I think that we would all agree that if Warren Buffett gives financial advice, it is going to be worth listening to. He has been one of the richest men in the world for many years now, and his unconventional financial wisdom means that he is widely considered to be the most successful investor of the 20th century. So, without doubt, it feels great to have one of my ideas validated by Warren Buffett himself. Watch this to know which one.
Warren Buffett and the 30-year loan.
“When you take out a long-term loan, you buy yourself flexibility by not locking yourself into the higher payments that come with a shorter-term loan.”
According to him, with interest rates as low as 2% it is a no brainer that people should finance their real estate purchase using this instrument. This low rate spread out over a 30-year period makes it an incredibly attractive option. And guess what? I agree!
I’ve been advising my clients and viewers on the same lines.
I had engaged in some personal correspondence with Warren Buffett sometime in 2012. This was after the recession, and at the time he had written to me that he was interested in buying 70,000 to 100,000 homes for Berkshire. He told me that he wanted to get a 30-year loan to finance each of the homes he bought. In his view, with only a 20% down-payment requirement, it really didn’t get any better! No wonder the 30-year loan recommendation happens to be one of his top five financial tips.
Why I recommend the 30-year loan.
I have myself relied on the 30-year loan to invest in real estate over the years, and it has worked really well for me. I advise my clients to do the same because I believe it is a gift that no American should refuse – and it has worked really well for them as well. Believe me, foreigners can hardly believe that such a long term, fixed rate loan is actually available to Americans!
The reasons why I – and world famous experts like Buffett – recommend this loan are easy to understand. With low interest rates and fixed repayment amounts spread out over 30 years, this loan becomes easier and easier to repay. Inflation and rising cost of living do not impact the amount you pay each month; it remains the same. So at the end of say 10 or 15 years, the amount you're paying each month seems to be little more than a fancy dinner somewhere!
Now there is a catch of course. Warren Buffett wanted to finance thousands of homes with the 30-year loan, but there is a limit to how many loans you can take out. Each individual can take out no more than 10 of these loans. A married couple can get 20 loans between them. So how do you buy more homes as I advise you to do? There is a way. This is also one of the topics we will talk about at our next online Property Expo, and you are most welcome to attend.