Stop 401k and Purchase a Rental Property?

[Anonymous]

Is this a viable and sustainable option?

Currently 37yo (single income family) and have about $400k in retirement and $300k in home equity. My company invests 15% of my base salary into my retirement account each year from company profits. Also, I am provided dividends from company profits on a yearly basis (untouchable until I retire and usually around $50k to $100k, depending on company profits - this is not an investment account, money sits stagnant until I retire).

Should I stop my max contribution to my 401k ($18,500) and rely on company deposits for my retirement and purchase a rental property for supplemental income?

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Not really a clear cut from a theoretical perspective.

But my sense is people do better doing stuff and saving/building wealth they way *they like*.

If you like idea of being a landlord I say go for it!

[Anonymous]

No.
—someone with a rental property

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No.
—someone with a rental property

thank you.

Have things not gone as expected? Renters hard to deal with?

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

what's your HHI? Probably Nah, keep the 18,500 of tax deferral.

If you have extra money to save beyond maxing the 401k, then go for it. Make sure it's the right rental property.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it is a good idea, and also, are you sure that the company contribution isn’t a match? In most plans they don’t contribute the maximum unless you also contribute a certain amount.

[Anonymous]

This may come as a shock but over the long term no one makes money in real estate when you factor in inflation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This may come as a shock but over the long term no one makes money in real estate when you factor in inflation.

Really? No one? Not a single person?

The above is why you should not get all your financial advice from anons on the internet.

[Anonymous]

Do you want to be a landlord? Do you enjoy home maintenance or have a good team of people who can do the work for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This may come as a shock but over the long term no one makes money in real estate when you factor in inflation.

Really? No one? Not a single person?

The above is why you should not get all your financial advice from anons on the internet.

Life is so much easier if you don't take things literally.

[Anonymous]

I haven't had big problems with renters. I ask ca $300 less what similar place rents for. I also rent to people who want and need to build credit.
Invest in Reits unless you have the time to deal with dishwasher breaking and so on. I have on-site maintenance for small problems. They take care of big problems, but that costs ofcourse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what's your HHI? Probably Nah, keep the 18,500 of tax deferral.

If you have extra money to save beyond maxing the 401k, then go for it. Make sure it's the right rental property.

I've been in your situation and agree with this. We've just now been able to think about doing both.

[Anonymous]

No - I'd max out my 401K and then if you have kids put it into a 529 plan.