Eden Masliah, a 21-year-old content creator, has recently made headlines for becoming a homeowner at a remarkably young age. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, she shared her journey from a passionate teenager creating online content to securing her own apartment in New York City—a feat that many millennials and Gen Z individuals aspire to but find increasingly out of reach.
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Originally from Montreal, Masliah embarked on her content creation journey at the tender age of 11. Initially, she gained traction on YouTube before transitioning to TikTok at 16. After moving to New York City at 17, she pursued content creation more seriously, balancing her passion alongside studying fashion merchandising at LIM College. However, Masliah soon realised that her heart was not in her studies and made the bold decision to leave college midway through. By that time, she had already begun making a sustainable income from brand partnerships.
In her candid reflections, Masliah explained, “I realised that the whole merchandising and marketing thing was not exactly what I wanted. I was just half-assing my schoolwork while also paying a huge amount for it. I thought, ‘Why am I doing this?’” With the backing of her mother, she obtained her associate degree but decided to fully commit to her burgeoning career in content creation.
Masliah’s financial journey towards homeownership began with a disciplined approach to savings. By earmarking 50% of her income from her larger brand deals, she accumulated around $250,000, which would later become crucial in her property search. “It was intense saving,” she admitted. “As a content creator, you have to be diligent about taxes, especially when receiving income as a 1099 employee.”
Despite her impressive savings, the thought of purchasing an apartment was not initially on Masliah’s radar. Her father, who had passed away from ALS, had left her and her sisters money intended for investments such as property. While this financial support was instrumental, Masliah was determined to avoid feeling dependent on it. “I didn’t want to wait until I was 25,” she recounted. “I understood that the value of money changes over time.”
After two years of living with a roommate, Masliah sought more space, driven by the desire for a better environment to create content and to alleviate the cramped living conditions she experienced in her East Village apartment. She began searching for apartments on StreetEasy but was met with high prices and disappointing options in Manhattan. “Every apartment I looked at was either too small or far too expensive,” she said.
Faced with the prospect of renting or relocating to Brooklyn for more space, Masliah turned her attention to homeownership. She soon found that certain properties were more affordable in terms of mortgage payments than the rent she was accustomed to. “I realised I could have a much nicer place for what I was paying in rent,” she stated.
Masliah eventually discovered a co-op that fit her needs, priced at $740,000, which was below her initial budget. While she had originally aimed for a condo due to their flexibility with renting, she chose the co-op for its unique characteristics, such as the possibility to rent it out—something not commonly allowed in co-op buildings. “It felt like a diamond in the rough,” she explained, highlighting the challenges she faced during her search.
After successfully acquiring the apartment, reality set in regarding the renovation of her new home, which required a significant amount of work to bring it to her aesthetic vision. “Even the decision-making about renovations was overwhelming because I felt constrained by my budget,” she revealed, noting a projected expense of around $60,000 when all was said and done.
Despite the privilege associated with her situation, Masliah expressed mixed feelings about her accomplishments. “I do acknowledge the financial support I had from my father’s passing, which makes it tricky for me to feel entirely proud,” she confessed. Masliah understands the frustrations of her peers, many of whom worry about their own ability to become homeowners in a challenging property market. “It’s a real issue,” she remarked, empathising with the growing struggle many young people face.
In terms of furnishing her new space, Masliah is focused on lasting quality over fleeting trends. “I prefer to invest in timeless pieces,” she stated, “I want my home to reflect me and be something I can cherish for years to come.” As she completes her renovations and prepares to settle into her new apartment, Masliah remains hopeful for the journey ahead and encourages her followers to pursue their passions, no matter the obstacles.