Elon Musk's 'No House' Pledge Resurfaces Amid Texas Property Acquisitions

Elon Musk's declaration that he would "own no house" has resurfaced amid renewed interest in his real estate footprint. The pledge, made on X (then Twitter), quickly became one of the billionaire's most widely discussed personal commitments. "I am selling almost all physical possessions. Will own no house," Musk wrote on 1 May 2020. When another user asked why, he replied with a single word: "Freedom."

According to Architectural Digest, Musk owned seven high-value properties in California before announcing the sell-off. These included 16,251-square-foot mansion in Bel Air, several neighbouring homes that together formed a private compound, the former home of actor Gene Wilder, and the historic Hillsborough estate known as Guignécourt. Together, the properties were listed for more than $100 million. One of the most notable sales involved Gene Wilder's former home. Musk said he wanted the property to retain its character, writing that it "cannot be torn down or lose any its soul". According to Architectural Digest, the house was eventually sold to Wilder's nephew. The Hillsborough mansion was the last property sold from Musk's portfolio, ending the disposal of his California real estate.

Following the sales, Musk said he no longer owned a conventional home. As per Architectural Digest, he has said he lives in a pre-fabricated modular house near SpaceX's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The compact home being a stark contrast to the luxury estates he previously owned. Musk has also stated that when travelling, he often stays with friends rather than maintaining multiple residences.

However, an investigation by The Wall Street Journal, found that companies linked to Musk later acquired several high-end properties in Texas. According to the investigation, at least three neighbouring houses in West Lake Hills, an affluent suburb of Austin, were purchased between 2022 and 2025. The report said the homes were intended to accommodate the mothers of some of Musk's children and their families. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Musk himself spent time at a waterfront mansion owned by a friend and in luxury apartments in Austin, while businesses associated with him expanded land holdings around Tesla's Gigafactory and the planned community of Snailbrook. According to the report, some of the Texas properties were later sold or transferred to companies connected with Musk's associates.