Hendersonville, NC asked in Banking, Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for North Carolina

Q: Is there a certain age that you have to be in order to buy and invest real estate?

I am 13 and looking to get into real estate to make a steady income but don't know we're to start or if I can get into investing in property's right now or if I have to wait.

2 Lawyer Answers

A: There is no age requirement for owning property in NC. To enter a binding contract to purchase or sell property, the minimum age requirement is 18. Similarly, banks require you to be 18 to sign a mortgage, again, because it is a contract.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In North Carolina, there's no specific law that sets a minimum age for investing in real estate, but contracts, including those for real estate, generally require someone to be 18 or older to sign them. This means that, at 13, you would need an adult, such as a parent or guardian, to make purchases on your behalf.

However, you can still start learning about real estate investing now. Begin by studying the market, learning about different types of properties, and understanding basic real estate terms. This will help you be better prepared when you're older and ready to make investments directly.

You could also explore ways to invest indirectly, like through a custodial account or other options that let minors participate in investing with adult supervision. Taking the time to learn now can set you up for success when you're legally able to sign contracts on your own.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.