Thanks Lars. We have slowly worked at this for 10 years. I should mention also that we seem older than most members of these ere boards. We don't really have all the time in the world, and we sort of feel like we just lost a decade in some financial ways. We should not even be calling it "early" retirement anymore.
No one can sell here for many reasons. Underwater, brand new homes are cheap and foreclosed on because builders overbuilt.
I don't feel comfortable renting out the home. We would make terrible landlords as we are picky, neat freaks and have other landlording concerns.
I can't be the only one wanting to downsize. I wish I could see where those folks posts and what they are doing. All I can find is people wanting government backed refys or how to "walk away". I need neither of those.
You asked what I was doing for ERE now. I do everything I can with a limited budget. This house payment, cost of basic living expenses rising, and pay cuts have limited me, bit I still work every angle. It's my passion.
I realize it's going to take time. Your right, that's not going to change overnight.
Thanks again for your reply.