The cost of college education has been rising steadily for years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In 2023, the average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year public college is $10,560 per year, and the average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year private college is $37,650 per year.
For many families, paying for college is a major financial burden. In fact, according to a recent study by the College Board, the average family will spend $284,500 on their child’s college education.
As a result of the rising cost of college, many parents are looking for creative ways to save money for their child’s education. One popular option is to invest in real estate.
Real estate can be a great way to build wealth, and it can also be a source of passive income that can help you cover the cost of college. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how parents in Treasure Valley are using real estate to fund college education.
How Real Estate Can Help You Save for College
There are a few different ways that real estate can help you save for college.
First, real estate can be a great investment. Over time, the value of real estate tends to increase. This means that if you invest in real estate today, you can expect to sell it for a higher price in the future.
Second, real estate can generate passive income. This means that you can earn money from your investment without having to actively manage it. For example, you can rent out your property to tenants and collect rent payments each month.
Third, real estate can provide tax benefits. The interest you pay on your mortgage is tax-deductible, and you may also be able to deduct depreciation on your property.
By taking advantage of these benefits, you can use real estate to build wealth and save for college at the same time.
How to Use Real Estate to Fund College Education
There are a few different ways that you can use real estate to fund college education.
One option is to use the equity in your home to take out a loan. This is known as a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). With a home equity loan, you borrow money against the value of your home, and you repay the loan over time with interest. With a HELOC, you have a revolving line of credit that you can use as needed.
Another option is to sell your home and use the proceeds to pay for college. This is a more drastic option, but it can be a good way to free up cash if you have equity in your home.
Finally, you can also invest in real estate specifically for the purpose of generating income to pay for college. This could involve buying a rental property or investing in a real estate investment trust (REIT).
Which option is right for you will depend on your individual circumstances. If you’re not sure what to do, you can talk to a financial advisor to get help.
Real Estate Investing Tips for Parents Funding College Education
If you’re considering using real estate to fund college education, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, you need to make sure that you’re investing in a property that is likely to appreciate in value. This means that you should focus on properties in areas with strong economic growth and low crime rates.
Second, you need to make sure that you can afford the property. This means that you should have a down payment saved up and you should be able to make the monthly payments on your mortgage.
Third, you need to have a plan for how you’re going to use the income from your property to pay for college. This could involve renting out the property or using a HELOC.
Finally, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Real estate investing is not without risk. There is always the possibility that the value of your property could decline or that you could experience financial difficulties.
If you’re willing to take on these risks,