Some 70% of respondents to our poll on the issue said they weren’t prepared to sell up to travel.

“We kept the family home as a base but, also if we get out of the property market, it will be very hard to get back into again,” said Kerrie F. “So we kept it.”

Ian and Else R agreed.

“It t is vital to have a home base,” they said.

But Sue W sold up in and travelled full-time for 13 years.

“We didn’t have the responsibility of having to come back to a home for any reason,” she said. “Yes, not everyone can afford to get back into the real estate market after travelling, especially nowadays … we don’t have a home just land and a shed as we still travel a lot.”

Gary S is keen to sell while his wife is keen to keep the ‘nest’.

“We spent our life being safe for the kids, now it’s our time to do what we want,” he said. “But people can down size just have a base to come back to if they want.”

Even though she only spends two months of the year in her house, Jane had no intention of selling it.

“It’s the feeling of security that comes from knowing that, if anything goes wrong, we always have a ‘home’ to come back to,” she said.

‘We could have never afforded this if we hadn’t sold our house!”

Jennifer M was another who definitely needed a home base.

“Not necessarily the big family mansion,” she said. “Downsize a little to have the nice rig and also a modest but comfortable base.”

Mike thought that, while it might be great to sell while you are fit and well, things might change as people age and need some sort of medical intervention.

“I’ve heard some shocking stories where one partner has to free camp for months (not able to afford a van park) whilst the other has treatment,” he said.

Mutley thought he had found the perfect solution.

“We have moved into our Granny flat and our son, his wife and three children are now living in the house,” he said. “When we hit the road, our house will be looked after and we still have a nest to come home to … this is a win/win decision.”

Shirley says she was happy enough to sell her house in Townsville.

“We currently have a base in Narooma, NSW, which is our kids’ holiday house,” she said. “Perfect for me because I need a base to come back to … but my husband would be happy to live in the van and on the road full time.”

Ann recognised it was horses for courses.

“You should do what suits you,” she said.

While Ross was a lot more ‘live for the moment’.

“Sell up and go!” he said.