6 signs it’s time to sell your home and move to a new one

In the beginning you really loved your home. But lately you’re feeling like maybe it’s time to sell and move on. Is it cabin fever? Or are you really ready for the next step? Here are 6 signs that it’s time to make a move to your next perfect home.

Six Signs its Time to Sell your Arlington, VA home

#1: You need more space

One of the most common signs it’s time to sell your home and buy a new one is when you realize that you’re outgrowing your space. Time passes and life changes, usually bringing more stuff with it. Kids, pets, furniture, new jobs, new hobbies, working from home…all of these can add up to making you feel pretty crowded in your current home. If you’re not sure, take some time to declutter – maybe by cleaning out a lot of the old you’ll find you have room for the new. But if that doesn’t work, it’s probably time to call a Realtor.

#2: Your home feels too big

Just like a smaller starter home can start to feel too tight for your growing needs, a home that’s too big can also be a sign it’s time to move on. If you’ve recently retired, your kids have moved out and you’re empty nesters, or you just really feel like downsizing is the right thing to do, a Realtor can help you explore how selling your home and buying a smaller one might be the right move for giving you a little more freedom in your life.

#3: Your neighborhood is changing (and not for the better)

Another reason you might want to start shopping for a new home is a growing sense of dissatisfaction with your current neighborhood. More restaurants and shopping in the area may have changed the traffic patterns, make your area feel more congested, or attract a different kind of crowd. Neighbors you loved when you first bought your home may have all moved away leaving you with strangers or tensions that make your street feel not so welcoming anymore. Or maybe things like construction, flight patterns or other changes in the area are getting on your nerves. No matter what is turning you off, you should love the location you live in as much as your home. Added to that, changes in the neighborhood could affect your home’s value, so it’s a good idea to talk to a local Realtor to get the whole picture.

#4: Your home feels like a money pit

If your home is starting to need more and more repairs, your neighborhood has become more upscale, or the bills feel like they are piling up with new HOA fees, increasing utilities and more, it might be time to sell and find a more affordable home. A local Realtor can help you compare your current situation to downsizing or moving to a new area to decide if it’s the right move for you.

#5: You’ve got great equity

Instead of a money pit situation, you might have the great position of realizing that your current home’s equity has appreciated to a sizable sum. If you dream of a bigger home or a better neighborhood, it might be a good time to put that equity to use.

#6: Your job situation has changed

Transfers, new offices, or even new jobs mean that your commute can change. And that means that the comfortable 20-minute commute you’ve enjoyed for the last few years can suddenly turn into a stressful, white-knuckle 60-minute drive in heavy traffic that negatively affects your home life as well. Commuting to and from the office can take hours out of your week, add stress to your life even when you’re at home, and even affect your health. Depending on how permanent your new commute is, moving closer to your job might be what you need to get back those hours of your life you’re now spending on the freeway.