Funny how houses seem to have a sixth sense for timing, right? I’ve seen this play out with a lot of folks—get a little breathing room after a refi or HELOC, and suddenly the appliances start a revolt. Those online calculators definitely paint a rosier picture than reality most of the time. They rarely factor in the “everything breaks at once” scenario.
I’ve run the numbers for clients who tapped equity for income, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag. Some years, you’re ahead—maybe even feel like you’ve outsmarted the system. But then you hit a stretch where the HVAC dies, or you need new siding, and it wipes out all your gains. Over a decade, it tends to even out, unless you’re really disciplined about setting aside a chunk for repairs.
I wouldn’t call it a total break-even game, but it’s not the easy money some folks expect. The peace of mind comes from being prepared for the “what ifs,” not just counting on the best-case scenario.
