Why Sell Your Home and Start Fresh Abroad

Residencies & citizenships
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For over ten years, our house was more than just a structure - it was a container for memories. First steps, family dinners, birthdays, milestones. But recently, my wife and I made a decision that surprised even us: we sold it.

Not because we had to. Not because we were chasing a fantasy. But because we saw a smarter way forward.

The Real Cost of Staying Put

Owning property used to be the gold standard of security. But over time, I began to see it differently. Rising property taxes, maintenance overhead, and the opportunity cost of being tied to one location - it all started to feel less like an asset and more like an anchor.

I’ve spent my career in real estate. I understand the value of property. But I also understand the value of liquidity, flexibility, and global positioning. And right now, those are the assets I want to optimize.

Reinvesting in Freedom

We didn’t just sell our home, we reinvested the equity. Part of it went into international real estate. Part into second residency programs. And part into giving our family the freedom to choose where and how we live.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about optionality. In a world where political and economic landscapes shift quickly, having a Plan B — or even a Plan C — isn’t just smart. It’s essential.

A Smarter Kind of Security

We’ve been exploring second residencies in countries that offer strong infrastructure, favorable tax regimes, and long-term stability. Not because we’re fleeing anything but because we’re building something better.

For our kids, it means more choices. For us, it means peace of mind. And for our portfolio, it means diversification that goes beyond stocks and bonds.

Still in Motion

We haven’t settled permanently anywhere - and that’s the point. We’re living lighter, investing smarter, and staying open to what’s next.

If you’ve made a similar move — sold your home, relocated, or pursued a second residency — I’d love to hear your story. What worked? What didn’t? What would you do differently?

We’re not chasing a dream. We’re engineering a future. And sometimes, that starts by letting go of what used to feel like home.

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Why sell if you can rent it out?

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AI spam begone

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We sold everything. Zero regrets.

We applied for our Portugal Golden Visa in 2022… and like so many others, we’re still waiting for biometrics. But we didn’t let that stall our dream.

On June 18 2025, we walked out of the 3,600 sq ft house we’d lived in for 23 years. Sold it. Sold two cars. Sold every stick of furniture. What we couldn’t sell we gave away. What we couldn’t give away we threw away (yeah, that means baby pictures too) No storage unit. No “just in case.”

Now it’s one suitcase for me, two for my wife, and one for our 100-lb Bernese Mountain Dog. That’s it. Everything we own fits in a car (which we will take to Carmax in September).

We crossed into Canada on July 1, starting a 90-day journey coast to coast before flying to Europe in September to live nomadically. And 32 days in? Not a single regret.

Because here’s the thing: that “asset” we called a house? It was quietly draining us. When you strip away the fantasy of equity and look at the real daily cost, it’s eye-opening:

  • Pool service: $6.58/day
  • Yard maintenance:$6.58/day
  • Roof replacement: $2.74/day
  • Two HVAC systems: $5.48/day
  • Electricity:$16.44/day
  • Water: $4.93/day
  • Gas: $3.29/day
  • Weekly house cleaning: $22.86/day

That’s $68+ a day before we even talk about mortgage, taxes, insurance, repairs, or the thousand little costs that come with owning a home. Nearly $25,000 a year just to keep the lights on, grass cut, and dust off the furniture.

Selling that house didn’t just free up money—it bought us time, freedom, and a different kind of life. One where every dollar we spend now creates memories, not maintenance.

So yeah… we stopped paying for square footage and started buying experiences instead. And 32 days into this Canadian road trip—with a dog in the backseat and the world ahead of us—I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

(We aren’t very good at social media, but we are getting better, if you are interested in following us on instagram- @TitoTimeAdventures - Tito is the 100lbs Mountain Dog.)

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For me… The equity in my 22 year old home was costing m about 10k per month to maintain…Selling it not only elminated that expense, but locked in the equity now I can live in 4 and 5 star hotels in Canada and Europe off of the interest that the equity.

And most importantly, my “equity” was just a dream… Now it pays for my permanent vacation.

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Just a quick moderator note. This post was flagged as spam, which is fair enough since it does technically break our rule on self-promotion. However I’m letting it stand for two reasons:

  • There really doesn’t seem to be much of a commercial intent, no services relevant to forum members etc. So in that sense it doesn’t break the spirit of the rule.
  • But most importantly, Tito seems to be a very good boy! :dog_face: (Please do let him know, @thackskidmore!)

Ok, let’s get back on topic!

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If it stopped to appreciate in value, that was a smart move

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Lots of questions (or maybe mostly my feedback) :slight_smile:

For those of us with kids - and I’m talking teenagers raised in the past decades in our house, not just teeny tiny kids who wouldn’t know any better when parents become nomads. These teens/tweens have built roots with their community (friends, coaches, teachers etc) where they would be hard-pressed to just pick up and move without hating us permanently - it’s not like mom or dad got offered a big promotion to relocate, they are doing this willingly. This is currently the showstopper for us where we could sell the big house (with pool) and live on interest in our retirement property in the (low cost of living country in the) EU. The kids also have chosen to attend college in the US. Without parents living state-side, where are they going during summer/winter break, fly them to the EU every time into the crammed quarter that is our retirement home, where they know no one?

Also the biggest reason to preserve our home: estate planning. At least with my kids, none are aspiring to be doctors/lawyers/IT professional, and they will probably not make the money their parents make. Assuming they do want to stay in the area, how are they going to afford buying their own home one day? Most younger people cannot afford down payments of their first homes (in California, as an example) and of course just suggesting they don’t live in these states doesn’t always work. Yes the proceed from the sale would help but by the time they are ready to settle down, prices would outrun this proceed, even when invested carefully - at least in my area.

Good on you, if you can just take your spouse (and your Tito) and move. I envy you all. :slight_smile: But things get complicated when there are kids involved. Best of luck with your journey!