Dorm or Deed: When Buying Beats Room & Board

At 23 U.S. universities, buying a home near campus can cost less than dorm living. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack when the numbers pencil out—and when they don’t. You’ll learn:Big Savings, Real Examples: How parents at Temple University could save about $30,000 over three years—and potentially net $70,000 over ten years by holding the propertyWhere It Fails: Why pricey markets like Seattle or San Diego can mean losses of $80,000+, and Montclair, NJ could be down as much as $163,000 in three yearsThe Success Formula: The sweet spot of lower home prices, higher room-and-board costs, and strong rental demand (e.g., Marshall University’s $138K homes vs. $39K in three-year room & board)Assumptions & Cash Flow: The model uses two roommates to offset costs—at LSU, two roommates can contribute $930/month toward an estimated $1,849 monthly ownership costTrue Cost Accounting: Taxes, insurance, maintenance, closing costs, even groceries vs. meal plans—all factored into the analysisFinancing Angle: Using a “non-occupant co-borrower” structure so the student is primary borrower with a credit score, not necessarily their own down payment or incomeRisk Checklist: Local taxes/insurance, landlord duties, and whether your student can responsibly manage a property while in schoolFor the full breakdown and school-by-school insights, read the article:https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/dorm-or-deed-homebuying-cheaper-than-room-and-board/