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Old 03-15-2014, 09:07 AM   #21
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Why do you want to get new debt when retired? If you cannot afford to own it outright, buying seems to be a bad idea.
+1

The thought of taking on a new mortgage after working so hard to get this one paid off makes me cringe. Rent, then buy when you sell your place 'up nort'.
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Old 03-15-2014, 09:18 AM   #22
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Originally Posted by kcowan View Post
Why do you want to get new debt when retired? If you cannot afford to own it outright, buying seems to be a bad idea.

I could pay cash, but prefer to keep my cash more liquid. Also,

1). I will have a decent pension
2) my DP (darling partner) will continue working for several more years until an annuity and my SS kicks in.
3) eventual sale of primary home in near future would payoff the debt
4) real estate in south Fla is significantly undervalued (I believe)

Believe me, I'm debt adverse, but with property values and mortgage rates this low, I think we have a perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity.
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Old 03-15-2014, 09:57 AM   #23
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Originally Posted by Siestatime View Post
4) real estate in south Fla is significantly undervalued (I believe)

Believe me, I'm debt adverse, but with property values and mortgage rates this low, I think we have a perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity.
Sorry to tell you this but property in South Florida has been rising . The great bargains have been bought up by real estate investors .
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Old 03-15-2014, 09:57 AM   #24
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Originally Posted by Siestatime View Post
I could pay cash, but prefer to keep my cash more liquid. Also,

1). I will have a decent pension
2) my DP (darling partner) will continue working for several more years until an annuity and my SS kicks in.
3) eventual sale of primary home in near future would payoff the debt
4) real estate in south Fla is significantly undervalued (I believe)

Believe me, I'm debt adverse, but with property values and mortgage rates this low, I think we have a perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity.
So why do you need advice? It's a "once in a lifetime opportunity", so go for it. The sooner the better.
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Old 03-15-2014, 10:08 AM   #25
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So why do you need advice? It's a "once in a lifetime opportunity", so go for it. The sooner the better.

Thanks. Have a nice day.
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Old 03-15-2014, 10:10 AM   #26
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Thanks. Have a nice day.
You're welcome.
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Old 03-15-2014, 10:20 AM   #27
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I refied our home just before I retired. I knew I was leaving work but their application didn't ask that question and I felt no obligation to disclose it.

The process is a bit stupid though. If someone has significant assets, does a lender really think that they will let their home go into foreclosure and lose any equity they might have in the process?

We had two homes pre-retirement; moved into our vacation home (up north but on the water) and sold the home we raised our kids in. Getting down to one home and one set of home expenses is part of the reason I felt comfortable retiring.

While we snowbird, I'm in no hurry to buy a winter home. I can rent for a few months for much less than the opportunity and carrying costs of a winter home. I figure that for each $100k of value a winter home would cost me about $7k and I can rent a nicer place for 3 months for less than that. Besides, we're unsure of where we would really like to spend our winters (FL? AZ? TX barrier islands? GA? SC? HI? Carribean?)

