Financing the Home Where You'll Spend Your Retirement

Financing what will likely be your last home purchase is one of the major components of long-term financial planning. Because it comprises a significant portion of your resources, it is just as important as deciding where to live and what type of house to buy. Read on for an overview of some options.

Buy your retirement home with the equity from your current home.

Many use retirement as an opportunity to downsize and simplify. Selling your larger home may free up enough equity to buy your new home outright or make a large down payment. While paying with the freed-up cash may be the easiest way to finance the purchase, taking out a mortgage could provide significant benefits, such as sheltering taxable income and keeping resources available for other needs. Talk with your financial planner to identify the best course of action.

Buy your retirement home as a second home while you are still working.

Obtaining mortgage approval could be easier while you have employment income than after you retire. This is an option only if you have adequate disposable income because you would have to qualify for both the mortgage on your current home and your second home. Although it requires more income since you won’t be able to count potential rental income from the second location, buying the property as a second home rather than as an investment property will generally result in lower interest rates and down payment requirements and easier qualification. You may want to make this move five to ten years before you retire.

Obtaining a mortgage for your last home purchase.