AGF Logo
  • Home
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Personal Finance
  • Français
  • AGF.com
  • InstarAGF.com
Skip to content
AGF logo
Insights and Market Perspectives
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Personal Finance
  • Contributors
  • Français
  • Search
Search
Close
Is your home your retirement plan?

  • Personal Finance

For Print Only Logo
Insights and Market Perspectives

Is your home your retirement plan?

Author: Sound Choices

July 18, 2018


The content in the below article is meant for Canadian investors only.


In this series of articles, we discuss how investing in real estate over equities is not as black and white as many people would believe. Today, we’re examining the potential risks of using your home to fund your retirement.

Given how house prices have risen and how much of the monthly budget is taken up by a mortgage payment, it’s understandable how Canadians have come to this decision.

But what else do you need to take into account?

#1: Household debt

Funding your retirement with your home assumes that your house is paid off before. However, a recent survey found that 20% of Canadian retirees are still making mortgage payments.3 How would you handle these payments when you don’t have the same cash flow?

#2: Options for freeing up your money

Are you ok with selling your home to access the money invested in it? A number of retirees aren’t. Why? An emotional attachment or a desire to leave it to a loved one.

Freeing up enough to fund your retirement may mean downsizing or even moving to a more affordable community – which may be some distance away from where you currently live. If this is your plan, remember to include transaction costs, including realtor commissions, legal fees, land transfer taxes, and moving expenses.

Discuss the pros and cons of a reverse mortgage, which may also free up some home equity. Read the fine print carefully. Consider the higher costs compared with a traditional mortgage and the fact that you may not be able to pass the home onto your estate or allow someone else to assume the mortgage.

#3: Timing

Last year, oil prices affected house values in Alberta and, in March 2017, there were more than 2,000 houses and condos vacant in Calgary – the biggest inventory on record!4 Those ready to retire were playing a waiting game… or they may not have received the price they were expecting or planned for.

This situation may not be unique. The housing market is cooling down across most of the country. Existing home sales declined every month this year to reach their lowest level in five years, with Vancouver and Toronto recording the biggest drops (35% and 23% respectively). Higher interest rates, tougher mortgage rules, non-residents buyers’ tax and lower affordability are all factors.5

#4: Living expenses may go up not down

Health-related costs can add up fast. Your health-care coverage may not be enough to fund additional health-care and housing needs.

A chronic or acute illness that negatively affects your ability to live independently can strain your finances. Potential costs include assisted-living facilities, home health aides, and personal care workers. If you stay in your home, you may have to finance modifications such as equipping bathrooms with grab bars, or even accommodating wheelchair access.

Housing may, in fact, become the largest expense you have in retirement.


Talking to a financial advisor can help you decide if your home is the right solution for funding your retirement.


1Source: BMO Financial Group, January 2014, Pollara survey of Canadians 18 years of age and over, November 2013.
2Source: Investing As We Age, Investor’s Office, Ontario Securities Commission, 2017.
3Sun Life Financial Barometer, February 2018.
4Source: http://business.financialpost.com/real-estate/property-post/calgary-awash-in-record-number-of-vacant-condos-and-houses-built-at-end-of-boom.
5Source: Canadian Housing Update: Climate Change, BMO Capital Markets, June 29, 2018.
The contents of this Web site are provided for informational and educational purposes, and are not intended to provide specific individual advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, legal, accounting or tax. Please consult with your own professional advisor on your particular circumstances.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. AGF brings a disciplined approach to delivering excellence in investment management through its fundamental, quantitative, alternative and high-net-worth businesses focused on providing an exceptional client experience. AGF’s suite of investment solutions extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and individual investors to institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds and endowments and foundations.

For further information, please visit AGF.com.

© 2021 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

Written by

Sound Choices

Sound Choices

More from Sound Choices

  • Personal Finance

2021 Financial Checklist

January 9, 2021

  • Personal Finance

The 411 on Distributions

December 10, 2020

  • Personal Finance

5 financial matters to check before year-end

December 7, 2020

  • Personal Finance

Unused RESP Savings – Use It Or Lose It?

October 19, 2020

Get perspectives straight to your inbox.

Subscribe now

More articles like this.

2021 Financial Checklist

  • Personal Finance

2021 Financial Checklist

Sound Choices | January 9, 2021

To better position yourself for financial success in 2021 and beyond, here are some top tips to consider.

Read More
The 411 on Distributions

  • Personal Finance

The 411 on Distributions

Sound Choices | December 10, 2020

Distributions are payments from a mutual fund to the investor and can derive from multiple sources, such as income and capital gains realized from securities held within the underlying funds, as well as return of capital.

Read More
5 financial matters to check before year-end

  • Personal Finance

5 financial matters to check before year-end

Sound Choices | December 7, 2020

Here are the top 5 items that could help make sure your financial matters are set up for 2021.

Read More
AGF Logo
Categories
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Personal Finance
  • Subscribe
Follow AGF

AGF Web Site Pages © 2021 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

Links
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Privacy For EU Residents
  • AGF.com
  • InstarAGF.com