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When making real estate decisions, it is important to consider the impact on your children. As a parent, I often get questions from clients about whether they should buy, transfer or put a property in a trust for their child. When investing in real estate on behalf of your children, several important factors should be considered to ensure the decision aligns with your long-term goals and their future needs.
Making the right real estate decisions for your children involves considering their opinions, teaching them about informed decision-making, and building generational wealth through real estate investment. However, balancing their input with your judgment and prioritising your family’s needs is important.
According to a survey by Harris Poll, more than half of adults consider their children’s opinions when deciding which house to buy, with millennial parents being even more sensitive to this issue. Children do exert moderate indirect influence throughout the family real estate purchase process. However, psychologists and real estate experts caution against involving children too much in decision-making, as they may make emotional choices, and their ideas are subject to change.
Talk to your kids before making a real estate decision, but don’t base your buying decision solely on their opinions. Instead, consider which house best meets your family’s needs and provide your children with a safe and comfortable environment.
Involving your Children in Real Estate Investments
Building generational wealth through real estate investment can be a powerful tool for securing your children’s financial future. One way to involve your children in real estate is to teach them about research and data analysis before making decisions. This can help them understand the importance of making informed decisions and avoid jumping in blindly.
Real estate investment can provide financial security and opportunities for children and their children, ensuring a brighter future for the family. Educating children can teach them financial responsibility, instill financial literacy early, encourage long-term planning and patience, and develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
Parents can determine if their child is ready to handle the responsibilities of owning and managing a property by considering their maturity level and financial responsibility.
One way to assess this is by involving your child in the decision-making and teaching them about the responsibilities of owning property. Parents can also start with smaller investments and gradually increase the level of responsibility as their child demonstrates readiness and capability. It is important to communicate openly and set clear expectations to ensure that parents and children are on the same page.
Ultimately, the decision to involve children in real estate investment should be based on their maturity and readiness, and not solely on their age.
Building Generational Wealth for Children
Real estate offers stability, appreciation potential, and income streams that can create a lasting legacy for your family. This can be a powerful tool for building generational wealth for children and even future generations.
Rental properties can provide a steady income stream for your children. By owning rental properties, families can generate passive income that can be used to fund life expenses. By including real estate in estate planning, families can minimise taxes and ensure that their assets are passed on to their heirs in a way that aligns with their values and goals. Families can benefit from long-term appreciation, rental income streams, and tax advantages by owning property.
Typically, real estate investors use properties to generate passive income, which often helps fund their children’s college and their own retirement. After they die, they leave behind those income-producing properties, and their heirs continue to reap the benefits.
Real estate investment can create a legacy that spans generations. By investing in real estate, families can provide financial security and opportunities for their children and their children, ensuring a brighter future for their families. If you’re ready to learn more about how real estate investments can help build your child’s future wealth, connect with our team at Singapore Luxury Homes.
Answers to the Most Common Questions from Parents about Children and Property
Can a child own property in Singapore?
Yes, a child can own property in Singapore, but they can only be the legal owner once they reach age 21. Parents can purchase a property in trust for their child, where the parents will be the legal owners, and the child will be the beneficial owner. Upon turning 21 years old, the legal title of the property will be passed to the child, and the trust will be terminated. The child will then assume full responsibility for all property taxes and related liabilities of the property. However, the child will not be eligible to purchase an HDB as he/she already owns private property. The terms and conditions of the trust deed can specify when the child is eligible for inheritance and any conditions that need to be fulfilled. If an irrevocable trust has been set up for more than five years, the real estate will be protected from unfortunate events such as bankruptcy.
What are the tax implications of buying a house with my child in Singapore?
In Singapore, buying a house with your child can have tax implications. If the property is bought under the child’s name, the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) may be levied on the purchase.
What if I’m buying a property in a trust for my child?
As of April 2023, the ABSD rate for Singapore citizens buying a second property is 20%, and for the third property, it is 30%. However, if bought under a living trust, the stamp duty of 65% is applied to any residential property. This duty must be paid upfront, although trustees can apply for a partial refund or remission of ABSD (Trust) if certain conditions are met.
What are the tax implications of gifting property to a child?
Gifting property to a child in Singapore involves certain tax implications, primarily concerning the payment of stamp duties. When transferring property as a gift, regardless of whether it is a ‘gift inter vivos’ given during the owner’s lifetime or through a will, stamp duty is payable based on the same rate as the buyer’s stamp duty of the property’s market value.
