[4everontheRight]

This has turned out to be a more interesting thread than I originally thought it would be...so many interesting posts! I appreciate all the posts more than I can say.

Right now I have about $128k in mutual funds. I really want to use that money to maybe buy a piece of property but not sure the best way to do that or if that is my best option. I still have a mortgage on my home and am hesitant to use that money to pay it off...only a 3.75% rate.

How does someone use a mutual fund to buy silver or gold? Any thoughts or advice on that?

I also am not sure what immediately to do with the money I withdraw...keep it in savings until I do something with it? I have never sold any of my funds before so this is all just beyond me. Almost overwhelming really.
Thanks again everyone for the information...I appreciate all the posts and opinions!

[taxcontrol]

If you are close to retirement, you may want to consider an annuity fund. If you have a few years left - say 10 or more years before retirement, you may want to consider purchasing the least expensive house you can find in a good area. Then use some of the funds to clean up / repair and update the house. From there you can find a rental agency to rent the house for you.

Those that take that path, expect a 1% return on their money each month. So if you assume 120,000 is spent on the house, you should expect to see a rent somewhere around $1,200 per month. Check with your local rental management companies first to see if your area is able to support that level of payment.

Monthly funds should first be used to pay off high interest debt. After that is paid off, save up the monthly payments to eventually purchase a second house. Rinse, Repeat

This slow but sure plan will often result in a housing portfolio worth 400k to 500k in 20 years with no debt. Further, you will have about 4,000 per month of income to retire on with no debt.