The Great Wealth Transfer of 2025
What It Means for Real Estate, Inheritance, and Investment in the South Carolina Lowcountry
As 2025 marks the largest number of Americans turning 65 in a single year, the stage is set for what economists and financial analysts are calling The Great Wealth Transfer. Over the next two decades, an unprecedented $84–$124 trillion in assets—primarily held by Baby Boomers—will pass into the hands of younger generations: Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. This historic transfer of wealth has profound implications for the economy, investment strategies, real estate markets, and individual financial planning, especially in regions like Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and the greater South Carolina Lowcountry.
What Is the Great Wealth Transfer?
Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are the wealthiest generation in American history, holding more than 51.8% of the nation’s wealth—an estimated $78.55 trillion (Reed, 2024). As this generation ages—youngest now 61 and oldest nearing 80—their wealth is gradually being passed to spouses, children, and charitable causes. By 2045, over $84 trillion is expected to change hands, reshaping the landscape of wealth and opportunity in America (Cerulli, 2024).
Real Estate and the Wealth Shift
One of the largest categories of inherited assets will be real estate. For Millennials and Gen Z—many of whom have faced economic headwinds like rising housing costs and student loan debt—this wealth transfer could be their entry point into homeownership and investment.
In South Carolina’s Lowcountry, where lifestyle, luxury, and land intersect, this could spark a boom in real estate activity:
- More First-Time Buyers: Inherited wealth may allow younger generations to finally afford down payments in desirable markets like Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.
- Upsizing or Relocation: Many inheritors may upgrade their homes or relocate to vacation or retirement destinations—making our area especially attractive due to its climate, lifestyle, and tax advantages.
- Portfolio Expansion: As younger generations show increased interest in real estate as a stable, appreciating asset, more inherited properties may be held as investments, adding inventory to the rental market.
If you’re planning to buy or sell in this evolving landscape, partnering with a local real estate expert is key to navigating both timing and opportunity.
Investment Trends Are Changing
The new generation of wealth holders is rethinking traditional investment strategies. According to Merrill Lynch:
- Younger investors are gravitating toward private equity, sustainable assets, and direct investments over traditional stocks and bonds.
- 73% of Millennials and Gen Z investors already hold ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) assets, compared to only 26% of older investors.
As this shift continues, expect to see more capital flowing into impact-driven ventures, green developments, and real estate projects that reflect environmental consciousness and community value.
Inheritance Planning and Wealth Management
With so much money in motion, estate planning is more crucial than ever. Families are now working with financial advisors, real estate brokers, and attorneys to:
- Prepare for property transitions
- Reduce estate taxes
- Create trusts to preserve multi-generational wealth
- Allocate charitable donations (estimated at $18 trillion by 2048)
At SCLuxuryHomes.com, we’ve helped countless families sell, inherit, and reposition real estate assets in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Whether it’s advising Baby Boomers on legacy planning or assisting Millennials making their first luxury purchase, we understand the nuances of this generational moment.
The Local Opportunity: Why the Lowcountry?
The South Carolina Lowcountry—home to Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and surrounding coastal communities—is ideally positioned to benefit from this wealth movement:
- Favorable tax environment for retirees and estate planning
- High-quality lifestyle with golf, boating, equestrian and lakefront communities
- Strong appreciation rates in luxury home markets
- Excellent schools and amenities attracting younger families
If you’re considering your next move—whether it’s selling an inherited property, downsizing, or investing for the future—this is your time to act.
Final Thoughts
The Great Wealth Transfer isn’t just a financial milestone—it’s a cultural and economic shift. It will redefine who owns assets, how wealth is invested, and which regions will thrive. In the Lowcountry, we are already seeing the early signs: new buyers, multigenerational wealth strategies, and a real estate market that is poised to evolve.
If you want to position yourself at the forefront of this transformation, connect with me at SCLuxuryHomes.com and let’s start the conversation.
