-in flips, the guys cover what every 20-something needs to know before diving into homeownership.

They discuss the emotional, financial, and strategic sides of buying young, including hidden costs, mortgage myths, and why renting isn’t always a bad thing. Whether you're a young buyer, a parent, or a real estate pro advising new clients—this one is full of useful advice.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why buying too much house too soon can wreck your finances and relationships
• How amortized loans really work—and why 3% down may not be a good idea
• Renting vs. owning: when does it actually make sense to rent?
• What lenders don’t include in their pre-approval calculations
• Why gross income ≠ affordability
• Smart starter strategies: live-in flips, house hacks, and buying multifamily
• How to move every year and build a real estate portfolio with little money down
• Why surrounding yourself with the right people is key to avoiding renovation regrets

Notable Quotes:

“Most young buyers don’t need a house—they need a plan.”“If you're overleveraged, you're not buying a dream—you’re buying stress.”“Renting isn’t throwing money away—it might be the smartest move you make at 23.”“Buy a duplex, live in one side, rent the other. Do that for 5 years—you’ve got 20 doors.”

Subscribe & Review:

Know someone in their 20s thinking about buying their first house? Share this episode with them. And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and help us keep the conversation going. Smart real estate starts with smart decisions—and they don’t teach this stuff in school.