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Writer's pictureAngie Clarke

Ready to Retire? 5 Things Homeowners Need to Consider Before Selling Their Home



Are you ready to retire and sell your home? As exciting as this life change can be, it’s also a big decision with major financial implications. After all, the value of your home is likely one of the largest assets you own. Before putting up the ‘for sale’ sign, there are five things that retirees should consider in order to maximize their return on investment and ensure they have enough money set aside for retirement funds. We'll provide an overview of those five key points so you can make the most informed decisions when it comes to selling your house. Read on to learn how best to navigate through this important chapter in life!


The Financial Implications when Retiring and Selling Your Home


Retiring and selling your home can have serious financial implications, so it's important to carefully consider all the options before making a final decision. If you’ve recently retired or are about to retire, you may be considering selling your home for a number of reasons: to downsize, switch locations, reduce living expenses, or just for a change of pace. No matter what your reason is for wanting to sell your house, there will be some financial implications associated with it.


When selling a house, you should always take into account the closing costs and real estate fees that will need to be paid. These costs typically include things like appraisal fees (which does not include any repairs that may be necessary), title insurance, inspections, legal fees and other miscellaneous costs. You will also need to pay capital gains taxes on some or all of the profit you make from the sale of the house – however in some cases this can be deferred until later on in life if certain conditions are met. Additionally, if you plan on purchasing another home after selling your current one, you will have to factor in moving costs and any money needed for renovations or upgrades on the new property.


It’s also important to remember that when selling a home there is no guarantee that you will get the full asking price – there could be negotiation involved with potential buyers which could bring down the sale price significantly. Therefore it is crucial that you consider all these factors when deciding whether or not selling your home is a good move financially. It’s wise to speak with a financial adviser or other experienced professionals who can help guide you through this process so that you make informed decisions about how best to proceed with regards to retiring and selling your home.


Estimate Your Home’s Value and Understand the Market


Consider consulting a professional such as a realtor if you want a more precise figure regarding the estimated value of your home. When having an appraisal done on your house, they will take into account various factors such as square footage, amenities offered and location when determining the value of a property. Realtors will also do Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) which looks at sale prices of similar homes in nearby areas to determine an estimated price range for your property. Knowing what professionals think is valuable about your home can help you make informed decisions when negotiating a sale price or refinancing loan amount with lenders.


Find a Reliable Real Estate Agent and Negotiate the Best Price


When it comes to finding a reliable real estate agent and negotiating the best price, there are a few key steps you should take. First, research agents in your area and look for agents who have high ratings and positive reviews. Speak to multiple agents before deciding on one. Ask them questions about their experience level, what services they offer, what fees they charge, etc. Be sure to read through any contract or agreement documents before signing off on anything.


When starting to think about purchasing your retirement home, you’ll want to find out what the market is like in your area so you can make an informed decision about how much to offer for a property. Research pricing trends, average home values and an estimate of how much renovation costs may be involved if you plan on buying a fixer-upper property. Having an accurate understanding of the local market will help you determine your budget and negotiate accordingly.


It is important to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan prior to searching for your next home...especially when considering retirement. Since your income structure will most likely change upon retiring, you may need special documentation or have different approval parameters than you would have when getting a loan while employed full-time.


Consider Investing in Retirement Funds to Supplement Income


Retirement funds are one of the most powerful tools to supplement income in retirement. Investing in a retirement fund can provide a dependable source of passive income that can help retirees pay for their everyday expenses, such as housing, food, and medical care. When selling your home, are you considering investing some of the profit? Retirement funds also offer tax advantages that make them attractive to retirees who may want to reduce their taxes. Additionally, retirement funds can be used to pass money onto descendants when the retiree passes away.


In order to maximize the benefits associated with a retirement fund, it is important for retirees to do their research and compare different types of investments. Some common options include mutual funds, index funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), and stocks or bonds. Each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages; understanding the pros and cons of each can help ensure that retirees maximize their returns on their investments while avoiding unnecessary risks.

Finally, it is important for retirees to stay diversified by investing in different asset classes in order to minimize risk and increase returns over time. Staying diversified means spreading out investments across different asset classes instead of investing heavily in just one area; this helps reduce risk since not all assets will be affected by market changes at the same time. By taking proactive steps like these when investing in a retirement fund, individuals will be better prepared for retirement and able to enjoy life after work without worrying about finances too much.

Retiring and selling your home is a big financial step. Be sure to consider all of the financial implications that come with it. If done correctly, you can make a great deal of money from the sale of your home if you use the tips outlined in this blog post: estimate your home’s value, research all options for selling your property, find a reliable real estate agent and negotiate the best price, be mindful of taxes and fees during the sales process, and consider investing in retirement funds to supplement income. By following these detailed steps, you can be sure to make an informed decision when it comes time to retire. Make sure to do your research so that you can maximize profits and savings by selling your home at retirement. If you have any other questions regarding retirement and the sale of your home, don't hesitate to contact us today! Read more here on how to retire comfortably and protect yourself financially when selling your home.


Find Your Utah Home with Angie Clarke and UT Makes Moves / Keller Williams Realty


If you are looking for the right Utah home, then give Angie Clarke with UT Makes Moves a call. I aim to offer an exceptional relocation experience and unparalleled customer service through prompt communication, ethics and integrity, and the utmost care / concern for my clients!


Angie Clarke with UT Makes Moves is your local Salt Lake City home expert, specializing in working with buyers who are relocating to Utah. Whether you are buying or selling, I'd love the opportunity to make your relocation journey smooth and successful...I strive to provide Relocation Elevated: easing minds, building community, and finding home.


To get started on finding the ideal Utah home for you, take a look at my buyer's or seller's guides, or schedule a time to meet with me today. You can also contact me at angelaclarke@kw.com or call (904) 226-3894. I'd love to be your Salt Lake City Realtor.

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