Trade Your Space For Better Living

DOWNSIZERS: TRADE YOUR SPACE FOR BETTER LIVING

 

In a previous article (Downsizers: How And Why You Should Think About Downsizing), we talked about the subjective benefits of downsizing.

The advantages are many, and include the freedom and serenity afforded by an uncluttered life, the opportunity to create deeper meaning through simplification, and the time gained by stripping away the nonessentials to focus on the things that matter.

Plus, the many health benefits a less encumbered and more connected way of life offers us, and the chance to finally pay attention and fulfill the personal dreams we’ve had to postpone while raising a family, provide an immeasurable degree of quality of life that could not be fully enjoyed before.

But downsizing has many financial benefits, too—perhaps none richer and more rewarding than to finally cash out on the enormous appreciation in value experienced by the Bay Area housing market for just the past ten years. With annual percentage gains in the double digits, it has been a fabulous decade for homeowners. 

When Is The Right Time To Downsize?

Is now the right time to make a move?” clients are asking us with greater frequency.

Savvy and successful investors question this every day and share a common secret: they know when to cash out. 

“We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful.”

 – Warren Buffet, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and fourth wealthiest person in the world

While we are not suggesting a dip in home prices is in the near horizon, if you are approaching retirement or are already an empty-nester, we believe the moment is ripe to consider a smart move. Appreciation in many of communities of the Bay Area is at record highs. Julie and her team can run a comparable market analysis on properties around your home and let you know what kind of return you can expect if you listed your home on the market.

How Can Downsizing Help You Financially?

Downsizing will not only allow you to reap significant gains in home equity, but will free up cash thanks to lower mortgage payments, property taxes, and maintenance and insurance costs. With your treasure chest thus filled, the possibilities are endless. 

Some homeowners have turned the tables on downsizing by utilizing the extraordinary profits made possible by rising Bay Area home prices. In turn, they can purchase larger and more luxurious homes in more inexpensive areas out of state, or afford a grander lifestyle—on a reduced scale—in their own community or in more affordable neighborhoods nearby.

Does Downsizing Mean You Should Give Up Homeownership?

Just because you’re downsizing doesn’t mean you have to surrender homeownership forever. Many downsizing sellers have reinvested their proceeds into other homes. Some have downsized to purchase a second home overseas, or back home, as in the case of immigrants who long to renew their connection with their places of birth and with the family members and friends who stayed behind. Helping children with a down payment for their own home has been another factor motivating families to downsize. 

In previous cycles, savvy investors have also cashed out near the peak, then downsized (or moved temporarily into a rental) to wait for a price correction. They entered the housing market a second time once certain a new upswing was underway.

Can We Help?

Whatever your circumstances, investment strategies, or long-term goals, let our experienced team help you capture the many upsides of downsizing and to guide your next move toward a richer and brighter future. 

For more information on how we can help with your downsizing needs, please contact Julie at 650.799.8888 or Julie@JulieTsaiLaw.com to schedule a free consultation.

 

Helping Aging Parents Downsize While Building Wealth

HELPING AGING PARENTS DOWNSIZE WHILE BUILDING WEALTH

 

America is getting older. 

By 2040, about one in five Americans—or eighty million people—will be 65 or older, up from about one in eight in 2000. The number of adults age 85 and older (the group most often needing help with basic personal care) will have quadrupled by 2040. And while overall longevity rates are declining, affluent and well-educated individuals are still expected to live past their eighties.

An aging population is expected to strain government budgets because younger people are much more likely than older people to work and pay taxes that fund Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other public-sector services. The latest Social Security Administration projections indicate that, by 2040, there will be 2.1 workers per Social Security beneficiary, down from 3.7 in 1970.

Meanwhile, the cost of long-term care keeps going up and most Americans keep believing—incorrectly—that the government will cover most, or all of it.

“Our population is aging, living longer, and not prepared.”

 – David O’Leary, president and CEO of Genworth’s US Life division

Preparing A Place For Your Aging Parents

Caring for our aging loved ones in their later years is becoming a costly challenge.

Nationwide, a private room in a nursing home now costs more than $8,000 per month, or $97,455 per year, according to a report by Genworth Financial. That’s an increase of nearly 50% since 2004. A semi-private room is less expensive, but still carries a hefty price tag: $85,775 per year. As it is, 87% of adults over the age of 65 want to age in place, according to an AARP survey, and nearly three-quarters of those will eventually need some kind of long-term care, reports Genworth.