If we found a place we really liked I would consider a second home, particularly if it was located in a popular summer location so we could rent it during the summers and generate income so it could carry itself (like SC or TX).
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Old 03-15-2014, 11:24 AM   #28
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Originally Posted by kcowan View Post
Why do you want to get new debt when retired? If you cannot afford to own it outright, buying seems to be a bad idea.
In my case, I could easily afford to pay off all loans and not borrow to buy. Instead, I look at mortgage debt as a tool to help me improve financial performance. I don't have an emotional reaction against debt, no more than I do against buying a particular asset class. If the risks and rewards make sense, I do it. When I can borrow at extremely low costs, it makes good sense. The latest is just a touch over 3% fixed-a no-brainer. I do use shorter maturities primarily to lower the costs. Even if I didn't pay extra or sell a property and repay the debt, it will all be gone before I turn 68.
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Old 03-15-2014, 11:45 AM   #29
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Neither, homes are demanding of my time and money.
Agree. modern people are not really comfortable with idleness, no matter what we say. So retirement may bring small business purchases, second (or third home) purchases, volunteering campaigns, regular remodeling projects whether DIY or contracted, ad infinitum. Any of these things, and any boat beyond an aluminum rowboat or canoe are fine for truly wealthy people-$25+ million. Otherwise, it is just a continuation of slavery only under a different name, and with the cash flow often going in the wrong direction.
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Old 03-16-2014, 05:16 PM   #30
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Everyone is different. We bought the cabin in Colorado almost 5 years ago, before the crash, refinanced to a 15 year at 4.5% in 2009, and paid off our first and second on the Houston home (the latter to send the boys through college) last year, so the cabin is the only house debt and not very significant.
It's a day's drive from Texas, but we're likely to move to the PacNW next year (or two), so the question of whether we keep the cabin is in the air. We could lease it or sell it if we decide not to keep it. The boys and their SOs meet us over X-Mas, at times over Thanksgiving (skiing), and once or twice in summer to flyfish, so we'll see what happens.
If you're planning to loan the money, I would do it before retiring.
My grandfather built his cabin, partly out of condemned Oklahoma house lumber, when I was 6, below Aspen, so describing the cabin as sentimental value is a bit of a misnomer. Kind of a modern-day River Runs Through It childhood, but we might sell it and buy something similar closer in the PacNW. That won't be decided for 3-5 years--we're likely to move West next year or maybe early 2016.

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Originally Posted by Siestatime View Post
Our home up north has less than $20k mortgage left. Market value of approx $300,000. I'm planning on FIREing before the end of 2015. We want to get a second home in Florida, at least to snowbird for the next few winters. After that, may rent/sell the home up north. We will very likely get a mortgage to buy the house/condo in Fla.

My salary is in the very, very low six figures and I'm sure I'd qualify for a mortgage. I could take a HELOC to fund the new place as well.

Question: besides the obvious improved qualification (based on salary) to get a mortgage, what are the pros and cons of buying real estate before or after retirement? Has anyone gone through a mortgage process while in retirement?

PS: BiggerPockets has a lot of real estate info, but the wisdom from this forum seems more appropriate and valuable to me��
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Old 03-16-2014, 06:57 PM   #31
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I too have toyed with this idea. Tired of the winter here in Colorado and really want to get out and ride the HOG. Too much gravel on the roads still. However I rented a condo in Scottsdale for Spring training and AZ bike week. Spouse is there now with one of the baseball moms from son's team. I leave this week with the kids and two motorcycles. Buddy will fly in once wife and kids come home and we will ride for another week. For years we have toyed with the idea of having a second home to escape the weather. Life schedule has got in the way. However, I am getting to start a new position that will allow me to work from anywhere, kids more active in baseball with more trips to AZ, and the desire to get more riding in may be a catalyst to add a second place. However I go back and forth on the perceived lost opportunity cost of having another place plus I must admit if I am going to do it I want a nice place in a gated community where everything is done. Maybe I will just do a longer rental as its probably cheaper in the long run.

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Old 03-16-2014, 07:28 PM   #32
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.... The area is one of the leading areas for sink holes, which affected a rental property we had purchased nearby. We've learned there are sink hole maps online that anyone thinking of purchasing a home in Florida should review...
Hi Dashman,

Thanks for taking the time for your very detailed answer. I am glad to hear that you and your family still got a lot of value from your property, even if you don't want to make it your main retirement residence.

Sink holes and sink hole maps are certainly something I have never considered.

Best of luck with your new home.
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Old 03-16-2014, 08:46 PM   #33
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My wife and I are going to Palm Springs tomorrow to look at a few condos.

We'll pay cash if we buy, but I'm torn on purchasing.

Here are a few pros and cons for me:

Pros:

We can bring our dog to stay with us.
There are tennis courts and swimming pools.
Of course golf.
We like visiting Palm Springs and could easily hang out a week or 2 at a time.
Use for a Home Exchange to travel world more cheaply.
Rent out condo.
I'm handy, can do most repairs.

