Are You Ready to Sell?

Most people don’t plan on living in their first (or second) home forever, but knowing when the time is right to change your housing situation can be tricky. Sometimes life changes force the issue such as relocating to another state or you know your newborn twins won’t fit in your one-bedroom bungalow. But without a pressing reason staring you in the face, it can be hard to know when your home is not working for your needs anymore and whether it would be a good time to sell.

Not much space left!

A growing family can be a good reason to reassess the size of your home versus your needs. Or your family might not be growing, but that doesn’t mean your lifestyle still fits in your current house. If you’ve started working from home, for example, your house might be too small. Or if you little kids are now teens they may need different space. But before you jump to conclusions, see if paring down your possessions works to free up some space.

If you think you might have room to add on, its always good to do the research. Which route to take, check your local building laws and get estimates from two or three contractors. It also wouldn’t hurt to check with your real estate agent as sometimes adding on won’t increase the value of a home more than the cost, and you don’t want to make big-time improvements that will bring only a small-time return on your investment.

Or too much space?

On the other hand, perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed by empty rooms and too much silence…..hello, empty nesters! Saying goodbye to a family home can be difficult, but you should consider how feasible it is to stay if not ready to say goodbye. If yardwork and house upkeep are getting to be a little too much, or soaring utility bills are cramping your style, it might make more sense to move.

Downsizing can be an easy transition and one you will enjoy once moved. If the extra space is bothering you, you might even be surprised how much you can save in time, money and energy by downsizing and some often wonder why they did not do it sooner.

Questioning your neighborhood or location?

Maybe you can no longer deal with the rules of your homeowners association, or perhaps your neighbors are now up at all hours of the night making it hard for you to get that needed rest. Whatever the reason, neighborhood dynamics can change dramatically over time and can also be a good reason to consider selling. And sometimes, you can change. Maybe the 40-minute commute to work didn’t seem like such a big deal the first few years, but now you’re dreading it every day.

You are ready for a change, now what?

Giving your kitchen or bathroom a facelift can make your house feel like new again, which might be all you need to decide you want to stay put for years. But that doesn’t mean it’s a financially sound decision. Before making big improvements, it would be good to check with your real estate agent so they can compare your home to others in neighborhood while knowing the highest price point.  If your home is already similar in style and condition of some of the priciest homes in the neighborhood, remodeling might be a bad idea, and you should consider selling instead.

The first step when you start exploring these directions would be to contact a trusted real estate agent. The Marr Team would be happy to help and we give FREE consultations, with no obligation. During this consultation we can discuss whether listing your home is the right step, the current market, and if you will be able to find a home that meets your new needs to make the move worthwhile. Getting this information is a crucial step and will help you decide when is the best time to list, whether it be now or later. We can help determine if more is needed to be done to your home to get it ready. This informational visit will put your mind at ease as you decide your future and whether to love it or list it!