Selling to Build: Freeing Up Capital for a Home

Over the past weeks, I have been unwinding several equity positions. Not as a reaction to markets, but as part of a deliberate shift in priorities: building cash for a future down payment on a house.

The positions sold:

• Kinder Morgan (KMI) – 48 shares
• Canadian National Railway (CNI) – 20 shares
• A. O. Smith (AOS) – 25 shares
• Medical Properties Trust (MPW/MPT) – 200 shares
• Medtronic (MDT) – 30 shares

This marks a temporary transition from long-term compounding to short-term certainty.

Looking Back at the Buys

Each of these investments was made with a clear thesis and documented at the time:

• https://dividenddream.blogspot.com/2024/10/recent-buy-canadian-national-railway-cni.html
• https://dividenddream.blogspot.com/2023/05/recent-buy-aos.html
• https://dividenddream.blogspot.com/2023/02/recent-buy-mpw.html
• https://dividenddream.blogspot.com/2022/09/recent-buys-asml-txn-mpw-afl-intc.html
• https://dividenddream.blogspot.com/2022/12/recent-buys-bep-txn-ad-and-mdt.html

Reality Check: Underwhelming Performance

Since purchase, results have been mixed at best:

• Limited price appreciation
• Some positions trading below cost
• Weak sentiment around MPT in particular
• Opportunity cost versus stronger performers

None of these positions were outright disasters. But collectively, they did not produce the expected combination of growth and income. Under normal circumstances, the answer might be patience. But portfolio decisions do not happen in isolation—they depend on real-world needs.

The Actual Driver: A Life Event

The decision to sell is not primarily market-driven. It is because I need liquidity for a future down payment on a house. Selling achieves three things:

1. Converts invested capital into usable cash
2. Eliminates downside risk before deployment
3. Creates flexibility and certainty

Final Thought

Investing is often framed purely in terms of returns. But ultimately, capital has a purpose beyond accumulation. This is one of those moments where capital shifts from: “working in the market” → “working in real life.” From building a portfolio… to building a home.

Recent buy: AOS

This is a rather late post to mention the fact that I have opened a position in AOS. Back in February I bought 25 shares for about $66 per share. A few years ago I wrote an article on Seeking Alpha about the company and its growth prospects in China and India.

The current yield is rather low (about 1,8%) but so is the payout ratio (about 35%). The dividend has grown about 18% per year in the last 10 years. But it seems to be slowing down somewhat in the last 5 years but still a respectable rate of 13% per year.

This purchase will add about $30 to my forward annual dividend income.

 

A.O. Smith Heats Up Your Portfolio Returns But At A Hefty Price

I am on fire lately! My 2nd article has been published on Seeking Alpha, check it out here. I've reviewed the prospects of A.O. Smith, a leading company in the water heating business. Take a look ff you want and tell me what you think!

Once again I have to think Roadmap2Retire for being so kind as to check my grammar and provide me with advice!