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Best way to use your house in retirement?

Posted on 3/26/25 at 2:42 pm
Posted by BabyTac
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2008
14254 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 2:42 pm
Been thinking long and hard about this. Homes are money pits (repairs, updates, insurance, property taxes, etc.). Is it smart if you own your home to sell it, invest that money, and rent from there on out?

Otherwise it’s just a 500k asset that’s costing you more than it’s worth to you. Would like to hear thoughts on best ways to maximize a home during retirement?
Posted by VABuckeye
NOVA
Member since Dec 2007
37478 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 2:49 pm to
We are tlking about splitting 50/50 between the US and Spain when we retire.

There's a chance we will purchase a property in Spain and rent in the US. Mortgage rates are much lower there as is the price of real estate. Just a thought right now but it may have legs.
Posted by notsince98
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
19998 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 2:57 pm to
maintaining a house is usually much cheaper than renting.
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
144345 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 3:00 pm to
quote:

Best way to use your house in retirement?
i'm considering as a brothel. Low overhead but a boucoup liability. What's your thoughts?
Posted by Suntiger
STG or BR or somewhere else
Member since Feb 2007
34563 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 3:02 pm to
It’s not Tom Selleck’s first rodeo, and boy does he have an offer for you!
Posted by CharlesUFarley
Daphne, AL
Member since Jan 2022
713 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 3:06 pm to
It was many years after college before I was finally able to buy a house.

After renting for all those years, there is NO WAY I will ever share walls again, not to mention a whole lot of other things.

Posted by FortunateSon
Tennessee
Member since Apr 2024
48 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 3:37 pm to
quote:

Would like to hear thoughts on best ways to maximize a home during retirement

One advantage of keeping a home is that it can be used as long term care insurance for one spouse. When the time comes for the last spouse to leave the house, it can be sold and the proceeds can cover years of long term care.
Posted by WM88
West Monroe
Member since Aug 2004
1845 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 5:00 pm to
If I rent an apartment, where would I put my wife's 15 cats?

My house isn't worth anywhere near 500k (200k max)
Posted by PlanoPrivateer
Frisco, TX
Member since Jan 2004
2883 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 5:13 pm to
quote:

i'm considering as a brothel. Low overhead but a boucoup liability. What's your thoughts?


My thoughts, PM your address and phone number once in business.
Posted by Billy Blanks
Member since Dec 2021
4737 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 5:54 pm to
quote:

Otherwise it’s just a 500k asset that’s costing you more than it’s worth to you. Would like to hear thoughts on best ways to maximize a home during retirement?


Renting is an option until the landlord wants to sell and you're forced to move again. The last thing I'll want to do in my 70's is some guy selling his house and forcing me into a move.

The biggest reason for me to own is to have full autonomy of where I'll be.
Posted by JohnnyKilroy
Cajun Navy Vice Admiral
Member since Oct 2012
38370 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 9:02 pm to
quote:

The biggest reason for me to own is to have full autonomy of where I'll be.




Ehh.

On one hand, yes, you don't have a landlord.

on the other hand, you are tethered to an immovable asset that may be difficult or costly to get out of should the need arise (environmental damage/risk, economic downturn, etc)

If you rent, you can walk away easy peasy with no extra skin off your back at least yearly if not more often.

If you're not inclined or have no reason to maintain and pass a "family" home, then I can see the flexibility and lidquidity of renting being attractive.
Posted by Billy Blanks
Member since Dec 2021
4737 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 10:38 pm to
quote:

on the other hand, you are tethered to an immovable asset that may be difficult or costly to get out of should the need arise (environmental damage/risk, economic downturn, etc)



Can have a house sold in 30-45 days. Easy to get out of.
Posted by oneg8rh8r
Port Ludlow, WA
Member since Dec 2003
2855 posts
Posted on 3/26/25 at 10:54 pm to
I retired about 9 years ago. We purchased a unique home and enjoyed it and did a whole house refurbish over the first 5 years. With my new consulting job, we do a lot of traveling, and I always had friends who asked why I didn't rent out my home. So, 2 years ago, we listed it on AIRBNB / VRBO, etc. and now the home basically pays for its own mortgage(55k), utilities(13K) and (~25K) extra.

We block it out the entire winter from Thanksgiving until April 1 & we simply block out any periods we want to stay in the house for ourselves. Otherwise, we are traveling or camping.

It's got to be a unique home and not just another rental just like all the others. We have 3 real comp for Seattle +/- 60 miles.
Posted by notsince98
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
19998 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 6:58 am to
quote:

If you rent, you can walk away easy peasy with no extra skin off your back at least yearly if not more often.



except the cost of moving because at that age you wont be able to move yourself. So figure an extra $3k-5k per year for every move.
Posted by SDVTiger
Cabo San Lucas
Member since Nov 2011
86947 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 7:20 am to
Reverse Mortgage the second i turn 62
Posted by BabyTac
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2008
14254 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 7:46 am to
quote:

Reverse Mortgage the second i turn 62


I’ve actually been looking into this as what seems like a great option. The wife and I have no kids so no reason to save the value post death.
Posted by slackster
Houston
Member since Mar 2009
89380 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 7:53 am to
quote:

Reverse Mortgage the second i turn 62


Is this your opinion regardless of assets, cash flow, income needs, etc?
Posted by SDVTiger
Cabo San Lucas
Member since Nov 2011
86947 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 8:48 am to
quote:

I’ve actually been looking into this as what seems like a great option. The wife and I have no kids so no reason to save the value post death.


Best loan ever created for this sceanrio

How much do you owe and whats the value
Posted by BabyTac
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2008
14254 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 8:50 am to
quote:

How much do you owe and whats the value


Value around $500,000 and own outright.
Posted by SDVTiger
Cabo San Lucas
Member since Nov 2011
86947 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 8:53 am to
Thats a must then

Get that credit line and enjoy the 8% growth rate until you need a draw



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