Lenders typically demand a credit score of 700+ , a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 43% , and 6–12 months of cash reserves .

High-net-worth individuals often don't want to liquidate their investments (like stocks or bonds) because they don't want to pay capital gains taxes or lose out on market growth.

Buyers use their investment portfolios as collateral to secure interest-only loans .

Most people aren't buying $1M+ homes as their first property. They utilize selling an existing home that has appreciated over 5–10 years to generate a $300k–$500k down payment. This significantly reduces the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, turning a million-dollar purchase into a manageable mortgage. 2. Borrowing Against Assets (Portfolio Lending)

For those who don't fit the traditional mold, alternative paths exist: How Do People Afford Million Dollar Homes? - HomeLight

How Do People Buy Million Dollar Homes May 2026

Lenders typically demand a credit score of 700+ , a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 43% , and 6–12 months of cash reserves .

High-net-worth individuals often don't want to liquidate their investments (like stocks or bonds) because they don't want to pay capital gains taxes or lose out on market growth. how do people buy million dollar homes

Buyers use their investment portfolios as collateral to secure interest-only loans . Lenders typically demand a credit score of 700+

Most people aren't buying $1M+ homes as their first property. They utilize selling an existing home that has appreciated over 5–10 years to generate a $300k–$500k down payment. This significantly reduces the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, turning a million-dollar purchase into a manageable mortgage. 2. Borrowing Against Assets (Portfolio Lending) Most people aren't buying $1M+ homes as their first property

For those who don't fit the traditional mold, alternative paths exist: How Do People Afford Million Dollar Homes? - HomeLight