I have $30k saved up for a down payment and my parents are willing to put in $40k If I need it.

I always advise heirs (in addition to hiring an estate/re attorney) not to deed property out of a deceased parent's /estateinto theirs because all kinds of personal liablity issues that can effect the other heirs start popping up.

Burns' response are 1) that he does not identify which needs won't go away and 2) sometimes those needs appear unexpectantly later in life (care for an aging/frail parent(s), taking care of grandchildren, children that return to the nest, etc.).

Parent has cash (or could potnetially liqudate mostly into cash) and buys investment property in the child's name.

But until unemployment decreases and these young adults find the jobs, income, and stability to buy or rent a home, I think many of them are going to remain "boomerang" kids and continue living with their parents, once again denying the rental market another household to service.Since housing is not as liquid as other investments, like stocks and bonds, everything tends to move like molasses.

I plan on working full time after college while investing part time and expanding my parents business part time.

Realtyman, I agree with you in some aspects of life, but when it comes to buying real estate I do not agree.My parents helped me with the money to buy my frist investment property.

Without that you start competing with the luxury complexes catering to students sprouting up along the bus routes.The good news is that if you choose to sell you have three distinct target markets: rich parents buying for their kids, college rental investors, and regular homeowners including the college faculty/staff.

Offering money places value on the money.There was once a day care center that started charging parents who were late picking up their kids at the end of the day.

I have a new found respect for all those single parents out there!