I think buying and renovating your house was probably the best investment you will ever make. With our first house purchase back in 1978, we put down a large down payment, we had money then, but no children. Over a three-year period, my husband and his brothers added a level, making a 2 bedroom into 4 bedrooms with a huge open family room, more than doubling the sq. footage.
Our 30k down on a 45k purchase turned into being worth over 300k, the market was hot.
Instead of selling we took out a home equity loan and built a house on the property we purchased in Upstate NY. We have now retired to this bought and paid for home.
Just got lucky? Nope, the big guy had a plan all along.
I tell everyone who is thinking of retiring, start out debt free.
Nice post as usual.