
For most of the last sixty years, investing in a home has been considered a sure way to get started on preparing for retirement. Thousands of Minneapolis homes for sale and Saint Paul homes for sale have sold as safe vehicles for working professionals to accrue value in the form of home equity. It's a reliable and effective strategy.
But today's financial picture is a lot more complex in many ways. Paying off a mortgage before retirement is no longer a sure thing. At the same time, those who have substantial home equity have more ways to access it, even if they decide not to sell. How close you are to a full mortgage payoff also makes a difference.
The practicalities of selling your home and downsizing before retirement are easy to understand. Many people want a smaller home that's easier to clean and navigate. Smaller homes also cost less in heating, cooling, and lighting. But the financial impact of deciding to sell before retirement isn't always as obvious.