Selling up completely......

Wirroff · Senior Member

Selling up completely......

oldbobsbus · Guru

I would never sell up completely...I feel I need a home base to go back to occasionally..

I have friends that sold their house and bought a setup in a park type village with some of the money and spend a couple of months a year there where they do any repairs and mods and get their Doctors appointments organized etc.etc.. while they are away the caretaker send on their mail and keeps an eye on their place..

Wirroff · Senior Member

I agree Bob. We need a 'home base' to go back to. Besides, it's our future asset...........

oldbobsbus · Guru

I guess it is different for some who never owned their own home to start with and have only ever rented..

They invest all of their money in their rig and travel till they are over it and then go back to renting again..

Bunkerbob · Senior Member

We sold completely although we had the van and the tug. One of the reasons for selling was I was sick of bills. Coming from Victoria we ha dthe water bills and associated Desalination plant. Ever increasing power bills, ever increasing gas bills. Maintenance for our house. I drove Interstate and wasn't even home to watch it deteriorate. Council rates, Insurances. Etc, etc. I had to work just to keep up with the bills and the lifestyle.

Sold the lot. Enough in the bank so if I go, SWMBO has enough for a small unit. If SWMBO goes, I keep going as I intend to wear out, not rust out.

Very happy with our decision.

We have also found that houses in country towns are a lot cheaper than Melbourne albeit the councils sure know how to set high rates.

freehazzas · Senior Member

We sold everything up as we had two farming properties and wanted travel imdefinately. Renting them out was not an option we wanted.
We will travel as long as we can, prob another 20 years or so. We have been going 3 and 1/3 now full time on the road. We are both under 55 so have plenty of time. We felt to keep the farms was more troouble than it was worth.
Sell up, set yourself up and invest the rest. Live off the interest and your capital is still there for later. Its very cheap to live on the road. If we were pension age we would be laughing as you can do it on that ammount and less and stil keep your capital.
Everybody is different. We dont sit around wondering what ifs, may as well stay home and wait to die if your going to do that.
You get one life, go and live it.

We would prob never buy again anyway. You can get a lot of years renting a nice beachside appartment for what you would spend buying a little house somewhere. We dont have anybody to leave assets to ( well none that deserve itt) so we dont feel the need to leave a house behind when we die. Rent and keep your capital invested. That pays for the rent.
Another option is to put your rig into a retirement RV village full time. Easy enough to do that too and cheap rent. We have already seen some we think are suitable.

All depends on what your values are in life. There is no right or wrong.

billeeeeeee · Guru

Howdyeeeee I had a house for 63 years ,,got sick of it ,soooo sold it ,, been on the road full time for 3 years, Probably stay on the road for another 60 more years ,,,!!And!!, then buy a house ,, Because you never know,, !!What happens if I get sick ,, !!And!!, of course Ill need a base to come back to, !!And!! Blah Blah Blah,,, !!And what will I do when I cant travel any more,?????? !!Pop of the planet!!, stay excited friends,, !!remember!!, we are not guaranteed tomorrow, its all about !!Now!! PS ..enjoy what you have !!Now!! Humanity is obsessed with worrying about , THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE...... Billeeeeeee

navynurse · Senior Member

I sold everything &bought a new van. I kept a bit for myself & gave the kids some money, I'd rather see them enjoy it now than give it to them after I die. I still have a home base as the kids want me to stay with them probably because I cook & pay my own way. But it is great to be debt free & know I can go where I like.

Allan

shekon · Guru

I really wanted to sell my house, so I did not have the responsibility of a 4 bedroom large home on my own. This was not going to happen in the current market in a country town so I was blessed with people who actually approached me to rent my home. Yipppeeee, I was able to hit the road. I cannot tell you the elation I felt when I paid my last electricity and gas account and word on the street is that these people may actually want to buy my home in a few months. I cannot wait.

I am blessed to be able to put that money aside and invest it. If I wanted a home after travelling, whenever that would be, you know I would rent. My late husband and I always owned our own homes except for the last one in Brisbane, we rented. I would rent again in a heartbeat. I thought I wanted to own my own home again, but no, not on my own and really for me there is no point.

So if I get sick, well I don't think about it, just have the point of view it is not going to happen. Eat well, some exercise, not a lot of stress, should see me going for a few more years yet. Once again blessed that at 58 I do not take any medications or have a need for any so illness is not on my horizon. Blind faith, maybe, however I also know that could change in a heartbeat. I will cross that bridge if I ever come to it.

I really believe that being out here on the road with the biggest stress being making up my mind where to go next or will I leave today will treat my body and mind well.

