The housing market has its ups and downs, good times and bad, but the truth is that the decision to move is a profoundly personal experience. You are changing a very fundamental part of your and your family’s life. If you answer “no” to any of these questions, it may be time to call up a real estate agent.
Is your home appropriately sized? Answer this question with the next few years in mind. Is a baby on the way? Will your parents be moving in? Will the kids need separate rooms? Moving can be more cost effective than building an addition. Similarly, if you have an empty home now because the kids are off to college, ask if you really need three extra bedrooms. You’ll perhaps be able to upgrade your home for the same cost if you opt for a smaller house.
Does your home rarely need repairs? Some repairs are to be expected, so don’t go running to your real estate agent just because the water heater broke down, but if you’re regularly paying for fixes due to the age or poor quality of your house, it might be time for an upgrade.
Do you have a reasonably short commute? Whether you’ve just found a new job or are getting tired of the hour and a half commute, sometimes you just need to move closer.
Did you make the right choices when buying this home? Maybe you thought you could live without a garage. Maybe the nearby airport wasn’t supposed to cause much disruption. Sometimes, you just need to admit you sacrificed too much and try again, this time sticking to what you know you want.
Is the family close (far away) enough? Depending whether you want to be near or far from your relatives, your home’s location is a huge factor in how often you see loved ones. Maybe you need to get within driving distance or move to where they can’t drop in unexpectedly.
Is every member of your family comfortable navigating the home? As you or your parents age, stairs can become more challenging. For young children, they can be dangerous. There are modifications that can be made to make things easier, but sometimes it’s a better idea to find a more accessible home.
Are you happy where you are? Sometimes a home just isn’t a good fit. Maybe the new neighbors make it impossible to get a good night’s sleep or the creak in the hallway drives you crazy every time someone steps on it. Maybe there aren’t nearby amenities and groups that you can feel like you’re a part of. Maybe you just need a change of scenery. Consider that moving can be a stressful process, but if you decide you and your family would be happier someone else, it may be time to search for greener pastures.
Ascendant Title 