Stop Saving for a Down Payment: Why Gen Z Is Becoming "Fractional Landlords" With Just $100 (And The Apps To Use)

Published on January 12, 2026
2 minute read

The "Dead" American Dream For millions of Americans under 40, the math simply doesn't add up anymore. With mortgage rates hovering around 7% and median home prices hitting record highs, saving for a traditional 20% down payment feels like trying to fill a bathtub with a thimble. You save $1,000, but house prices rise by $5,000.