[seeker1950]

Too chicken to take on a larger mortgage payment. Weighing all the pros and cons, I realized, at my age of 61, nearing retirement (though I have no idea when I'll be ready), a larger payment, not to mention the stress of moving, would be counterproductive. Age really does make us more timid, and I hate that, but there it is!

[Bella01]

I feel the same way you do. At 51 years young I don't need to take on a mortage either. I feel we are getting settle for retirement years and I want to save for that time.

I'll be in my house until 65-67 then I'll move to down size. Less maintance.

I think you made the right move. take care

[seeker1950]

Thank you, Bella. Gosh, you sound like a "youngster" to me!
Even upon retirement, I'll have this mortgage payment, but it would be much less than rent for the same kind of space. Maybe I can manage it, but if I can't, I'll have to research options. That will be a few years, hopefully, at which time, I'll have more equity here, and, if I have to sell, maybe buy something for cash?

[Sabrina]

You've done what you thought best and trusted your instincts. I wish you well.

[Perna]

I'm 61 too and looking around; I would love to move but don't think this house would sell; a house 2 doors down is larger (1 more bedroom) and going for less than this house is allegedly worth and has had no people coming to see it to buy it.

Too, our neighbor on one side has had a failure of his sea wall so his property is totally a mess and reflects badly on ours; the other neighbor appears to have moved out and is perhaps renting her house to her young son's friends, kids in their 20's, and not looking as responsible as I'd like. She and her husband separated over a year ago and things have been going downhill since and they are not looking after their property either.

I don't like where I am anymore, away from family and friends and not in an area where I feel I can make many friends and getting older. . . I hope I'm not still stuck here in 10 years.

[seeker1950]

Originally Posted by Perna

I'm 61 too and looking around; I would love to move but don't think this house would sell; a house 2 doors down is larger (1 more bedroom) and going for less than this house is allegedly worth and has had no people coming to see it to buy it.

Too, our neighbor on one side has had a failure of his sea wall so his property is totally a mess and reflects badly on ours; the other neighbor appears to have moved out and is perhaps renting her house to her young son's friends, kids in their 20's, and not looking as responsible as I'd like. She and her husband separated over a year ago and things have been going downhill since and they are not looking after their property either.

I don't like where I am anymore, away from family and friends and not in an area where I feel I can make many friends and getting older. . . I hope I'm not still stuck here in 10 years.

Perna! you situation sounds much like mine. I have next door neighbors who don't take care of their property, which looks like a slum, with trash in the yard, gutters falling off, hanging loose, etc. Thing is, they are very nice people, educated, but just don't have a priority of caring for their property. It would definitely be a detriment if I tried to sell. And, like your situation, there are several homes nearby, same size as mine, priced much less than I would need to recover in my sale. Granted, these houses don't have the improvements I've made, but when realtors do the "market analysis" and point out how low adjacent houses are selling for, that seems to be the rule of pricing. Oh, well, I've done all the work here, and may as well stay put for a while.
Thanks, Perna.
Patty