I’ll give you tough love advice. You will burn right through your equity if you aren’t careful and disciplined. That’s what happens if you suddenly get a windfall and aren’t use to dealing with a large amount.

So I would say definitely pretend it doesn’t exist. And use your mortgage as your way to save. You are solving both your savings concern and your shelter problem at the same time. Your equity will be your savings. San marcos is on the way up. Schools are pretty good.

I would keep your house. And make minimum enhancements to it. Like no maintenance unless its absolutely necessary. Bare bone shelter. That’s it. Best luck to you