Real estate retirement: This is how seniors secure their retirement provision!

Real estate retirement: This is how seniors secure their retirement provision!

Owning property can offer many benefits as you age, particularly the freedom of not having to pay rent. However, many homeowners facing retirement face financial constraints. Because a large part of their savings goes into interest and repayment, around 140,000 households in Germany over the age of 60 have difficulty covering their running costs. Therefore, they are increasingly considering “retiring” their property in order to gain more liquidity, reports tagesschau.de.

Consumer law expert Philipp Hammerich notes that the main wish of many seniors is to grow old in their own four walls without having to inherit them. High property values ​​can also trigger tax considerations for retirement. A Forsa survey from 2020 showed that 50% of prospective retirees have cash assets of a maximum of 10,000 euros. This underscores the urgency with which many seniors are seeking additional sources of income.

Different models of real estate annuitization

There are several models that seniors can consider to improve their financial situation. The most common include usufruct, life annuity and partial sale.

• Nießbrauch: Bei diesem Modell verkaufen Senioren ihre Immobilie, behalten sich jedoch das Nutzungsrecht vor, das auch bei Vermietung möglich ist.
• Leibrente: Hier erhalten die Verkäufer monatliche Zahlungen und behalten ihr lebenslanges Wohnrecht nach dem Verkauf der Immobilie.
• Teilverkauf: Bei dieser Variante wird ein Teil der Immobilie verkauft, wobei die Verkäufer weiterhin an der Wertsteigerung beteiligt sind. Sie zahlen jedoch ein Nutzungsentgelt von etwa 5% jährlich.

Experts recommend only considering a partial sale if the property is worth more than 100,000 euros. However, sometimes the sales proceeds can be lower than expected - one example shows that a property worth €500,000 may only fetch €150,000. Additional costs such as property transfer tax and notary fees must also be taken into account.

Alternatives to retirement

In addition to the models mentioned, there are alternatives to annuitization, such as the reverse mortgage. Monthly installments are paid from the bank, which can also help seniors stabilize their financial situation. Loud alterssorge-neu-gedacht.de These options allow you to capitalize on the value of your home without having to move out. Experts emphasize that for many older people, their home is often the largest asset. With a well-thought-out strategy, this capital can be used to financially secure your retirement without losing your right to live.

Still, it's important to note that each of these options carries potential risks. Seniors are advised to compare several offers and seek professional advice before making a decision. Self-sales can be an opportunity to keep all of the proceeds, but careful planning is required to avoid possible disadvantages.