After selling your home, you find yourself with a substantial amount of cash. However, simply allowing it to sit idle is not a wise decision if you want to beat inflation and secure your financial future. Reinvesting the proceeds from a home sale is crucial. This article will provide you with some investment ideas to consider after selling your property.
Be Patient Before Reinvesting Proceeds After A Home Sale
A significant windfall can be both exciting and overwhelming. To ensure you make the best choices, it is advisable to take some time before making any major financial moves. I recommend sitting on your cash for at least a month to carefully evaluate your options. While holding on to cash may seem counterintuitive, it can be a smart move, especially during a bull market. It allows you to avoid making impulsive decisions driven by greed.
Questions To Ask Before Reinvesting Proceeds From Your Home Sale
Before deciding how to reinvest the proceeds from your home sale, it is essential to ask yourself some important questions:
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How much will the sold house be worth in the future? Establishing a baseline value to shoot for will help you make informed investment decisions. Take into consideration the historical rate of return or use a risk-free rate plus a reasonable premium. Inflation should also be factored in, as it can significantly impact the value of your assets.
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What does your net worth allocation look like post-sale? Understanding your current assets' allocation will help you determine where to allocate your capital effectively. Over time, your net worth may become skewed towards a particular asset, necessitating rebalancing.
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How do you feel about the current economic environment? It is crucial to assess your overall outlook—whether bullish, neutral, or bearish. Study previous economic cycles and analyze current data to make an informed estimation of where we stand in the market cycle.
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What are your upcoming financial needs? Having a clear understanding of your financial goals and obligations is vital for effective reinvestment. Whether it's purchasing another property, funding education, healthcare costs, or retirement, having specific purposes for your investments will help guide your decisions.
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What is your estimated tax liability? Selling a property involves various costs, including commissions, taxes, and expenses related to improving the property. Calculate your taxable profits and set aside the necessary funds to cover your tax obligations.
By answering these questions during your cooling-off period, you will gain a clearer sense of how to reinvest your proceeds.
How I Reinvested Proceeds From My House Sale
In 2017, I sold a property and found myself with approximately $1.8 million in cash after paying off the mortgage. Here's how I initially thought about reinvesting the money:
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Buying another property in San Francisco: I considered using the cash to purchase a different property in San Francisco. However, given my existing exposure to the city's real estate market through my primary residence, a rental condo, and a vacation property in Lake Tahoe, I decided against it unless I found a unique opportunity for significant appreciation.
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Diversifying with real estate crowdfunding: To reduce risk, I considered investing the entire $1.8 million in a portfolio of different real estate assets through real estate crowdfunding projects and REITs. This would allow me to diversify my real estate exposure and potentially achieve higher returns.
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Searching for a dream home in Honolulu: I explored the possibility of purchasing a dream home in Honolulu with a large flat lot near the beach. However, the high prices and my commitment to staying in San Francisco until my child starts kindergarten in 2022 made this option less feasible.
Ultimately, I reinvested the proceeds by allocating $500,000 to municipal bonds, $250,000 to real estate crowdfunding, and $150,000 to stocks.
Slowly Invest Your House Sale Proceeds
Instead of making rapid decisions, I prefer to reinvest proceeds in the same asset class while gradually diversifying into other asset classes. This approach allows me to build a well-rounded portfolio and reduces the risk of making hasty investment choices.
College Savings
Reinvesting a portion of the proceeds into your child's college savings is a wise move. I allocated $35,000 to my son's 529 plan, which provides tax advantages and helps secure his future education expenses. It's essential to consider the investment allocation within the plan, balancing risk and potential returns.
Paying Down Debt
Clearing existing debt is another prudent use of the proceeds. I chose to pay down a $50,000 mortgage on my Lake Tahoe vacation property. By consistently reducing mortgage debt using the FS-DAIR framework, I aim to eliminate this debt entirely before leaving California.
Return Goals For Reinvested Home Sale Proceeds
It is important to set return goals for your reinvested proceeds. In my case, I estimated a 4% return on the property I sold over the next 20 years. This projected return, combined with my initial investment, would yield significant growth. Additionally, I expected a blended rate of return of 6% for my overall investments, excluding cash.
Rating The Reinvestment Risk
Assessing the risk associated with your reinvestments is crucial. I categorized my reinvestments into low, medium, and high-risk categories. Most of my reinvestments focused on almost risk-free investment-grade municipal bonds, which provided stability and consistent returns. A portion went into real estate crowdfunding in cheaper markets with higher yields, offering potential growth. Lastly, I allocated a smaller percentage to higher-risk equity investments and used a portion to pay down debt.
Why Still Hold So Much Cash?
Despite diversifying my investments, I still find it challenging to resist the allure of physical property. Years of searching for deals and analyzing listings have created a desire to seek undervalued properties. However, cash provides security and optionality. It offers peace of mind in case of unforeseen circumstances and positions you to seize opportunities as they arise.
Visualizing Reinvesting The Remaining Proceeds
With remaining cash in hand, it is essential to visualize your plan for reinvestment. While you may not adhere strictly to the plan, having a clear strategy in mind will help you make informed decisions. In my case, the remaining $815,000 was allocated to taxes, physical property in San Francisco, municipal bonds, stocks, and debt paydown.
Real Estate Alternatives Look Attractive
Diversifying into real estate alternatives is an excellent strategy. Real estate crowdfunding provides an opportunity to invest passively in properties beyond your local market. Platforms like Fundrise and CrowdStreet offer diversified private funds and specific real estate projects, respectively. These platforms allow you to access the real estate market and potentially benefit from its growth.
Invest In Private Growth Companies
Investing in private growth companies through an open venture capital fund can be a game-changer. Look for opportunities in sectors like Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Modern Data Infrastructure, Development Operations (DevOps), Financial Technology (FinTech), and Real Estate & Property Technology (PropTech). Diversifying into such investments can provide significant returns, but remember, venture capital investments carry risks.
It's Worth Being Patient With Cash
Reinvesting the proceeds from a home sale is a crucial step in securing your financial future. However, rushing into investments can lead to poor decisions. Take the time to consider your options, evaluate risks, and make informed choices. Cash provides flexibility, security, and the ability to seize opportunities when they arise. So, be patient and make wise investment decisions that align with your goals.
Real Estate Is My Favorite Investment
While stocks may be at record highs, real estate remains an attractive investment option. The work-from-home trend and low mortgage rates make real estate a promising asset class. If you're not ready to buy another property, real estate crowdfunding offers an opportunity to diversify your investments and participate in the real estate market. Consider platforms like Fundrise and CrowdStreet for accessible and diversified real estate investment options.
Invest In Your Financial Future
Reinvesting proceeds after a home sale is an essential step in achieving financial freedom. By carefully considering your options, diversifying your investments, and being patient with cash, you can make significant strides in securing your financial future. Take advantage of opportunities in real estate, private growth companies, and other asset classes to maximize your returns. Remember, investing is a long-term journey, so make strategic decisions and enjoy the benefits of financial prosperity.