Wirroff, each person has to do what is right for them, examine what is in their heart and what makes them feel comfortable and then take the appropriate actions.

For me I have no attachment to my house, I have stored my really good furniture for the time being, and will re=examine that at a later date. In the meantime having a good time and smiling most of the time. Would not change a thing at present, and we can only live for the present, the past we can do nothing about, the future we have no idea what is around the corner, so just the present is all that is available to us.

Go enjoy life.

GaryKelly · Guru

Selling my house is not a problem for me. I lost it 20 years ago when a business venture failed. Since then I've rented, so if I ever have to quit the road, I'll rent again. No biggie. In fact, what I pay now in rent for a large house in Taree is still cheaper than what I was paying 12 years ago in Sydney for a pokey 2 bed flat. I was talking to a young student from Sydney recently who is paying more for a bedsitter in Surry Hills than I'm paying for this 3-bed house with two garages and a large yard a short walk from town.

Renting doesn't scare me at all. There are tens of thousands of houses/units in country towns all over Oz like this one. So what's there to worry about? Meanwhile, as Billeeeeeee says, live for today.

Dalmur · Member

It is different for everyone, depending on their priorities.
We've kept our house. Initially it was house sat by friends for 3 years. However, now we have had it rented out for awhile. No probs with this. But it is a base if we ever decide to go back there. Until we decide what we want to do and where we'd like to settle down again, if we do, then it provides us with some security and a little bit of income as well.
Margaret

Sherio · Veteran Member

Mmmm, when we started out on the road (2008) we weren't sure how long it would be for so didn't even consider selling up, just rented the house. This many years down the track, we're still not sure how long we'll be on the road - one day we'll make that call maybe, or maybe not. But we're happy we didn't sell. We've had good tenants, no worries there; been back to check the property a couple of times and are very happy with how all is going. Could see a problem that if we sold, and the market jumped upwards we'd not be able to get in again with what we had.

Guess it's horses for courses as they say...

Happywanderer · The Master

I always thought it was important to own your own home and at the age of 21 and as a solo mum I bought my first home of many.
Now at the age of 65 I couldn't think of anything worse than owning my house giving me stress I don't need.
If things go pear shaped I can always rent and let someone else pay all the bills. I just want to enjoy out here in the playground for now while I can.

Cloak · Guru

When we fully retire and start out on the road we will definitely sell everything. We don't want the stress of owning anything other than our rig so we can fully relax.

When we're done we will then buy a little something in a town we discover on the way.

I guess it may take some discipline to keep the cash in the bank all that time.

I wonder if that will impact the pension???

grae and deb · Senior Member

hi good question ,we sold up ,left the house after trying to eventually own it, was never going to happen ,so decision was selll retire at 58 ,wifey sold her partnership and do it now while we can ,if we waited till we may have payed of the house ,modest and no mansion ,we would have been close to dead or not capeable of travelling ,this is our case ,not for some ,i agree , we used our balance from selling plus our super ,actually not worth a craker ,to buy our van and tow rig ,both used and modest ,care was taken to find something in our budget and patience was rewarded
a funny thing happened after several garage sales ,we used to say to each other ,where did all this stuff came from ,to sell ! ,sometimes we all are guilty of becoming hoarders of treasures nik naks etc ,living in our van makes one appreciate how simple life can be ,we still have little things around the van inside to make it feel more like home but nowhere near the stuff we had in a 3 bedroom house
your point re what happens later , i guess we settle somewhere or a block of land in the bush and park the old van with two old farts and grow old gracefully , but theres plenty of travel in us yet so we,ll meet that day down the track if and wen it happens

native pepper · Senior Member

I can see both sides, having always been a traveller with at times no home base and times with a place to return to and re-plan.

Spent about 10 years without a base at one stretch and a couple of other years when haven't had a base. They've been mostly rural and lots were just sheds on land, but have owned a couple of urban houses when working from the same area for a number of years.

Our present property, expect it will be the last one unless they discover the fountain of youth, has two houses on it. Rent one out cheaply, so there's was someone there all the time to watch the animals. Problem is, the one I rented now travels, so may have to look for some else to sit our place.

Suppose it has to do with what your life has been, if you've spent your life in a house and not travelling full time, sure would be a big relief to get rid of that burden and break free from the grind of bills etc. Loved the times when we had no where to go back to, or time limits. But also love the times when we've been travelling for a year or so and have a home to return to.

Our sort of lifestyle means we don't have bills on the road and not being grid connected, don't have other bills either. Because of the amount of time we spend on the road, we've developed living systems which give us some real freedom, but also provide us with methods to keep our property functioning, safe and very cost effective when away for long periods.