Given the staggering rise in nursing home costs and the uncertain long-term financial viability of Medicare and Medicaid, a growing number of families are seeking to add a “senior-friendly flat” to their aging relatives’ properties. This can be rented out until the time comes when Mom and Dad are ready to move-in. In the meantime, the rental income is held in escrow to help cover future in-home healthcare costs. Once the seniors move into the smaller flat, the main residence is rented out to outsiders, or used by the younger generation who wish to stay close to their parents and save money on in-home healthcare services (which can run as high as $47,000 per year, for homemaker services, and $49,000 annually for an in-home health aide).

How An ADU Can Help

Adding a “granny flat” or auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) to an existing property is not only a creative solution to allow seniors to age in place and save money. It also boosts the property’s resale value. According to Remodeling Magazine, real estate professionals in high-tech areas of the West Coast (Silicon Valley, San Francisco, North Bay, etc.) report that most of the homes sold in recent years that included a recently constructed ADU more than recouped the ADU project cost in the resale—well beyond, in most cases.

To help alleviate the housing crisis, the California legislature recently passed a series of bills ( “Homesellers, New ADU Housing Bills Could Add Significant Value To Your Home) aimed at facilitating the addition, or new construction, of auxiliary dwelling units. This easing of restrictions, coupled with the potential for rental income and higher property values gained by the addition of an ADU, are allowing families to build wealth. But more importantly, it gives loved ones the chance to age in place and save money on senior care in the process.

Rental income, higher property resale values, costs savings—what’s not to like?

Can We Help?

For more information on how we can help with your downsizing and life adjustments needs, please contact Julie at 650.799.8888 or Julie@JulieTsaiLaw.com to schedule a free consultation.

    

Downsizers: Use Your Existing Home To Finance Your Next Move

DOWNSIZERS: USE YOUR EXISTING HOME TO FINANCE YOUR NEXT MOVE

 

With some of the highest rental rates in the country, many Bay Area homeowners who are near retirement or are recent empty-nesters are using their existing homes as a creative source of income. This option allows them to downsize and relocate in-state, out-of-state, abroad—or even stay right on their properties.

Opportunity In Disparity

It’s no secret that high local housing costs have been part of a recent exodus from California to places with much lower housing costs. For example, close to 700,000 people left California in 2018. Texas was their first choice, followed by Arizona, Washington, Nevada, and Oregon. No doubt many were lured by the relative affordability of single-family homes in those areas: Texas at $209,000, Arizona at $272,000, Washington at $419,000, Nevada at $303,000, and Oregon at $366,000 (according to data provided by Zillow through January 2020).

With an average cost of $313,000 across these five states, the monthly mortgage payment for a new home would amount to roughly $1,400, if financed at 100% loan-to-value at current interest rates.

Conversely, with rental rates in San Jose, for example, at $3,200 per month for a two-bedroom unit, or San Francisco at $4,520 (according to Rent Jungle), Bay Area homeowners are uniquely positioned to convert their primary home into a rental property to finance a move to a smaller home.

Even if you’re thinking of downsizing but not planning to vacate entirely, you may even consider consolidating your belongings and living arrangements and renting out a bedroom or portion of your home to create supplemental income.

Ease Of Property Management

In the past, homeowners were reluctant to rent out their properties because of the hassles involved in being a landlord. However, a growing number of professional property management companies is now making it possible to outsource the hassle at a very competitive price, usually averaging 8% of the monthly rent. If you’re considering renting out your property, Julie and our team can help you find the property management team that best suits the intentions for your property.

New Legislation

Recent rental legislation in California allows landlords to raise rents by 5% annually. This is in addition to the regional cost-of-living increase, or a maximum of 10%. Based on current inflation rates, Bay Area landlords could raise rents by an estimated 7.7% per year, which could translate to a healthy, regular profit that downsizers can put towards a smaller, less expensive home.

Accessory Dwelling Units

Another option being considered by a growing number of aging couples is building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on their existing property. When ready, they can move into this ADU while concurrently renting out their primary residence to outsiders or younger family members. Recent housing legislation now gives homeowners greater flexibility to consider this option. Click here (“Homesellers, New ADU Housing Bills Could Add Value To Your Home”) for more information.  

Can We Help?

Of course, the viability of pursuing a strategy like this will obviously depend on your current monthly mortgage payment, property insurance, and ongoing maintenance costs, as well as the carrying costs of the new house. As with any key financial decision, considering turning your primary home into an income property to finance your next move should be done under professional counsel from your financial, tax, and real estate advisors.

For more information on how we can help with your downsizing needs, please contact Julie at 650.799.8888 or Julie@JulieTsaiLaw.com to schedule a free consultation.

 

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