{"id":104098,"date":"2025-07-30T10:22:59","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T17:22:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=104098"},"modified":"2025-07-30T10:22:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T17:22:59","slug":"how-old-to-buy-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a house is one of the biggest financial milestones you can reach but how soon can you realistically get there? If you\u2019ve ever wondered \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how old do you have to be to buy a house?\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the answer might be both simpler and more layered than you expect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <strong>legal age to buy a house is generally 18 across most states<\/strong>, but being \u201cready\u201d to buy a house has a lot more to do with your finances than your birthday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re dreaming of <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/v\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a condo in Detroit, MI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/29501\/IL\/Naperville\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a house in Naperville, IL<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this Redfin guide breaks down the legal requirements, financial readiness, and smart strategies to help you reach your homeownership goals at any age.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How old do you have to be to buy a house?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s start with the basics. In most states, <\/span><b>you need to be at least 18 years old to legally buy a house.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This is the age of majority\u2014the legal age when you can sign binding contracts, including real estate agreements and mortgage documents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, there are a few exceptions. While 18 is the standard in most states, three states have different age requirements when it comes to buying a house:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In Alabama and Nebraska<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the age of majority is 19<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In Mississippi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the age of majority is 21.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While minors technically can own property (say, through a trust or inheritance), they can\u2019t legally enter into a mortgage or purchase contract on their own. So unless a guardian co-signs or holds the deed in trust, you\u2019ll have to wait until you reach your state\u2019s age of majority.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How old are most first-time homebuyers?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So you can buy a home at 18 but do most people actually do that? Not really. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>average age of first-time homebuyers is 38<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and that number has been trending upward. In fact, today\u2019s first-timers are older than ever, thanks to factors like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/us-housing-market\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rising home prices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, student loan debt, and stricter lending standards.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial readiness: What really matters<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just because you&#8217;re legally allowed to buy a home doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re financially ready. The biggest hurdle isn\u2019t age\u2014it\u2019s affordability. Here are some key factors that determine whether you\u2019re ready to take on a mortgage:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/what-credit-score-is-needed-to-buy-a-house\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Credit score<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Most conventional loans require a credit score of at least 620, while FHA loans may accept scores as low as 580.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Income stability:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Lenders typically want to see <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/mortgage-without-2-years-work-history\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at least two years of consistent employment history<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/v\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your monthly debt payments should be no more than 36%\u201343% of your gross income.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Down payment savings:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019ll generally need at least 3%\u20135% down, depending on the loan type. More is better if you want to avoid <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/v\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private mortgage insurance (PMI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Closing costs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Budget around 2%\u20135% of the home\u2019s price for additional fees and services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a home is more about these numbers than your age. If you\u2019ve built up savings, have solid credit, and can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">afford the monthly payments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you may be in a better position than someone older who hasn\u2019t prepared.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While lenders can\u2019t discriminate based on age, retirees and older adults may face challenges qualifying for a mortgage based on fixed income. That said, there\u2019s no legal upper limit on homebuying; it\u2019s more about your financial comfort and long-term goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and cons of buying a house young<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a home in your late teens or early 20s can be an impressive achievement but it\u2019s not without its trade-offs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros:<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><b>First-time buyer perks:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many grants and assistance programs are available.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Long-term investment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rising home values can benefit you down the line.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Build equity early:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The sooner you buy, the sooner your investment grows.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Credit boost:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> On-time mortgage payments strengthen your credit profile.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Stability:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/benefits-of-owning-a-home\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Owning a home has benefits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like a sense of permanence and independence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons:<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/the-full-cost-of-home-ownership\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Homeownership expenses<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Monthly costs, repairs, and taxes can stretch your budget.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Career limitations:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Owning a home can make relocation more complicated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Less flexibility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Renting allows for more freedom and fewer long-term ties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/v\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Maintenance responsibilities<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You&#8217;re in charge of upkeep, not a landlord.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home buying strategies for young buyers<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a house young isn\u2019t easy but it\u2019s definitely doable with some planning. Here are a few strategies that younger buyers are using:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Living at home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to save aggressively on rent and utilities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-many-people-can-be-on-a-mortgage\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Co-buying<\/b><\/a><b> with a partner, sibling, or friend<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to split the down payment and monthly costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Moving to a more affordable city<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or suburb where home prices are lower<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Getting family help through a gift<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/cosigner-for-apartment\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">co-signing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or shared equity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Building credit early<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with responsible credit card use or secured loans<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re serious about homeownership, don\u2019t be discouraged by the national averages. Focus on what\u2019s right for you and look for programs or solutions that align with your situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Read&gt;&gt; <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b><i>How to Buy a House in 2025: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-blog-post wp-image-104101\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"how old do you have to be to buy a house\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mortgage options for young homebuyers<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a young buyer ready to take the leap, there are several mortgage options designed to make it easier to get started. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/v\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>FHA loans<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Great for first-time buyers with lower credit scores. You can qualify with as little as 3.5% down and a 580 score.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Conventional 97: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, these loans offer 3% down options. Best for buyers with higher credit (typically 620 or above).