I have some experience here - but I think Gracie is right, although particular circumstances may make a difference.
We were 55 when we bought here 5-1/2 years ago, but somehow, we are now in our early 60s. Geez - somehow happens (but at least we are that much closer to Medicare). But - I digress.
I was selling a condo and moving in with my SO, Ohioboy. I felt I needed a tax deduction so purchased a CYV as an eventual retirement home and a rental/vacation home in the meantime. At the time, we thought we would retire at 62. Also, at the time (2006), prices were still going up up up.
So - we rented it out for 4 years, and spent vacations here spring and fall, when possible. While I do feel it was a nice tax-write-off for me, being a landlord is work, and there are times when it's also a big worry (our first rental year was the year of the big tornado here). Also, doing taxes and keeping receipts and records was more time-consuming than normal. We had very little wear and tear, but it is not easy.
I think it will be years before the housing market makes a recovery, and don't see prices here jumping up very soon. I think also that you'd be better off to wait and rent different places and different models while you're waiting.
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