Cons:
Don't like spending $100K and incurring more bills instead of growing wealth.
Don't like owning property that's not within 50 miles.
Usually try to maintain simplicity rather than complicate life.
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Old 03-17-2014, 07:27 AM   #34
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We spent a week in Palm Springs in January. Nice area. We were surprised how cool it gets at night. I'm surprised you could get a condo for $100k. We dropped in on a couple open houses and were surprised at the asking prices - they seemed high for what you get.
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Old 03-17-2014, 08:03 AM   #35
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Rent out condo.
I would look at Homeaway and VRBO so see what the competition is. You'll also be able to see the bookings they have via the calander.

I tried Home Exchange with our lake house ... pretty much a waste of time. WAY too many homes in the 'burbs of the midwest that considered their house an even trade. NOT HAPPENING. Spent way too much time responding to useless inquiries. Then when we wanted to go someplace you quickly realize displacing an entire family from their house for a week is challenging.
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Old 03-17-2014, 08:18 AM   #36
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Originally Posted by Siestatime View Post
I could pay cash, but prefer to keep my cash more liquid. Also,

1). I will have a decent pension
2) my DP (darling partner) will continue working for several more years until an annuity and my SS kicks in.
3) eventual sale of primary home in near future would payoff the debt
4) real estate in south Fla is significantly undervalued (I believe)

Believe me, I'm debt adverse, but with property values and mortgage rates this low, I think we have a perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity.
We bought 1.5 years ago because is was very close to the bottom of the market. We got a very good deal and I believe there are still deals to be had. We are helping a few family members who are looking right now.

We love owning, maybe just us. It also lets us bring our dogs which is a requirement.
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Old 03-17-2014, 10:25 AM   #37
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Fractional ownership may be a good economic compromise for many people. However, I suspect it is difficult to find a fraction in a dog-friendly resort.
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Old 03-17-2014, 02:19 PM   #38
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There are non-financial aspects of this decision as well.

Many of us find that our desires and point of view changes in retired life, as compared with what they were when we were working.

Some people find that the drive to get away on vacations or to move miles away, diminishes once they have retired. There is no longer anything to get away from, no need to physically remove oneself from the source of stress because it is no longer an issue.

So, my suggestion is to consider waiting for at least a year after retirement before buying the second home.
I agree, and if possible rent in the area you are considering purchasing before making the commitment. You may find that you love it and you may find that it's not what you expected.

We've found that social opportunities and activities (hiking, biking, working out, etc.) have become much more important to us in retirement but it took us a couple of years to figure that out. Had we purchased before we finished working I'm sure we would have ended up in the wrong place.
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Old 03-17-2014, 02:35 PM   #39
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I too have toyed with this idea. Tired of the winter here in Colorado and really want to get out and ride the HOG. Too much gravel on the roads still. However I rented a condo in Scottsdale for Spring training and AZ bike week. Spouse is there now with one of the baseball moms from son's team. I leave this week with the kids and two motorcycles. Buddy will fly in once wife and kids come home and we will ride for another week. For years we have toyed with the idea of having a second home to escape the weather. Life schedule has got in the way. However, I am getting to start a new position that will allow me to work from anywhere, kids more active in baseball with more trips to AZ, and the desire to get more riding in may be a catalyst to add a second place. However I go back and forth on the perceived lost opportunity cost of having another place plus I must admit if I am going to do it I want a nice place in a gated community where everything is done. Maybe I will just do a longer rental as its probably cheaper in the long run.

JDARNELL
Definitely cheaper in the long-run. Look at the carrying costs of owning a second home - property tax, insurance, HOAs, utilities, yard maintenance, exterminator, repairs, routine maintenance, large periodic maintenance, someone to keep an eye on the place, etc. Now add on the opportunity cost of what that money could be earning and the interest cost if the home is financed and the cost is HUGE!

I hear friends refer to their second homes as "investments" and I have to chuckle to myself.
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Old 03-17-2014, 02:57 PM   #40
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I get together for lunch two or three times a year with three retired former co-workers, all who have second homes - heck one has two second homes, a lake house nearby and a condo on a golf course in FL. I sometimes feel a bit left out when the conversation inevitably gets around to complaints about homeowners insurance, condo association assessments,
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... property tax, HOAs, utilities, yard maintenance, exterminator, repairs, routine maintenance, large periodic maintenance, someone to keep an eye on the place, etc.
But then I get over it.
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