I have been looking for a small house for retirement, which will be in at least 8 years, that I plan to rent out. The payments will be less than $600 per month and it's part of my plan to retire at 55 to have no, or a small, mortgage. Houses in the area rent for at least $1k. I saw this house the first day I started looking but when my agent called the listing agent we found that there was a pending offer already.

Last Wednesday I got an email notification that there was a new house that met my criteria and it's THE house! I called my agent and said to offer on it NOW!!! She submitted the offer but the owners were out of town for the holiday.

The day I started looking I posted on FB that I was sending up good thoughts that I find the perfect little cottage for me. When I saw this house I got goosebumps. It is just the cutest little house that I would love to retire in and there is a downstairs bedroom with hardwood floors that is perfect for a sewing room.

This is lovely. I hope they accept your offer and you can retire here.

Adorable! Where in CA is it? I grew up in Orange County.

Beautiful home - good luck - hope you get it !

Perfect little place to retire... Good luck, I hope they accept your offer!

It's in Stockton near Univesity of the Pacific. Houses in the area rent like hotcakes, or so I'm told. I'm not in it to make money, though I wouldn't turn my nose up at it. Just one of the legs of being able to afford to retire is to not have a big mortgage payment. I figure that giving up some cash now for a good down payment is worth the return of having a monthly payment that is less than what I could rent a small apartment for.

I just refinanced my house and the payments are closer to $2k. If I sell it in 8 years I still need to live somewhere and prices aren't going to stay low forever (I hope not), so locking in a low payment now seems like the best thing to do.

sending you good thoughts and prayers that you get your house...Good Luck..

Wonderful!!! Prayers from here! I LOVE the wood floors...VERY well taken care of! Keep us posted!

Lovely house. Good thoughts on the way for you.

Beautiful house. Good Luck