Home ownership for some is the ultimate statement that they have made it in life. And for many, it also represents a significant portion of their net worth. It’s an asset that can become an appreciating investment--or a financial albatross around their neck. This is not a discussion about whether to buy or rent, where you should live, or what a home is really worth. Instead I want to help you look at something often overlooked: what to do with your home when a family is growing or when two families combine into one household through marriage.
Here’s our example: A young couple has just recently married. He owns a large house, she a smaller one. They have five kids between them. Their initial thought is to sell both homes and buy a brand-new, bigger house customized to their liking. They also consider buying an older home, and just fix up the parts inside that are most important to them to make it fit their new lifestyle. Or is there another option? What should they do? What makes the most financial sense in this scenario?
As financial professionals, our real value to clients goes beyond investment recommendations; it is uncovering the questions that are often overlooked. We asked this couple if they might consider keeping the bigger house and selling the smaller one.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
They could put the proceeds from the sale of the smaller home toward upgrading the kitchen in the home they kept. Result: they can create the dream kitchen they saw in that new custom home. And with the bigger home they keep, there aren’t many unknowns with regards to upgrading or repairing the infrastructure (no bathtub falling through the floor).
The biggest unknown to this couple is what does a household of seven (parents and the five kids) really cost to run? A new budget needs to be planned, and proper allocation towards their education and retirement goals need to be assessed. Your own solution may have been different, but ultimately our goal as financial planners should be to give a family peace of mind and give them a life to enjoy on their new journey without felling trapped in their home.
Kevin Kaplan is a partner at Silicon Hills Wealth Management in Austin, Texas. He is passionate about photography, travel, pizza and live music.
-
Stock Market Today: Solid Signals Lift Stocks Despite Tariff NoiseMarkets are whistling over the White House in an ongoing display of corporate America's enduring ability to survive and advance.
-
Amtrak Joins Prime Day With Deals on Fares — But You’ll Have to Act FastPrime members can score 20% off midweek fares — what travelers should know before booking.
-
Opportunity Zones: An Expert Guide to the Changes in the One Big Beautiful BillThe law makes opportunity zones permanent, creates enhanced tax benefits for rural investments and opens up new strategies for investors to combine community development with significant tax advantages.
-
Can You Be a Good Parent to an Only Child When You're Also a Business Owner?Author and social psychologist Susan Newman offers advice to business-owner parents on how to raise a well-adjusted single child by avoiding overcompensation and encouraging chores.
-
A Financial Expert's Three Steps to Becoming Debt-Free (Even in This Economy)If debt has you spiraling, now is the time to take a few common-sense steps to help knock it down and get it under control.
-
I'm an Insurance Expert: This Is How Your Insurance Protects You While You're on VacationHere are three key things to consider about your insurance (auto, property and health) when traveling within the U.S., including coverage for rental cars, personal belongings and medical emergencies.
-
Why Homeowners Should Beware of Tangled TitlesIf you're planning to pass down property to your heirs, a 'tangled title' can complicate things. The good news is it can be avoided. Here's how.
-
A Cautionary Tale: Why Older Adults Should Think Twice About Being LandlordsBecoming a landlord late in life can be a risky venture because of potential health issues, cognitive challenges and susceptibility to financial exploitation.
-
Home Equity Evolution: A Fresh Approach to Funding Life's Biggest NeedsHomeowners leverage their home equity through various strategies, such as HELOCs or reverse mortgages. A newer option: Shared equity models. How do those work, and what are the pros and cons?
-
Your Home + Your IRA = Your Long-Term Care SolutionIf you're worried that long-term care costs will drain your retirement savings, consider a personalized retirement plan that could solve your problem.
