Loughborough’s Millennials Set to Inherit £134,830 Each in Property!

That got your attention, didn’t it!

But before we start, what is Generation X, let alone Generation Z, Millennials, or Baby Boomers? These are phrases banded around about the different life stages (or subcomponents) of our society. But when terminologies like this are used as often and habitually as these phrases (i.e. Gen X this, or Millennial that), it appears particularly vital that we have some practical idea of what these terms actually mean. The fact is that most people uses these phrases but often, like myself, they are not exactly sure where the lines are drawn  - until now!

So, for clarity:

Generation Z - born after 1996

Millennials - born between 1977 and 1995  

Generation X - born between 965 and 976

Baby Boomers - born between 1946 to 1964

Silent Generation - born between 1945 and before

My research shows that there are 5966 households in Loughborough owned by Loughborough Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964) and Loughborough’s Silent Generation (born 1945 and before). It also shows that there are 10,137 Generation X’s of Loughborough (born between 1965 to 1976). Looking at demographics, the home ownership statistics and current life expectancy, around two-thirds of those Loughborough 10,137 Generation X’s have parents and grandparents who own 5966 Loughborough properties. They will profit from one of the biggest inheritance explosions of any post-war generation to the tune of £1.447bn of Loughborough property or £214,065 each but they will have to wait until their early 60’s to get it!

The Millennials are also in line for a big inheritance windfall. 

There are 19,299 Millennials in Loughborough and my research shows around two thirds of them are set to inherit the 7,154 Loughborough Generation X’s properties. Those Generation X’s Loughborough homes are worth £1.736bn meaning, on average, each Millennial will inherit £134,830; but not until at least 2040 to 2060!

While the Loughborough Millennials have done far less well in amassing their own savings and assets, they are more likely to take advantage of an inheritance boom in the years to come. This will probably be very welcome news for those Loughborough Millennials, including some from poorer upbringings who in the past would have been unlikely to receive gifts and legacies.

However, inheritance is not the magic weapon that will get the Millennials on to the Loughborough housing ladder or tackle growing wealth cracks in UK society, as the inheritance is unlikely to be made available when they are trying to buy their first home. But before all you Loughborough Millennials start running up debts, over 50% of females and around 35% of men are going to have to pay for nursing home care. Interestingly, I read recently that a quarter of the people who have to pay for their care, run out of money.

So, if you are a Loughborough Millennial there potentially will be nothing left for you. Of course, most parents want to give their children an inheritance and the consideration that what you have worked genuinely hard for over your working life won’t go to your children to help them through their lives is a really awful one. Maybe that is why I am seeing a lot of Loughborough grandparents doing something meaningful, and helping their grandchildren, the Millennials, with the deposit for their first house.

One solution to the housing crisis in Loughborough, and the UK as a whole, is if grandparents, where they are able to, help financially with the deposit for a house. Buying is cheaper than renting – we have proved it many times in these articles so, it’s not a case of not affording the mortgage, the issue is raising the 5% to 10% mortgage deposit for these Millennials.

Maybe families should be distributing a part of the family wealth now (in the form of helping with house deposits) as opposed to waiting to the end. It will make so much more of a difference to everyone in the long run. It's worth a thought. 

If you would like to discuss the Loughborough property market or chat about any potential investment please feel free to call us on 01509 260777 or email me.