<prompt> Human: If you dont plan to sell, does it matter what your house is worth? Whether it has gained or lost value? Lets assume you dont need to take out a second mortgage or anything like that.The only problem I can see is that the neighborhood may become more unsafe if the value depreciates too much.  <response>: Not greatly.But the question is, whether or not you can successfully live there until you die. If, for example, you become unable to age in your house, it may be useful to sell it in order to pay for long-term care... consider that something of an emergency fund.Also, should the house need some sort of expensive maintenance roof replacement, etc. it may be useful to be able to borrow against the house if you do not have cash in hand. 