I am 45 and in a transferable job changing location every few years. I own a house at a location which has not come up the way I had expected. I am renting out the house at a monthly rental of 20000. I want to move out of the present location so I am considering about selling my house. I can expect around 1 Cr for the house. After paying away the loan and tax, I expect to have 65-70 lacs with me. With the going prices, I may not get a suitable house at a location of my liking. Therefore, I was thinking of investing the amount in an index fund for a period of 15 yrs and build a corpus using which I can buy a house then when I am ready to settle down. My family comprises of wife and three school going kids. Is it advisable to follow through the thought process. Kindly advise.

Ans: Considering your circumstances, investing the proceeds from selling your house in an index fund for a period of 15 years could be a prudent approach to building a corpus for future property purchase. Here's a breakdown of the considerations:

Transferrable Job: Given your job's nature, investing in a property at your current location may not be feasible or advisable due to potential frequent relocations. Therefore, investing in financial assets like an index fund offers flexibility and liquidity, allowing you to access funds when needed, irrespective of your location.

Rental Income: While renting out your current property generates monthly income, if the location hasn't appreciated as expected and you plan to move, selling the property could unlock a significant sum. Investing the proceeds can provide long-term growth potential, ensuring financial stability for your family.

Index Fund Investment: Index funds offer diversification and long-term growth potential by tracking a market index's performance. Over 15 years, you can benefit from compounding returns, potentially building a substantial corpus for future property purchase.

Actively managed funds aim to outperform the market through active stock selection and portfolio management, while index funds passively track a specific index's performance.
Benefits of Actively Managed Funds:
Actively managed funds offer the potential for higher returns compared to index funds, especially during market inefficiencies or when skilled fund managers can identify lucrative investment opportunities. Additionally, active management allows for flexibility in portfolio construction and adjustments based on market conditions.
Potential Disadvantages of Index Funds:
While index funds offer low expense ratios and broad market exposure, they may lack the potential for outperformance compared to actively managed funds. Additionally, they're subject to tracking error, which occurs when the fund's performance deviates from the index it's designed to replicate.

Family Considerations: As your family comprises your wife and three school-going kids, ensuring financial security and stability is paramount. Investing in an index fund aligns with your long-term financial goals and can provide for your family's future needs, including housing.

Market Volatility: While index funds offer attractive benefits, it's essential to be aware of market volatility and fluctuations. However, over a 15-year period, market ups and downs tend to balance out, and investing systematically through SIPs can mitigate timing risks.

Financial Planning: Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to develop a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your specific goals and circumstances. They can help assess your risk tolerance, optimize your investment strategy, and ensure alignment with your long-term objectives.

In conclusion, investing the proceeds from selling your house in an index fund for future property purchase is a sound strategy, considering your job's transferable nature and desire for flexibility. With careful planning and a long-term perspective, you can work towards building a substantial corpus to secure your family's housing needs.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in