Can a minor buy a house in California ?

short answer you need to be 18+ legal age to purchase

Only option that I am aware of to do this, would be with the assistance of an attorney and through a trust. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

This is one of those situations where the legal side really matters more than the real estate side. In California, a minor technically can’t enter into a binding real estate contract the same way an adult can. So even if a minor has the funds, most sellers and agents aren’t going to move forward without an adult involved because the contract could be challenged. In the real world, what I see is that a parent or legal guardian is typically part of the transaction, either on the contract, on title, or through some form of legal structure like a trust. That gives everyone confidence the deal is enforceable and protects both sides. I’ve never seen a straightforward transaction where a minor is buying a property completely on their own without that kind of setup. It’s just not how these deals are typically done. If this is something you’re seriously considering, I’d strongly recommend talking with a real estate attorney to structure it properly. There are ways to do it, but it needs to be set up correctly from the start. From a practical standpoint, for me, it’s less about “can it be done” and more about “how do you do it safely and in a way that the transaction actually closes.”

An attorney can assist in this. However, we often have parents using a trust to secure generational wealth for their minor children. Your realtor partner can refer you to a trusted attorney.

In California, a minor (someone under 18) usually cannot buy a house on their own. This is because buying a home requires signing legal contracts, and minors are not allowed to sign binding contracts. There are a few ways it can still happen: • A parent or guardian can buy the home with or for the minor • A home can be bought through a trust set up by an adult • Parents can buy the home and transfer it to the child after they turn 18 A minor cannot sign a mortgage or home purchase contract by themselves in California. If you’re planning ahead and want to understand your options, I’m happy to help. Chris Cervantes, Realtor® – Northern California DRE# 02245897 Phone: 707-317-3806 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selling_in_solano

Hi Sabrina, Great question—and one that comes up more often than you might think. In California, you generally need to be 18 years old to legally enter into a binding contract, which includes purchasing real estate. That’s the key issue—not ownership itself, but the ability to sign enforceable contracts like a purchase agreement or loan documents. A minor (someone under 18) can technically hold title to property, but there are some important limitations: • Contracts are not fully enforceable: A minor can enter into a contract, but they also have the legal right to void it, which makes sellers very hesitant to accept an offer from a minor. • Financing is extremely difficult: Lenders will not issue a mortgage to a minor because they can’t be held to the loan terms. • Escrow/title complications: Most escrow and title companies will require a legal structure to protect all parties involved. Because of this, if a minor is involved in purchasing property, it’s typically done with an adult in one of the following ways: • Parent or guardian on title (and usually on the loan) • Holding title in a trust or custodial arrangement (like a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act account) • Adult purchases the property and later transfers ownership So to answer your question directly: 👉 No, a minor doesn’t have to have an adult on the deed—but in practice, it’s almost always necessary to involve an adult or legal structure to make the transaction work smoothly and be accepted by the seller, lender, and escrow. If someone is considering doing this, it’s definitely worth speaking with a real estate professional and possibly a real estate attorney to structure it correctly from the start. If you want, I’m happy to walk through the cleanest ways to set this up depending on your specific situation. You can contact me directly on my website. www.bobarthurgroup.com

Carlos, you have to be 18 in order to purchase a property since it involves a contract.