If you’ve been reading this site for the last few weeks you’ll probably know this already, but after thinking for a long time that we would rent our house out when we move abroad, we have now decided to sell it.
There are a few reasons why we are doing this, the main one being freedom; we want the ability to choose where we live, just for the short term, and we want to experience mortgage {debt} free living for a while; I should say I’m not against mortgage debt, and I’m sure in the future we will have a {small} mortgage again.
Other reasons; we don’t want the hassle of renting a house out in a different country; we’ve read too many problem filled stories. Also at the moment neither of us utterly convinced that home ownership is the be all and end all, something recently confirmed by a matter affecting my mum and step dad; I don’t want to get into the environmental for’s and against of this subject but from a purely house ownership angle it’s not good. After living in their house for over 30 years they are now faced with high speed trains going past their back gate and through land they use for {income producing} haymaking, if they wanted to, or needed to sell, it would be impossible at the moment, the planning etc is going to take months/years and residents are trapped.
So, please let me know your thoughts, good or bad 
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{photo credit: padawan}
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with your thinking…
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I agree too! That’s true liberation! We are house/mortgage-free and are going to take off abroad as soon as we can (another six months yet): when we do, we don’t want to be landlords – writing endless cheques to agents who would be in charge of all repairs to our house – a house we wouldn’t be coming back to! Also, a house that wouldn’t feel like home after countless other people had been living in it and had worn it down. Then there’s the money needed to get it back up to scratch to sell it – oh, endless niggles.
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It can’t be very nice feeling ‘trapped’ where you live. Whether you want to sell or not, it’s good to be able to feel that you could if you wanted to.
We all know that other countries don’t get so hung up over owning their own homes, but it’s a mindset that is difficult to change here in the UK. It’s not much consolation, I know, but is it possible that your parents could get some compensation.
Teresa x
.-= Teresa´s last blog ..Giveaway Result!! =-.
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We sold our house last summer before moving to the UK — and I’m so glad we did! I couldn’t imagine having to deal with (or worry about) tenants from overseas. Ditching that burden (and most of your possessions, if you can) will give you much more freedom!
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Go for it! Sometimes the best things come from just closing your eyes and taking the jump! Good luck — and welcome to freedom!
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It seems like you are determined to make this work and selling your house is just one more step towards your ultimate goal. It’s the best decision for your particular situation. And besides, there will always be opportunities to get back into the housing game if and when you choose to do so. Best of luck to you!
.-= OlivAmor´s last blog ..Relocating During a Recession: Part 2 =-.
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Great article.
I think you are doing the right thing, all things being considered. You’ll have the freedom to try a few locations out in Portugal – and if you find a location/property that you fall in love with, you’ll be ready to buy without having to wait indefinitely to sell your house in the UK. And you might decide not to buy in Portugal anyway.
From a purely financial point of view, there are arguments to be made for renting out your place in the UK until you are ready to buy in Portugal, but I think when you consider the freedom of not having to continually worry about a house back in the UK, those arguments just don’t have enough weight.
Personally I would always go with the greater freedom and peace of mind, than with the money.
.-= Tony´s last blog ..The Amazon Diet =-.
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@apow – thank you!
@anna – exactly the thoughts I was having
@teresa – it’s an awful situation for them, which they don’t seem to have much control over. I fully understand why we need the trains, but if it was my house being devalued {by lots} I wouldn’t be happy x
@miss minimalist – yes, dealing with tenants when overseas could probably be a nightmare! Thanks for dropping by
@Kristina – I can’t imagine what being that free would be like, but I can’t wait!
@Olivamour thank you. Yes I’m sure we will own a home again some day, I just don’t know when
@Tony -Thank you. I agree; peace of mind and freedom are our main prorities at the moment!
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Since my divorce I do not own any house or flat. I pay a high rent just now but I Know that when I am retired I can move and rent a nice flat without bothering with selling a house. Moreover, in France we had to face heavy storms last winter and I would have been scared if I had been a owner !
I daresay I am a ” nice” tenant, so i thinlk the owner is pleased having me in his house . As for me it is essential not to be stuck to a spot by a house.
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I agree – the freedom factor has to win out on this one!
.-= Shoestring´s last blog ..The last day =-.
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Hi Nicole; yes the advantage of being a tenant is not having to worry about major repairs. It’s good that you are a nice tenant, I know we will betrying to be
Thanks Shoestring
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I’m selling my house in Portugal, where should i put it for sale here in England? Thank you
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Hi, We’re trying to sell up in Portugal also, and are not sure where to advertise?
As we live in UK most of the time, we struggle to get friends to open the place up to show people.
Our house is 10 mins in land from Tocha beach – 10 mins from Cantenhede, so if anybody knows of any good ways to sell in this area – please let me know,
Thanks
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