I stood in their yard in the unusual spring warmth and enjoyed visiting with my elderly neighbors. While my 4-year old tugged on my arm and repeated the mantra, “Dad, when are we going to go home?” I just kept talking. “How have you guys been feeling lately?” Their answer was upbeat, but there was something in their body language that told me they were not being completely truthful. As I prodded a bit, they finally gave me the truth. I will spare you the details, but the list of physical ailments plaguing them both was disheartening.
I had driven past boats, an RV, ATVs, snowmobiles, and other toys to get to their front door. All of these sat idle on this gorgeous spring afternoon because the owners were too frail to enjoy any of them. As I listened to the various health challenges my friends and neighbors were experiencing, I finally blurted out (in good humor, or course), “So, is this what we work our whole lives for? We finally retire just in time to experience ill health?” It was meant in good humor, and we all had a good chuckle, but I have been unable to get the irony out of my head since.
What are your retirement goals? What is your optimum retirement age? 55? 60? 65? Later? Why? Is it possible that we often choose our retirement age and plans because ‘that is just what everyone else does?’ Maybe it is time to think outside the box.
Most people do not think they can retire early. Appraisers often fall into this category. Blame the economy. Blame the AMCs. Blame low fees. Blame. Blame. Blame.
Finally, if you love what you do (and we all should), why retire at all? Well, gotta get to ‘work.’
Now, go create some value!
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Dustin Harris is a multi-business owner, but he has found most of his success as a self-employed, residential real estate appraiser. He has been appraising for nearly two decades. He is the owner and President of Appraisal Precision and Consulting Group, Inc., and is a popular author, speaker and consultant. He owns and operates The Appraiser Coach (www.theappraisercoach.com) where he personally advises and mentors other appraisers helping them to also run successful appraisal companies and increase their net worth. He is also the Founder and President of Your Appraisal Office (www.yourappraisaloffice.com) which implements some of the systems he has developed to help lower costs and free up time for real estate business owners. He and his wife reside in Idaho with their four children.
For more information on this subject, please listen to The Appraiser Coach Podcast Episode:
