'How Bad Of An Idea Is It?': Man Wants To 'Gift' His 18-Year-Old Son His Childhood Home But Is Worried It's A Bad Move. Dave Ramsey Responds

2025-11-11 02:04:27

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American baby boomers are expected to pass on an astronomical $84 trillion in inheritances to their heirs over the next 20 years in what's being dubbed“the great wealth transfer.”

However, offering monetary gifts to adult kids can be tricky. On the one hand, many parents likely want to do everything they can to provide their kids an advantage in this inhospitable economy. On the flip side, some may worry whether their kids are ready for such a sudden influx of wealth.

A caller on The Ramsey Show was grappling with this exact dilemma. He told personal finance guru Dave Ramsey that he wanted to“gift” his childhood home to his 18-year-old son - but he wasn't sure if it was a“bad idea.” Ramsey was surprisingly open to the idea, albeit with a few caveats.

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Preparing your adult kids for the great wealth transfer

“Yeah I'd give it to him,” Ramsey confirmed after listening to the caller speak highly of his son.“But I'd put some terms on it,” he added, suggesting that the caller's son should have solid plans for his life beyond owning a home.

In the U.S., 65% of parents admitted to providing some sort of financial assistance to their adult kids between the ages of 22 and 40, according to a USA Today study.

The great wealth transfer is a situation that experts say could reset a historic divide when it comes to personal finance and homeownership for younger generations. Those who receive an early inheritance passed down by their parents during their lifetime - like the caller's son - are some of the first beneficiaries of this transfer. It's expected to make millennials the richest generation in American history.

If you are among the lucky inheritors of generational wealth in the form of a gifted home, Ramsey recommends that you consider any maintenance or renovations the property may need in the future - and to set aside money for that.

Like the sound of high-yield account rates? Then check out Moneywise's list of top savings accounts to start searching for the right one for you.

You might also be interested in exploring certificates of deposit (CDs). A CD is a low-risk savings option that can yield interest comparable to, or even higher than, the top savings accounts. The trade-off for this higher rate is that your money stays locked in the account for a set period.

Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 simple money rules to turn $9,800 into a stunning $150B - start using them today to get rich (and then stay rich)

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If you're not expecting to inherit a home, there are other ways to take advantage of the hot real estate market without having to buy a house or make an enormous down payment.

If you're not an accredited investor, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow you to enter the real estate market for as little as $100. Arrived offers you access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit these properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income level. Their flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.

While some platforms have democratized real estate investing by lowering entry barriers, those seeking larger-scale, institutional-quality commercial property investments often require a different approach.

For accredited investors with a higher risk tolerance and investment horizon, there are ways you can tap into the potentially higher returns of commercial real estate.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) focuses on properties leased by industry-leading tenants such as Whole Foods, CVS, Kroger, and Walmart.

FNRP offers investors the opportunity to own a piece of essential retail infrastructure, with an experienced team that oversees every facet of the investment process, from property acquisition to leasing and property management.

Leveraging proprietary technology and a deep understanding of the market, FNRP has the potential to deliver exceptional returns while maintaining the highest standards of investment performance.