7 Huge Signs It's Time to Sell Your House

Your home isn't simply one of your biggest investments. More than just a physical shelter, it’s a space where precious memories are made. But as much as you love your home, there will always come a time when you feel like it’s time to move.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the median number of years a seller owned their home was ten. Some of the most commonly cited reasons for selling are that the house is either too small or too large or that the neighborhood is becoming less desirable.

While there are a variety of reasons, selling a home is undoubtedly a huge decision — one that will make you reassess your current situation. Maybe it's something you’ve been considering for a long time as you scrutinize the most recent property listings and daydream about a new house. If you’re still on the fence about selling, here’s a look at seven telltale signs that it’s time to sell your house.

Home equity, in simpler terms, is the difference between how much your home is worth and the amount you owe on your mortgage. Knowing how much equity you have in your home is usually the first step if you are considering selling, as sufficient equity may increase your chances of leaving the sale with a decent profit. 

The best way to calculate home equity is to subtract the value of your home from the loan balance. So, how much equity should you have before you sell your house? You want to at least have enough equity to pay off your current mortgage. And if you can make enough profit to cover the 20 percent down payment on your next home so you can avoid paying private mortgage insurance, plus enough to cover closing costs and other moving expenses, then even better.

Aside from your monthly mortgage costs, if you find that rising property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance costs are starting to become unmanageable and have been straining your budget, the next resource may be to sell and find a more affordable home. Selling your home to ease your mortgage burden is a better route than risking foreclosure, especially if you underestimated your housing costs.

Changes in your needs and lifestyle can make you rethink your space. If you have a growing family, what might have been a good size when you first moved into the house might no longer be the case. Outgrowing your home is an indicator that you need to upsize, especially if you're already in a situation where your kids are crammed into a bedroom or your aging parents need to move in with you. The next logical step is to consider selling your home and buying a bigger one to accommodate this new chapter in your life.

On the other hand, you might need to downsize if your children have all grown up and moved out. It’s a simple solution that will not only lessen your maintenance and upkeep costs but also help you save money that can be used for retirement or other investments.

Certain life events, such as death, illness, divorce, or relocation for a new job, can also be significant factors that may warrant a need for a change.

Maintenance is one of the most significant responsibilities associated with homeownership. However, scheduled services such as landscaping, house cleaning, pest prevention, trash removal and recycling, septic service, and even tree or snow removal often come with a hefty price tag, particularly when getting the help of a professional. According to Homeguide, in 2024, the average home maintenance costs range from $4,000 to $22,000 per year, although the cost depends on the home's age, size, location, features, and condition.

If the energy or expenses of keeping up with your home’s maintenance is starting to feel more trouble than it’s worth, you may want to consider selling and instead buying a lower-maintenance real estate, such as a condo or new construction.

Seeing your beloved neighborhood change as time passes by can have its pros and cons. While changes are to be expected, it can be saddening if your neighborhood changes so much that it already affects your quality of life or displeases you, especially if you've lived in it for a long time. Issues like rising crime rates, unwanted construction, or increased traffic congestion can make you want to relocate. It can also be disheartening to see your closest neighbors move out one by one. These factors are good enough reasons to sell your home and find another neighborhood that will best suit your needs and lifestyle.

When deciding whether it's time to list your home for sale, the state of the property market can also be part of the equation. In a strong seller’s market, homes generally sell faster for a higher price since the housing demand exceeds supply. Competition among buyers might be higher when your home goes on the market, which means you can probably sell your house for more money and have plenty of offers to choose from.

While it goes without saying that you’d prefer to sell your home when the market is good, ‘timing the market’ shouldn’t be your top priority and should only be one factor.

 

 

Last but not least on this list, you'd want to ensure that you are emotionally ready to sell. The process of selling can be an emotional roller coaster. Are you ready to let go of your personal attachment to the home? Aside from the need to declutter and prepare the home for sale, you also need to prepare yourself for any kind of adverse feedback you may receive from potential buyers. Even if the numbers are all saying that it’s time to sell, your psychological preparedness matters as much, so give yourself time.

On the flip side, maybe you already have the next logical step and have the means to do so. Having a solid plan of what comes next makes you ready to move out and leave your beloved place to venture into something new.

Don't get us wrong—the decision to sell your house is still up to you, so take your time deciding if you should sell. Then, study the local housing market and find a trusted and knowledgeable real estate agent in your area so you can be completely ready when you do decide to move.