Warren Buffett once said he’d buy a 'couple hundred thousand’ homes if he could. How to ‘load up’ on real estate in 2026
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Warren Buffett loves mortgages. While some financial gurus would urge Americans to give up on the dream of homeownership and invest their cash in the market instead, Buffett remains bullish on real estate.
The billionaire investor has made no secret of that fact over the years, even once calling a 30-year fixed mortgage “the best instrument in the world (1).”
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In fact, back in 2012, Buffett went so far as to declare that if there was a way to buy thousands of single-family homes at once, and to manage them easily, he would “load up (2).”
He also emphasized he’d take out mortgages at “very, very low rates.”
For Buffett, those low mortgage rates were what made housing such an attractive opportunity. He’s a value investor after all, which means he seeks investments with low prices relative to what they’re actually worth.
And at the time, consumer confidence was low, driving housing prices down. Buffett’s advice in those market moments? “Be greedy when others are fearful.”
Indeed, it seems that strategy would have paid off for the typical homebuyer in 2012. The median price of an American home was $251,700 in the last quarter of that year. The most recent data from the Federal Reserve shows that figure is now $393,300.
The question is, with prices and interest rates now so much higher than they were, would Buffett’s sentiment still hold for real estate as an investment now?
Shop around for a mortgage
In early August 2012, the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 3.55% (3). These days, the average rate is over 7%.
So, Buffett would probably be a little bit less jazzed on home buying in 2026.
That said, markets are cyclical. Usually — or at least in the world of interest rates — what goes up will eventually come down.
No matter what happens to interest rates, you’ll want to ensure you’re shopping around for the best rate possible — because the search really does pay off.
Freddie Mac recommends shopping around, obtaining quotes from three to five lenders to secure the best possible mortgage rate. Even a small rate reduction can translate into significant savings over the life of a loan.
To make this process easier, places like the Mortgage Research Center (MRC) can help you quickly compare rates and estimated monthly payments from multiple vetted lenders. By entering basic details — such as your zip code, property type, price range and annual income — you can view mortgage offers tailored to your needs and shop with confidence.
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Invest in real estate without taking on landlord duties
Buying a home yourself isn’t the only way to invest in real estate. With mogul, investors can purchase fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, giving them monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits — without the need for a hefty down payment or 3 a.m. tenant calls.
Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the mogul team handpicks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide for you. Simply put, you can invest in institutional-quality offerings for a fraction of the usual cost.
Each property undergoes a vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Their cash-on-cash yields, meanwhile, average between 10% and 12% annually. Offerings often sell out in under three hours, with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property.
Every investment is secured by real assets, not dependent on the platform’s viability. Each property is held in a standalone Propco LLC, so investors own the property — not the platform. Blockchain-based fractionalization adds a layer of safety, ensuring a permanent, verifiable record of each stake.
Getting started is a quick and easy process. You can sign up for an account and then browse available properties. Once you verify your information with their team, you can invest like a mogul in just a few clicks.
For those looking to start with a smaller investment, Arrived, a real estate platform company backed by investors such as Jeff Bezos, helps investors get into SEC-qualified investments in real estate, including rental homes, vacation rentals and diversified funds.
In addition to any property appreciation, Arrived’s properties can help you earn a passive income stream without any of the extra work that comes with being a landlord. No midnight maintenance calls over burst pipes required.
All you have to do is sign up, then you can view a selection of vetted properties and start investing with just $100. That way, you can make sure the platform is right for you.
Once you become an investor with Arrived, you’ll have access to more than 596 properties in 67 plus markets. Eligible investors can also take advantage of Arrived’s secondary market if you want to reshuffle your portfolio.
And, for a limited time, investors can get a 2% account match when opening an account and adding $2,000 or more.
Access private-market real estate as an accredited investor
Lightstone DIRECT’s direct-to-investor model ensures a high degree of alignment between individual investors and a vertically integrated, institutional owner-operator — a sophisticated and streamlined option for individual investors looking to diversify into private-market real estate.
With Lightstone DIRECT, accredited individuals can access the same multifamily and industrial assets Lightstone pursues with its own capital, with minimum investments starting at $100,000.
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CNBC (1); CNBC (2); Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (3)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.