Downsizing Can Lower Housing Expenses
Lenders aren’t allowed to issue mortgages that take up more than 35 percent of your monthly income, and most won’t go above 28 percent. However, even if you’re only paying 20 percent of your income for your mortgage, that’s still 20 percent that will be freed up once you pay off your mortgage.
If you won’t be completely mortgage-free by retirement, moving to a smaller home can reduce your mortgage payment, as well as costs for maintenance, landscaping, utilities and real estate taxes. Plus, you won’t have nearly as many household chores to do, giving you more time to do the things you love.