Is it true that 2 in 5 American homeowners are mortgage-free?

Hey everyone,

I recently came across a surprising stat about homeownership in the United States. Apparently, a big chunk of homeowners don’t have a mortgage at all. Can this really be true?

If it is, I’m curious about a few things:

  1. How do so many people manage to own their homes outright?
  2. Is this more common in certain parts of the country?
  3. Has this percentage changed much over the years?

It’d be great to hear from folks who might have some insight into this. Maybe there are homeowners here who’ve paid off their mortgages? I’d love to know how you did it!

Thanks in advance for any info or thoughts on this topic!

Interesting topic! I’ve heard similar stats, but numbers can be tricky. Have you considered how age might play into this? Older folks often have paid off homes. Also, what about regional differences? Some areas have way cheaper housing. Anyone here actually mortgage-free? How’d you manage it?

As someone who’s worked in real estate for over a decade, I can shed some light on this. While the exact ‘2 in 5’ figure might not be precise, a significant portion of American homeowners are indeed mortgage-free. This varies greatly by region and demographics. In my experience, it’s more common in areas with lower cost of living or among older homeowners who’ve had time to pay off their loans. The percentage has fluctuated over the years, often influenced by economic conditions and interest rates. Achieving mortgage-free status usually involves long-term planning, aggressive payments, or sometimes inheritance. It’s a goal many strive for, but it’s certainly not easy in today’s market.

hey, i cleared my mortgage last year after 15 yrs of saving. living in a low-cost midwest town definitely helped. haven’t tracked all stats, but many around here own their home outright. i recon it’s tough but totally rewarding to ditch that monthly burden!