If you could do it over, what would you have done differently?

[Kro1957]

For you folks out there F/T, when you look back at the process getting started or once you were on the road was there any thing you missed in the process or could have done to make the transition go more smoothly?

One of the things yet on our list are the rental properties we own. Should we keep them or sell them? It does generate a little revenue... thoughts

[twogypsies]

Our transition went extremely smooth. Decided to do it in May and left in August after selling the house and everything in it.


If you have rental houses that's a completely different issue. Personally, we wouldn't keep them. Invest the money after sale.

[Barbaraok]

Originally Posted by Kro1957

For you folks out there F/T, when you look back at the process getting started or once you were on the road was there any thing you missed in the process or could have done to make the transition go more smoothly?

One of the things yet on our list are the rental properties we own. Should we keep them or sell them? It does generate a little revenue... thoughts

Do you hire a management company for those units? If so, is there anything left at the end of the year? If not, will the cost of that leave anything at the end of the year. You will never, ever, really enjoy the total freedom of fulltiming if there is something pulling you back.

If I had to do it over again, I would have held out for a 40 ft coach. Ours is fine and we have enjoyed it immensely, but would have loved just a little more space.

Best thing we did was sell the house to fast, so we had to get rental place for a year - downsized from 3500 sq ft to 1200 sq ft then down to the motorhome. Easier to do it that way.

One thing I would change is just boxing up all of 'documents' (tax returns) after 40 yrs of marriage and taken all of it to a commerical shredder and just paid the money - - won't have cost any more than the 3 personal size shredders we burned out shredding it all. We had boxes and boxes of records that had been moved by 3-4-5 different moving companies!

[TonyDi]

Trying to manage property while away can be a challenge. Who will take care of it and see to repairs etc. As previous suggestion, sell and invest the proceeds. Way less hassles.

[Finally]

The only thing we would have done differently is I wish we would have done this years earlier!!

[super_rep]

Originally Posted by Kro1957

For you folks out there F/T, when you look back at the process getting started or once you were on the road was there any thing you missed in the process or could have done to make the transition go more smoothly?

One of the things yet on our list are the rental properties we own. Should we keep them or sell them? It does generate a little revenue... thoughts

I wish we would have started 10 years sooner. We could have, but just didn't really seriously consider it until caring for the S&B home got to be a real chore.

[missourijan]

I would have saved more $$, really. We have 2 rental properties. We pay a property mgr to manage them. I wouldn't do it any other way. Well worth it, we have had people move out in the middle of the night, bounce checks, freeze up the ac, I could go on. Have someone else handle it and a list of repair people that are reliable.

[Kro1957]

We actually started downsizing about 3 years ago. When we moved from midwest to Texas into a 55+ community. Such drastic SQ mandated we downsize. Sold a lot of hunting and fishing gear. Ice shelters, tents, camping equipment. Both of our motorcycles. Kept the 2 scooters because we have a carrier on the DP. But other than a few tools, sofa, bedroom set master and Kitchen table and chairs that was it. Gave away or sold as much of it as we could. Heirloom, memorabilia stuff was given away to other family members, donated or sold.

Got rid of 1/2 of our clothes. The two rentals, one is a family member and will probably stay there for several more years. Not certain but if they ever moved probably would sell it rather than chance issues with a bad renter.

Our current home, yes we would sell that one but the one in the south, 55+ community we are thinking of keeping. Just in case something happens to me, the DW has a place of worry free living. She is not one to want to travel without me on the road. At least she says.. lol. We got our first real taste of full time living as we were in the motorhome for 6 months this past year. (job relocation) Only 2 campgrouds and that can get to be boring especially the last one where we were really packed in tight.

Somone on here told us to get a real taste of FT living you have to give it at least 6 months no matter what. We did and seemed to work great. Wife especially said, "I like this, we can do it!" Dave and Barb mentioned would have went with at 40' coach. And perhaps we will do that but I think before that happens we have to see how our planned budget falls into actually reality.

Lastly, if we did change coaches, I am really finding it hard to convince myself I need a Tag Axle. I know about all the weight/balance stuff but I am not taking a ton of stuff and our jeep Wrangler is like towing nothing.

A person (visitor) at the super show said to me right out!! Oh you have to get a tag axle... But I would like to hear convincing reasons why....

[dexters]

Originally Posted by Finally

The only thing we would have done differently is I wish we would have done this years earlier!!

This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by TonyDi

Trying to manage property while away can be a challenge. Who will take care of it and see to repairs etc. As previous suggestion, sell and invest the proceeds. Way less hassles.

Tossing that one around myself! DW died last August, still have the 17 yr old step grandson with me and I just turned 70. Won't be able to go full time till mid 2018 in order to get grandson through HS. Renting/leasing the house out would be a big $$ gain as would selling it.

[Stiltner]

I'm not a full timer, but I asked myself the question, do I want to be a landlord at this stage in my life? I had units with, for the most part, good tenants. Nonetheless, my answer was no. I concluded that, I'm financially ok, the kids will be happy provided I don't have a wild night in Vegas, and it's time to do away with unnecessary stress or baggage. Relax, enjoy what you can while to can. That's why today is called the present. By the way. if I do run out of money, I'll move in with the kids.

[Kro1957]

I am very sorry to hear that news of your DW passing. My condolences to you and your grand son. James

[BillJinOR]

We still have our house , the home is our rv! Our oldest daughter has had some struggles and is living there while we travel. I wanted a place to land and wanted to really rent it or lease it. the DW,on the other hand, who had had renters in a prior Marriage 30 years ago wanted to sell and when the Daughter deal came up we compromised. She was right, we should have sold, and have just last month told our daughter we are selling at the end of her kids school year find a place to go.
Daughter can't pay the real expense of the house,and I continue to think about it. Also we moved most of our "stuff" to the Garage so we still have that hanging over our heads. we should have just taken care of it up front. I really don't want to go back and deal with it after being "free" on the road. I realize of course we have to but in Hindsight my DW was so right and I'm eating a lot of crow!
About the Tag... personal choice. I was a commercial truck driver the last 30 years of my work life and love the stability the tag, we travel a lot so it makes a difference , at least to me. In the big picture the extra cost in tires and maint doesn't matter. There is some real truth to the saying if you don't want a tag, don't test drive one, especially over a speed bump or angled drive.( no rocking back and forth) Everyone's comfort level is different! I met one guy in a 12' casita who was happy as could be... that's what matters!

[twogypsies]

RE: a tag.... our 40' diesel didn't have one. We drove secondary roads constantly and the western mountains - lots of curves. We felt ours was very stable and easy to handle on those roads. If you go over 40', yes, but you don't have to have one in a shorter one.