EP 66 - Real Estate & Retirement

Downsizing in retirement sounds simple — sell the big house, buy something smaller, pocket the difference. In reality, it's one of the most emotional and financially complex decisions Canadians face. In this episode, Ben Davies sits down with real estate agent Alyssa Ismail, mortgage brokers Rob and Sandra Zanet, and real estate & estate lawyer Sebastian Schmoranz for a 360-degree look at what it really takes to make the right move — and the costly mistakes people make when they try to go it alone. In this episode: Rent vs. own in retirement — including the landlord risk most people never think about The hidden costs that quietly turn a "downsize" into an accidental upgrade Carrying a mortgage into your 70s, 80s, and beyond — and when it actually makes sense Reverse mortgages: how they really work, who they're for, and what to watch out for Estate myths that cost families dearly — probate, putting your kids on title, and joint bank accounts Multi-generational living and ADUs: the pros, the tax traps, and the cleanest way to set it up