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/interested-in-using-a-va-home-loan-heres-what-you-need-to-know\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>VA loans<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For eligible veterans or active-duty service members. No down payment or PMI required.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>USDA loans:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Targeted for rural or low-income areas. Offers zero-down options for qualifying buyers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>State or local <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/first-time-home-buyer-programs\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>first-time buyer programs<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many states and cities offer down payment assistance, reduced-interest loans, or grant money to qualified first-time buyers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research each program carefully; eligibility requirements, interest rates, and insurance costs can vary. A mortgage lender can help you explore which option fits your financial situation best.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Discover&gt;&gt; <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/first-time-home-buyer-benefits\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b><i>First-Time Homebuyer Benefits and How to Qualify<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs: At what age can you buy a house?<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Can a 16-year-old buy a house?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legally, no. While a 16-year-old can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/inheriting-a-house-with-a-mortgage\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inherit property<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or own it through a trust, they can\u2019t sign a mortgage or purchase contract without a legal guardian.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. What credit score does a young buyer need?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 580 score is the bare minimum for FHA loans. For better terms, aim for 620+ for conventional loans.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Do student loans affect your ability to get a mortgage?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, your debt-to-income ratio matters. If your student loan payments are high relative to your income, it can make qualifying for a mortgage more difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Can you get a mortgage with no job but high savings?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s possible, but rare. Lenders typically want proof of steady income. Substantial savings help, but they don\u2019t replace job income unless you have assets or a large down payment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Is it smarter to rent when you&#8217;re young?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That depends. Renting can offer flexibility, especially if your job or location might change soon. However, if you plan to stay put and can afford the upfront costs, buying may be the better long-term move.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk to a real estate agent<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve built a strong credit profile, have money saved, and feel confident in your job stability, you might be more ready than you think. When that time comes, don\u2019t try to figure it out alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/why-buy\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who can walk you through the process, connect you with trusted lenders, and help you find a home that fits both your budget and your goals. They\u2019ll be your best guide for navigating everything from offers to inspections to closing day\u2014no matter your age.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How old do you have to be to buy a house? Here&#8217;s what you need to know about legal age, financial readiness, and first-time buyer tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":817,"featured_media":104101,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276],"tags":[36549,34629],"coauthors":[36451],"class_list":["post-104098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","tag-buying-faqs","tag-first-time-homebuyer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How old do you have to be to buy a house? Here&#039;s what you need to know about legal age, financial readiness, and first-time buyer tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? What You Need to Know\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"How old do you have to be to buy a house? Here&#039;s what you need to know about legal age, financial readiness, and first-time buyer tips.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-30T17:22:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Freda Nkrumah\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Freda Nkrumah\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Freda Nkrumah\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/10192b93cd026bd2941a8e7f66bdcae5\"},\"headline\":\"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? What You Need to Know\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-30T17:22:59+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1286,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"buying faqs\",\"first time homebuyer\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Buying a Home\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/\",\"name\":\"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? | Redfin\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-30T17:22:59+00:00\",\"description\":\"How old do you have to be to buy a house? Here's what you need to know about legal age, financial readiness, and first-time buyer tips.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":1800,\"height\":1200,\"caption\":\"how old do you have to be to buy a house\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? What You Need to Know\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\",\"description\":\"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Redfin\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Redfin\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/redfinrealestate\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/redfin\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow\",\"https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Redfin\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/10192b93cd026bd2941a8e7f66bdcae5\",\"name\":\"Freda Nkrumah\",\"description\":\"Freda is a skilled Content Marketer at Redfin, driven by her passion for storytelling, writing, and crafting engaging content that resonates with audiences. Based in Washington, DC she enjoys exploring the city\u2019s restaurant scene, spending quality time with friends, and unwinding with movies, TV shows, and her cherished Smiski figurines. Freda dreams of a home that blends the elegance of midcentury modern with the simplicity of Japandi design.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/author\\\/freda-nkrumahredfin-com\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? | Redfin","description":"How old do you have to be to buy a house? Here's what you need to know about legal age, financial readiness, and first-time buyer tips.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? What You Need to Know","og_description":"How old do you have to be to buy a house? Here's what you need to know about legal age, financial readiness, and first-time buyer tips.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/","og_site_name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","article_published_time":"2025-07-30T17:22:59+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Freda Nkrumah","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@redfin","twitter_site":"@redfin","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Freda Nkrumah","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/"},"author":{"name":"Freda Nkrumah","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/10192b93cd026bd2941a8e7f66bdcae5"},"headline":"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? What You Need to Know","datePublished":"2025-07-30T17:22:59+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/"},"wordCount":1286,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg","keywords":["buying faqs","first time homebuyer"],"articleSection":["Buying a Home"],"inLanguage":"en-US","copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/","name":"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? | Redfin","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2025-07-30T17:22:59+00:00","description":"How old do you have to be to buy a house? Here's what you need to know about legal age, financial readiness, and first-time buyer tips.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2265119655-scaled.jpg","width":1800,"height":1200,"caption":"how old do you have to be to buy a house"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-old-to-buy-a-house\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House? What You Need to Know"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","description":"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Redfin","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Redfin"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","https:\/\/x.com\/redfin","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/redfinrealestate\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/redfin","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/redfin\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Redfin"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/10192b93cd026bd2941a8e7f66bdcae5","name":"Freda Nkrumah","description":"Freda is a skilled Content Marketer at Redfin, driven by her passion for storytelling, writing, and crafting engaging content that resonates with audiences. Based in Washington, DC she enjoys exploring the city\u2019s restaurant scene, spending quality time with friends, and unwinding with movies, TV shows, and her cherished Smiski figurines. Freda dreams of a home that blends the elegance of midcentury modern with the simplicity of Japandi design.","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/author\/freda-nkrumahredfin-com\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/817"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104098"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104102,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104098\/revisions\/104102"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104098"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=104098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}