Anyone who is hitting the road and selling up, should look at every option, including putting some of your money into a small rural property and use it as you and families base if you want to. Then you are free to travel, have a base and it can be kept an eye on by the family left behind. Make sense to me, get the kids to do the work for you, pay back time.

Know a couple of Tasmanians who now have a small rural properties or house in a small rural town in Victoria and many who store their vans over there with other people. They do it to save money on the ferry and have a tenant. It's included in their leases that the owners will leave their rigs there and have access to the property when ever they like, with 24hr notice. Works really well for them and it could work for others who live in Aus, when they decide they may need another base. Heaps cheaper than living in a city, solar and wind are much more viable in the bush than urban area's. Plus you can grow your own food to come home to or take with you, many bonuses of living in the bush and being a traveller.

banjo · Senior Member

We did a test run of 7 1/2 months and rented out our house, big mistake, when we returned we had to redecorate the whole place, took me and my wife 6 weeks to get the garden back to as it was plus other issues. Never again !

That made our minds up for us, we sold the lot ! we intended to travel for at least 3-4 years so most of our gear would have been tired and aged by then anyway, or too big for our eventual smaller house.

We already had a 4wd and caravan so most of our capital is still there invested, and giving us an income which we never touch apart from big bills like insurance and truck expenses.
We did upgrade to a 5th wheeler and bigger truck for more room on the road.

We are healthier, happier, and fitter living on the road full time, we have the full backing of our kids and they think its great that mum and dad are living the dream.

When we do settle, if we ever do, it will be a small unit or kit home on a nice rural block away from the maddening crowds, or even a retirement village, god forbid !

As said life is for living not saving for the rainy day that may or may not arrive. One thing is for sure you cannot take it with you when you leave this earth so enjoy your and live every day as though it is your last !

It just might be one day !

the rocket · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I always thought it was important to own your own home and at the age of 21 and as a solo mum I bought my first home of many.
Now at the age of 65 I couldn't think of anything worse than owning my house giving me stress I don't need.
If things go pear shaped I can always rent and let someone else pay all the bills. I just want to enjoy out here in the playground for now while I can.

:ditto:

Mike C · Senior Member

This is something I have battled with..
SWMB wants a base just in case..
I want freedom and no responsibilities..
its a battle that will go on for a while but honestly I think removing all that stuff and hassle will make life so much better..
When its over rent or turn up in rags on one of the kids doorsteps..
cant see me winning but cant see me stopping trying either :)

cheers

Mike

oldbobsbus · Guru

Mike C wrote:
This is something I have battled with..
SWMB wants a base just in case..
I want freedom and no responsibilities..
its a battle that will go on for a while but honestly I think removing all that stuff and hassle will make life so much better..
When its over rent or turn up in rags on one of the kids doorsteps..
cant see me winning but cant see me stopping trying either :)

cheers

Mike

..lol.. Ya can't get shot for trying..lol

I am in SWMBO's camp but that doesn't matter it is a bunny rug thing...

Grams · Guru

We were going to sell up and live in the van. Selling our house would have paid off our debts and had money left over....but then I started to think of the "what ifs!"

Now we are still selling up, still paying off the debt of the caravan, but also buying a smaller cheaper property as our home base. Then when we finally finish travelling we will sell the van and put this money on the mortgage, making this very small. So it's a win win for us now.

Grams

Retreat · Senior Member

Well I had a plan. It was PLAN "A", there was no plan "B" I never expected life to throw in a curved ball: because it was not in my plan.

The wife being 4 years younger and with females having a life expectancy of 5 years longer than males, I made sure that we would have sufficient funds and resources to provide for her for at least 9 years after I was gone. To get to this position we forwent holidays, became workaholics and possibly not given as much of our time to our children as we should have. Our plan was always to be caravan folk for 6 to 9 months each year in retirement until we got old old.

But who has become seriously ill? Not me, but the wife. Thank goodness when we moved from Brisbane we located ourselves where there is excellent medical and hospital services on our door stop, travelling any distance to medical appointments under our current situation would just add so much more stress to an already stressed-out couple.

My suggestion for those that have an interest in this tread of things to consider are;

Who cares if you own a house, rent or live in a caravan park? Nobody.
Locate your base near quality medical and health services including ambulances. A different doctor in every town is not ideal.
Keep up your private medical & hospital subscription. If you think diesel and C'parks are expensive you certainty won't like the cost of health care.
Do not ever delay going to your doctor if something is not quite right. If your partner says I alright, cart him/her of the doctors, and be part of the consultation.
Be a better planner than me and elevate the importance of friends and family.

