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Selling & Investing: Smart Real Estate Moves in Retirement
Ready to sell, downsize, or turn a property into an investment? This hub brings together our guides and calculators so you can run the numbers before you list your home or convert it to a rental.
Start with the stage you are in right now: preparing to sell, deciding how much space you really need, or choosing whether to sell or rent your current home.
Where would you like to start?
1. How to Price Your Home Realistically & Prepare It to Sell
If you are thinking about selling, the first step is understanding what your home is really worth in today’s market and how to present it so buyers take it seriously from day one. This guide explains how to work with a licensed real estate agent, answer key questions about timing and net proceeds, and avoid the most common pricing mistakes retirees make.
You’ll also find a practical checklist for decluttering, deep cleaning, improving curb appeal, and making sure systems like HVAC, plumbing, and appliances are ready for inspection.
2. Downsizing vs. Rightsizing: How Much Home Do You Really Need?
Downsizing is popular advice, but it’s not the right move for everyone. Many retirees still need space for visiting family, home offices, hobbies, or simply a little personal breathing room. This article walks through the difference between downsizing and rightsizing, including real-world examples from a retirement and vacation market on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
You’ll learn how to think about bedrooms, guest space, and layout, as well as when it makes sense to consider a single-story home, a condo, or occasionally renting extra space for large family gatherings instead of owning it year-round.
3. Selling vs. Renting Your Home in Retirement
Once you know where you want to live next, the final decision is what to do with your current home. Should you sell and simplify, or keep it as a rental and treat it as an investment property?
This decision guide covers cash-flow basics, cap rate concepts, the importance of professional property management, insurance and tax changes, and how the right choice often depends on your stage of retirement and health.
Run the Numbers with RetireCoast Calculators
Before you commit to selling, buying, or renting, spend a few minutes with these free tools. They are designed to help you stress-test your plans and avoid surprises.
- RetireCoast Calculators Hub — central access to all calculators.
- Rent vs. Buy Calculator — compare owning vs. renting in your next stage.
- Rental Property Cash Flow Calculator — see if a former home really works as a rental.
- Retirement Income From Savings Calculator — estimate how long your savings and equity may last.
- Relocation Budget Calculator — plan the true cost of a move.
Use the guides above for strategy and these calculators for numbers. Together they support clearer, more confident decisions about your home in retirement.
