Should I sell investment property before retirement?
At Ironfish, we recommend a buy and hold strategy when it comes to property investments. This means that you hold onto your properties for the long-term, rather than selling them in the short term for quick profits. There are a few reasons why this is our preferred approach:
Capital Gains Tax: If you sell an investment property before owning it for at least 12 months, you will have to pay 100% of the capital gains tax on any profits made. However, if you hold onto the property for more than 12 months, you may be eligible for a 50% discount on the capital gains tax.
Rental Income: As mentioned earlier, one of the main benefits of investment properties is the rental income they generate. By selling your property before retirement, you are giving up a steady source of income that could have helped fund your retirement.
Potential for Appreciation: Property value tends to increase over time, especially in desirable locations. By holding onto your investment property for the long-term, you have a higher chance of benefiting from appreciation and increasing the overall value of your portfolio.
However, there may be certain circumstances where selling an investment property before retirement makes sense. Some reasons include:
Cash Flow Needs: If you are in need of immediate cash flow for personal reasons, selling an investment property before retirement could provide the necessary funds. However, this should only be done as a last resort and after careful consideration of potential tax implications.
Retirement Plans: Depending on your retirement goals and plans, it may make more sense to sell your investment property before retirement. For example, if you plan on downsizing or moving to a different location for retirement, selling your current property could help fund those plans.