If we were on the road full time without a base, our situation would be unbearable.

Wirroff · Senior Member

Grams wrote:
We were going to sell up and live in the van. Selling our house would have paid off our debts and had money left over....but then I started to think of the "what ifs!"

Now we are still selling up, still paying off the debt of the caravan, but also buying a smaller cheaper property as our home base. Then when we finally finish travelling we will sell the van and put this money on the mortgage, making this very small. So it's a win win for us now.

Grams

That's EXACTLY what we have done! Sold the property, bought a cheap place, bought a van, put tenants in the cheap house and will return to THAT house as the mortgage is now paid off on that house.

villatranquilla · Guru

Bought a decent van and 4WD and had several yrs of holidaying in it while working. Had also lived in vans while we built when the kids were little and knew we loved caravan life. So in Feb 2011 bought a unit in our favoured 'retirement' town (Lakes Entrance) - had lived and worked there for 30 yrs and found a great tenant. As we had not lived in it we had no emotional attachment to it - made renting it out easier. Then after several health scares for hubby we decided to 'do it now'. So by Nov 2011 we had sold the house we had lived in in Perth for 9 yrs, paid off the unit and became 'grey nomads'. Invested the money (bloody interest rates have dropped though) but are having a great time. We work occasionally (too young for a pension) when we find a position that suits both of us.
Initially I said I'd give it a year then review but after 2 and a 1/2 years have just up-graded the van and car and going to keep doing it.
We have friends who spent 17 yrs travelling and working and he is now dying of cancer - his advice " keep travelling and enjoy life".

Gerty Dancer · Guru

We downsized, moved to a coastal town (checked out the medical facilities first!

), thinking this would be our "base" for travelling... but we like it here so much we haven't done much travelling lately! Neither of us were ever interested in the idea of selling up completely, have met too many like Retreat's wife where being on the road isn't an option when serious illness hits.
My best wishes to you and your wife Retreat.

Wirroff · Senior Member

Illness is a huge factor and one which affects us all as we get older. It's OK to say;"Live for today" but usually there's a 'tomorrow' also and one which we need to be aware of. Good on those people who have sold up everything and travel full-time, but we need some sort of security to go back to. Horses for courses I suppose.

GaryKelly · Guru

Hmmm. Well, in 2002 I had a heart attack, spent a week at the local hospital and was then transferred to RNS (Sydney) for a heart operation. Within two days I was on a train back to Taree (travelling alone). Then in Jan 2012 I was diagnosed with floor of mouth cancer and operated on at RPA (Sydney). 10-hours in surgery and time in IC. After 2 weeks I was on a train back to Taree (alone again). Later that year I drove myself to Port Macquarie and back for a series of radiation treatments over several months. And during all that time, from the heart attack to the cancer op and radiation, my "base" has been a rented house. By the way, Retreat, all the bills were taken care of by Medicare.

If some people feel better and more secure about maintaining a home base, I have no problem with that. All I'm saying is that I've survived some pretty scary issues without one. On the other hand, I'm insufferably stubborn and determined to live out the rest of my life pottering around Oz in PJ.

Bryan · Guru

I guess its different for each one us. Both Kathy & I wouldn't feel secure without a home base.

freehazzas · Senior Member

A home base is where ever you park your rig. If you own one you will never NOT have a roof over your head. Its just a mobile house.

Retreat · Senior Member

GaryKelly wrote:
Hmmm. Well, in 2002 I had a heart attack, spent a week at the local hospital and was then transferred to RNS (Sydney) for a heart operation. Within two days I was on a train back to Taree (travelling alone). Then in Jan 2012 I was diagnosed with floor of mouth cancer and operated on at RPA (Sydney). 10-hours in surgery and time in IC. After 2 weeks I was on a train back to Taree (alone again). Later that year I drove myself to Port Macquarie and back for a series of radiation treatments over several months. And during all that time, from the heart attack to the cancer op and radiation, my "base" has been a rented house. By the way, Retreat, all the bills were taken care of by Medicare.

If some people feel better and more secure about maintaining a home base, I have no problem with that. All I'm saying is that I've survived some pretty scary issues without one. On the other hand, I'm insufferably stubborn and determined to live out the rest of my life pottering around Oz in PJ.

Gary Kelly you are one tough nut. When the heart is repairable and that the cancer is treatable, there is always hope, but when the medics tell you we have no treatment we can only help you manage the pain, hope tends to dim fairly rapidly as reality sinks in.

Enjoy your travels.

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.