As we know, real estate is a solid investment. It appreciates over time and can be a great source of passive income. For these reasons, financing a real estate property before retirement can be a savvy move.
Before you retire, financing a real estate property has many advantages. The most crucial is that it can provide financial stability during retirement. Additionally, it protects your assets and allows for portfolio diversification. Lastly, you continue to have opportunities to grow equity even after retirement age. Let’s break down these benefits.
A Stable Income Stream
Financing a real estate property before retirement can provide you with a stable income during retirement. This is because rental income is not subject to the whims of the stock market. In other words, your rental income will not be affected if the stock market tanks. This stability can offer peace of mind and help you meet your financial obligations during retirement.
If you want your property to generate a stable income, you can do the following:
Add a rental suite:
This can help offset the mortgage payments and provide you with extra money to spend during retirement.
Rent out rooms:
If you have a large home, you can rent out rooms to tenants for short-term or long-term stays.
Run a bed and breakfast:
If you live in a desirable location (near a beach or a peaceful suburb), you can open your home as a bed and breakfast to host travelers.
An important caveat is that you should only finance a property already generating rental income. This way, you know that the property can support itself and your mortgage payments.
Diversification and Asset Protection
Another benefit of financing a real estate property before retirement is that it can help diversify your portfolio and protect your assets. This is because real estate tends to be less volatile than stocks and other investments. So, if the stock market takes a nosedive, your real estate investment will likely remain steady—or even appreciated. This diversification can protect your portfolio from major losses and help ensure you have the funds you need during retirement.
There are ways to diversify your portfolio:
Add different types of investments:
These investments include stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. By adding these investments to your portfolio, you can protect yourself from losses in any one sector.
Geographic diversification:
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by investing only in your local market. Consider investing in other markets—such as major metropolitan areas or tourist destinations—that can offer higher returns.
Property type diversification:
Invest in more than one type of property. Diversify your portfolio by investing in residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
The Opportunity to Grow Your Equity
Financing a real estate property before retirement can allow you to continue to grow your equity. As we mentioned, real estate tends to appreciate over time. As the value of your property goes up, so does your equity—giving you more money to work with down the road. Plus, if you opt for a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly payments will stay the same even as interest rates rise. This means that more of your payment will go towards the principal each month, allowing you to build equity even faster.
There are several ways to grow your equity:
Make extra payments:
By making extra payments, you can pay off your mortgage faster and build equity quicker. Just be sure to check with your lender first to make sure there are no prepayment penalties.
Refinance:
Refinancing can help you secure a lower interest rate, saving you monthly money. This extra money can be used to make additional payments on your mortgage and grow your equity even faster.
Reinvest:
If you have the opportunity, reinvesting your rental income into the property can help you upgrade the property and boost its value, increasing your equity.
Properties to Invest In
Now that we’ve gone over the benefits of financing a real estate property before retirement let’s take a look at some of the best types of properties to invest in
Residential Income Properties
These properties—such as single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes—generate rental income from tenants. These properties are typically easy to finance and offer a steadier income stream than other investments.
Home and Land Packages
A house and land package entails purchasing a block of land and constructing a home—all under one process but still two contracts. The reason is that the land and the house are usually bought from different companies. Consequently, this creates two contracts instead of one. Generate income by selling the packages for a profit or keep them as rental properties.
Commercial Income Properties
These properties—such as office buildings, retail centers, and warehouses—generate business rental income. Commercial income properties can be more difficult to finance than residential properties. But, they often offer higher returns and can be less hands-on than other investments.
Vacation Rentals
Properties—such as condo units, apartments, and single-family homes—are used as vacation rentals. These properties are typically easy to finance and can offer high returns. And, if you live near the property, you can manage it yourself to save on costs.
Final Thought
Considering real estate as an investment before you retire could provide many benefits, like a steadier income during retirement and the growth potential of your asset. Additionally, it can help to diversify your portfolio and protect what you’ve already saved. If this sounds like something that interests you, speak with a financial advisor or real estate agent to learn more about how this strategy might benefit you.
