Mom Turns Her Son’s College Housing Into a Real Estate Win

A South Carolina mom bought a townhome for her college-aged son near Clemson University, aiming to avoid high student housing costs and potentially make a profit or break even on the investment.

Why This Parent Chose to Buy Instead of Rent

LeAnne Carswell, a real estate agent, watched as her son and his roommates looked at trendy high-rise apartments charging $1,000–$1,200 per month, not including the need for roommates. Unwilling to “throw away” that much money, she explored purchasing a property, inspired by other parents who profited or minimized losses by doing the same for their college-bound children.

The Buying Process and Details

Carswell purchased a fully furnished, nearly new townhome in Pendleton (about 10 minutes from Clemson) for $227,000 in cash. The property has three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and over 1,500 square feet of space. While the home sat vacant for some time, she eventually rented one bedroom to her son’s friend for $775/month and considered renting out the third bedroom in the future.

Her Outlook and Advice to Intentional Parents

Carswell expects to at least break even or make a profit when she eventually sells the townhome. She notes that this approach isn’t just about saving on housing, but also about avoiding years of “wasting” $12,000 annually on standard college room and board, which can add up over time. While not every family is positioned to buy a property outright, her story highlights a creative alternative for intentional parents seeking to maximize both financial and housing security for their students. Full credit for this reported experience goes to Business Insider.

Key Takeaways for Families

• Owning vs. Renting: Parents with the means and real estate knowledge can potentially save money and gain flexibility by buying instead of renting student housing.
• Rental Income Offsets Costs: Renting extra rooms to other students can offset mortgage or purchase costs.
• Long-Term Outlook Matters: The final outcome—profit, loss, or break-even—depends on real estate market trends and the ability to rent out additional rooms.

This curated reflection is designed to help intentional parents evaluate alternative strategies for college housing, inspired by the full feature at Business Insider.