Why Billionaires Like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg Borrow Instead of Paying Cash for Homes
Some of the wealthiest Americans opt for mortgages as a strategic way to preserve liquidity, leverage investments and reduce tax exposure.
Most Americans rely on mortgages to buy a home because the typical house still costs far more than what the average worker earns in a year. According to Redfin, the current U.S. median home sale price is $429,708, a figure that remains out of reach for many households without financing.
Meanwhile, recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers hover near $1,200, which translates to around $62,000 a year — a far cry from what it takes to buy even an average-price home in cash.
When people think of the "ultra-rich," they often imagine homes bought outright, with suitcases of cash exchanged at closing. But the reality is more nuanced. We explore why even some of the wealthiest buyers — from tech founders to entertainers — sometimes choose mortgages over all-cash purchases.
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Why wealthy buyers take out mortgages
These independently wealthy household names have borrowed to purchase or refinance a home within the past 15 years:
- In 2018, Elon Musk took out more than $60 million in mortgages across multiple properties, despite having a fortune greater than $23 billion.
- In 2017, Beyoncé and Jay-Z took out a $53 million mortgage on an $88 million mansion, while having a net worth of more than $1.5 billion.
- In 2012, Mark Zuckerberg refinanced his home even though his net worth exceeded $15 billion.
While they could have used cash to complete these real estate transactions, they chose to keep their money in the bank (or invested in other assets).
When borrowing makes sense, even for the rich
There are several reasons you might want to take out a mortgage even if paying for a home in cash is an option, including:
- Your money earns a higher interest rate than your home loan charges. The average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate is 6.11%. The average annual return of the S&P 500 index from 1928 to 2024 is 8%.
- You have a lot of valuable assets, but they're not liquid. People who own real estate or businesses can be very wealthy, but they can't tap into that nest egg without selling some assets, which they might not want to do. Elon Musk falls into this category.
- You want to keep the cash available for other purposes. Money in the bank gives you options. You can invest, pay for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities or handle emergencies without incurring debt (unless that's your choice).
- You want to take advantage of the tax breaks. If you itemize your deductions, you can write off the mortgage interest you pay on your income taxes. You'll also have more money available to invest in tax-advantaged accounts, like a 401(k), individual retirement account (IRA) or health savings account (HSA), further reducing your tax liability.
- You appreciate the flexibility your home loan offers. If interest rates drop, you can refinance your mortgage to save money. You can also pay off your house early if desired.
People who borrow strategically understand that there's a difference between good debt and bad debt. Good debt helps you purchase an appreciating asset, such as a home or an education linked to a profitable career.
Bad debt finances a depreciating asset (or no asset), such as a car or a vacation, and often carries a high interest rate.
Working with a financial adviser or wealth planner can help buyers understand how real estate fits into their broader financial plan. Instead of viewing a mortgage as a necessity, strategic borrowers might use financing to preserve cash reserves, keep investment portfolios working, or maintain flexibility for future opportunities.
A financial professional can help weigh borrowing costs against potential investment returns, tax considerations and long-term wealth goals.
How to buy a house without a mortgage
While there's nothing wrong with responsibly leveraging debt, there's also nothing wrong with wanting to avoid it altogether. Even though you likely don't have a nine-figure net worth, there might be some ways you can buy a home with cash, such as:
- Delaying your home purchase. If you have time on your side, consider consistently stashing money in a high-yield savings account (HYSA) or brokerage account, allowing it to grow over the years. Once you have sufficient funds, withdraw the necessary amount to buy your dream property.
- Asking for help. Your family might be willing to chip in toward your house fund. You might also receive an inheritance that covers some or all the purchase price.
- Borrowing from yourself. You may be able to borrow up to 50% of your 401(k) balance to put toward your home purchase. However, those funds will miss the benefit of compound interest until they're repaid. Additionally, failing to repay the loan can result in financial penalties and tax implications.
Buying a home is rarely a one-size-fits-all financial decision. For some buyers, paying cash offers peace of mind and eliminates monthly debt obligations. For others, using a mortgage can preserve liquidity, support investment growth and create long-term financial flexibility.
The right approach depends on your income stability, investment strategy, risk tolerance and long-term goals. Whether you choose to pay cash or borrow strategically, the most important factor is making sure your housing decision supports your overall financial plan, not just your desire to own a home.
Curious about today's rates? Use the tool below to explore and compare some of today's top mortgage offers:
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