If you’ve ever written a rent check for your college student and thought,
“There has to be a better way…” — you’re not alone.
A few months ago, I got a call from a fun, forward-thinking mom whose daughter was heading to the University of Utah. She wanted her close to campus, in a safe place, surrounded by good roommates.
But instead of signing another expensive lease, she did something brilliant.
She bought a duplex.
One side for her daughter and her roommates.
The other side rented out.
And suddenly, what used to be an expense… became an investment.
When the Math Works, Everything Changes
Student housing rents have jumped dramatically in recent years — 9% nationwide last year alone.
This mom saw the trend and asked the right question:
“If we’re going to pay this money anyway, why don’t we build something with it?”
Here’s what happened next:
✔ Her daughter and roommates covered one side
✔ The other unit brought in rental income
✔ What used to drain the budget suddenly built long-term stability and wealth
✔ She gained a real asset — in a high-demand area
✔ Her daughter gained responsibility, safety, and roots
It wasn’t just housing.
It was a financial strategy — and a smart one.
The Power of Thinking Differently
More and more parents are discovering this:
Buying for your college student can be one of the smartest wealth moves you ever make.
Not because it’s glamorous.
Not because it’s trendy.
But because it converts a guaranteed expense (rent) into:
• Equity
• Appreciation
• Cash flow potential
• A future investment property
• A financial head start for your child
And years later?
You can keep it, sell it, 1031 exchange it, or let your student buy you out and keep the rental themselves.
Options = opportunity.
And opportunity = wealth.
A Story Bigger Than Housing
My favorite part of this whole process?
The moment she said: “I feel like we’re doing something good for her future.”
Because that’s exactly what this was.
A mom choosing wisdom over worry.
Strategy over stress.
Possibility over payment.
I’ve helped countless parents do this over the years — some with duplexes, some with condos, some with townhomes — and the common thread is always the same:
✨ They want stability.
✨ They want safety.
✨ And they want to set their kids up well.
Real estate makes that possible.
If You’re Wondering Whether This Could Work for You… It Just Might
Your student doesn’t need the perfect property.
You don’t need to be an investor.
And you certainly don’t need to have every piece figured out.
You just need a place to start.
If you’d like to run the numbers, explore options, or simply understand what’s possible — my team and I would love to walk through it with you.
Sometimes one smart move changes everything.
—S.
