January 19, 2016

16 signs it’s time to move to a new home

Has the time come to relocate? This Trulia article from Jen Juneau offers 16 signs it might be time for you to consider making the move to a new home.

One word: money. Yes, it’s an obvious point, but examining expenses is a task that shouldn’t be overlooked when you’re considering a move. Sure, you might be able to upgrade your current home to fit your future needs – but will you see a return on investment when it’s time to sell? Now is the time to examine your finances and figure out if you should continue to save some cash to boost your down payment or explore financing for that upgraded master bathroom you’ve been dying to take on.
You’ve outgrown your storage space. There’s only so much Pinterest-surfing you can do for inspiration on reorganizing your kitchen and clearing out the general clutter before you start to realize that your current space just isn’t working for you anymore. If more cabinets will make your life easier, so be it. It’s up to you whether that means a remodel or a new kitchen in a new house. Either way? Goodbye, random boxes in the corner.
Your family is expanding. If you’re adding a couple of kids and/or pets to your brood, upgrading your home is a logical next step. Aside from needing more space, aspects you may have overlooked before — like A-rated school districts and that sweet neighborhood park — may be suddenly appealing. Don’t have kids? This rule still applies, since buying a house in a great school district is a big plus when it’s time to sell.
The kids/roommates are gone. In the opposite vein, don’t waste money on space you don’t need! If it’s just you and your honey now, why not downsize to a smaller house or studio apartment to save not only on your mortgage but also on utilities, repairs, cleaning time, and more?
Your neighborhood is on the decline. If the crime rates in your neighborhood are headed in the wrong direction, it might be a good idea to move — quickly — before it gets even harder to rent or sell your place to someone else. There’s no shame in wanting to make your nest in a home where you feel safe and secure.
You have a dream your current place won’t support. Whether you envision a home dressed to the nines with luxurious upgrades or one with an extra room you can dedicate to home brewing (hey, whatever floats your boat), it might be a sign that you’re ready to move on.
Your city isn’t as appealing to future buyers as it once was. Every trendy city has its moment. If yours is one of those whose popularity for new residents is steadily declining, selling now rather than later could save you a lot of cash (and heartache) down the line.
It would cost you less to move than to keep repairing your current place. It can be hard to admit when it’s time to throw in the towel on repairs, especially if you’ve put a lot of hard DIY work into your beloved abode. But it might be time to take a step back and think about how nice it would be on your stress levels and wallet if you could start fresh.