Hi, my fellow OzBargainers,
I would like to seek your personal opinion on something I've been contemplating. A few years ago, I made this post and ended up purchasing a large property. However, due to some personal circumstances, my family is not extending anytime soon (I was about to get married, but things didn't work out in the end).
Currently, I reside in a fairly spacious 45SQ double-storey house with just three adults (family) living here. To be honest, most of the house doesn't even get used. Recent events have prompted me to consider whether downsizing and moving into something smaller might be a better idea for now. Due to its size, the house requires constant cleaning, and we spend most weekends tidying up. Another significant factor is interest rates. Although I'm fortunate enough not to be struggling, I'm uncomfortable with the amount of interest I'm paying each month on this property.
My current situation is as follows: the current property is worth anywhere between $1.1-$1.2M, and I owe approximately $650K, leaving me with $450-$550K in equity. Upon researching, it seems I could easily purchase a good 4-bedroom property in outer Melbourne suburbs for that price. The idea of being mortgage-free feels almost unreal, but at the same time, I'm uncertain if I'll be able to afford something similar in the future.
My current monthly repayments to the bank are approximately $3800, of which approximately $2800 is just interest. I feel like instead of wasting this money on interest, I could save it and potentially upgrade in the future if needed.
I've created a simple poll below if you don't feel like commenting, and as always, thank you, community, for your time and valuable input.
Edit: I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed and offered invaluable suggestions. After reviewing some comments and crunching numbers, it has become apparent that selling my property at this time doesn't align with my best interests. Considering the substantial expenses involved, including approximately $55,000 in stamp duty when I initially purchased the property, along with an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 for a new property, lawyer fees, agent fees, moving costs, and more, I would incur a significant financial loss, amounting to several hundred thousand dollars, without any tangible benefit. The notion of selling was merely a passing thought, but upon reflection, I realize that owning a larger property also entails increased maintenance responsibilities. Once again, I am immensely grateful to the OzBargain community for steering me away from hasty decisions. Please accept my sincerest appreciation to all :)
So you sold the Canberra property?