You’d think the man who basically owns the American economy would live in a place with a private helipad or at least a gold-plated gate. Instead, he’s at a corner lot in a neighborhood where people still rake their own leaves. Honestly, the warren buffett house address omaha is probably the most famous "normal" house in the world.
He didn't buy a mega-mansion in 1958 because he was poor; he bought it because it made sense. He paid $31,500 for it. In today’s money, that’s roughly the price of a mid-sized SUV, yet it’s where he’s spent the last 67 years. People trek to 5505 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68132, just to take a selfie with a fence. It’s wild.
The Actual Specs of 5505 Farnam Street
The house itself isn't a shack, let's be real. It’s a 6,570-square-foot Dutch Colonial that looks like it belongs on a postcard for "Classic Midwest Living."
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- Size: 6,570 square feet.
- Rooms: 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms (though some local records hint at more updates over the years).
- Lot: About 0.73 acres on a corner.
- Security: There are cameras and probably some very alert guys in suits nearby, but there’s no massive wall.
It’s got a "barn-style" roof and a greyish-beige stucco exterior. If you drove past it without knowing who lived there, you’d just think, "Nice house. That guy probably does well for himself." You wouldn't think, "That's where the guy with $140+ billion eats his McDonald’s breakfast."
Why He Refuses to Move
People ask him all the time why he doesn't upgrade. He’s got the cash to buy a private island or ten. Buffett’s answer is always basically the same: he’s happy there. He’s warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and it’s convenient.
It’s also a massive part of his "inner scorecard." Most people buy houses to impress others—that’s an outer scorecard. Buffett doesn't care if you're impressed. He likes his 5-minute commute to the Kiewit Plaza. He likes that his kids grew up there.
There’s a funny story about the house being his "third best investment." He says the memories are the real ROI. Financially, he actually jokes that he would’ve made way more money if he had just rented a place and put that $31k into the market. Think about that. The greatest investor ever admits his house was a sub-par "investment" compared to stocks, but he keeps it because of the utility.
The Neighborhood: Dundee
The house is in the Dundee neighborhood. It’s historic. It’s classy. It’s full of doctors, lawyers, and professors. It’s definitely "nice," but it’s not "billionaire row."
Walking around there, you’ll see sidewalks and mature trees. It’s the kind of place where neighbors actually know each other. Buffett’s presence doesn't actually inflate the property values as much as you'd think. A house across the street might sell for $1.3 million, which is pricey for Omaha but peanuts for a global financial hub.
The Birthplace of a Legacy
Inside those walls is a room that most investors would treat like a holy shrine. In the mid-50s, before he even bought the Farnam Street house, Buffett was renting a place at 5202 Underwood Ave. That’s where he started Buffett Associates with just a few family members and friends.
When he moved to the current address on Farnam, that "office" moved with him. For years, he didn't even have a calculator or a computer in his home office. Just a phone and a lot of annual reports.
What You See When You Visit
If you decide to do the pilgrimage to the warren buffett house address omaha, don’t expect a tour. You can’t go inside. There’s no gift shop.
You’ll see a simple fence. You might see a security guard car idling nearby. You’ll definitely see other tourists. During the Berkshire Hathaway "Woodstock for Capitalists" weekend in May, the street is packed. People treat it like a monument.
Lessons From a 67-Year-Old House Purchase
Buffett’s house is a physical manifestation of "compounding." Not just money, but habits.
- Avoid Lifestyle Creep: Just because you can afford a 20-bedroom palace doesn't mean you need the headache of maintaining it.
- Invest in Utility: Buy things that make you happy and work well, then stop looking for the "next best thing."
- Stability Matters: Having a consistent base allowed him to focus entirely on his work for decades without the distraction of moving or remodeling.
The real takeaway? The house at 5505 Farnam Street isn't just a building; it’s a filter. It filters out the noise of the world and lets him focus on what he’s actually good at: picking winners.
Next Steps for You:
If you're ever in Omaha, drive by Dundee around 8:00 AM. You might catch a glimpse of the silver Cadillac (or whatever he's driving these days) heading toward the office. Just don't block the driveway—the man has work to do. Look into the Douglas County Assessor's site if you want to see the nitty-gritty tax history; it’s all public record and a fascinating look at how a "normal" house appreciates over seven decades.