Sell and buy two places or refinance and buy one somewhere else?

Cripps Realty
3 min readFeb 28, 2024
Article by Cripps Realty

“I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I don’t know if I should sell and then buy two places or refinance and buy one somewhere else.”

When it comes to real estate decisions, whether to sell and buy two places or refinance and buy one elsewhere is a crucial choice that depends on various factors.

“It just depends. Do you like your home? Some people would say sell it now while it’s higher and buy two when it’s less or stay in yours now refinance and then buy when it’s less.”

Just keep in mind that if you do buy then and the interest rates are higher it might cost you the same everywhere. You might have saved 80,000 off the top, but then the interest rates make the payment the same so then you can’t do anything. It’s hard to say it kind of depends on the whole picture of what you want to do.”

Selling & Buying Two Places:

Pros:

Having two properties enables investment diversification by distributing risk over a number of sites or property kinds. If one market performs better than the other, it can potentially present chances for bigger rewards. As a result, it will offer flexibility with regard to living quarters, rental income, or potential future sales.

Cons:

Transaction costs for purchasing and selling two properties include closing charges, agent commissions, and possible capital gains taxes. In addition to being time-consuming, managing can call for more work and resources for administrative, tenant, and maintenance duties. Additionally, it exposes investors to risks related to vacancies or fluctuations in rental income in both locations, as well as market swings.

Refinancing and Buying One Somewhere Else:

Pros:

Consolidating ownership into a single asset through refinancing and purchasing a single property somewhere simplifies financial obligations and management. By obtaining a lower interest rate, lowering monthly mortgage payments, and combining debt into a single loan, it may result in possible cost savings. Additionally, it makes it possible for property management to be more concentrated, allowing people to devote their time and resources more effectively.

Cons:

Reducing diversification by consolidating into a single property increases exposure to the risks and performance of a single location. Refinancing and purchasing a single home elsewhere exposes people to market timing risks because the location and date of the acquisition have a significant impact on the investment’s performance. Refinancing and selling one property to purchase another may result in capital gains taxes, depending on the individual’s situation and the difference in property values.

Choosing between selling multiple properties or refinancing one involves considering financial goals, risk tolerance, and personal circumstances. Owning multiple properties offers diversification but higher management costs. Consolidating into one simplifies management but limits diversification and market timing risks. Consult with professionals.

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Cripps Realty

Voted #1 Top Choice Real Estate Agency of 2023, 2022, 2021 & 2020 in Barrie