Do You Still Need the House You Needed 20 Years Ago?

Do You Still Need the House You Needed 20 Years Ago?

Twenty years ago, your home may have been exactly what you needed.

You needed bedrooms for the kids. You wanted a big backyard. Maybe you needed a home office, a three-car garage, plenty of storage, or enough space for family and friends to gather.

But here's a question worth asking:

Do you still need the house you needed 20 years ago?

Life changes. And sometimes the home that was perfect for one chapter of your life isn't necessarily the best home for the next one.

If You Were Buying Today, Would You Buy Your Current Home?

I think this may be an even better question.

Forget for a moment that you've lived there for years. Forget the memories, the familiarity, and everything you've accumulated.

Imagine you're shopping for a home today.

Would you choose the house you're currently living in?

Would you want that much square footage? Would you want the stairs? Would you want the swimming pool? Would you want to maintain that large yard? Would you choose the same neighborhood and location?

If the answer is yes, great. Your home may still be exactly where you belong.

But if your answer is, "Probably not," it may be worth exploring your options.

You're Not Just Maintaining a House—You're Paying for It

Extra space isn't free simply because you already own the home.

There are utilities, property taxes, insurance, landscaping, roof repairs, HVAC systems, plumbing, painting, pool maintenance and the seemingly endless list of things that come with owning a larger property.

Three unused bedrooms still need to be heated and cooled.

A backyard nobody uses still needs to be maintained.

A swimming pool that was fantastic when the kids were home can eventually become another weekend chore.

That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your house. It simply means your needs may have changed.

Downsizing Doesn't Have to Mean Downgrading

This is one of the biggest misconceptions I hear.

Moving into a smaller home doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing your lifestyle.

In fact, you might choose a smaller home that's newer, more luxurious, more energy efficient and easier to maintain.

You might prefer a single-story home.

Maybe you'd enjoy a lock-and-leave property that gives you more freedom to travel.

Perhaps you'd rather have a smaller yard, a newer kitchen, better amenities or a community where someone else takes care of much of the exterior maintenance.

The goal isn't necessarily to own less.

The goal is to own a home that works better for you.

But Selling Isn't Automatically the Right Answer

I don't believe someone should sell a home simply because they've lived there for 20 or 30 years.

Your home may be paid off. Your monthly expenses may be reasonable. You may love your neighbors and location. Perhaps your children and grandchildren still gather there regularly.

And maybe you simply love your house.

If that's the case, staying may make perfect sense.

Real estate decisions should be based on your circumstances, finances, goals and lifestyle—not somebody else's idea of what you should be doing.

Find Out What Your Choices Really Are

Before deciding anything, I'd start with two numbers:

What could your current home realistically sell for?

And:

What would it cost to purchase the type of home you'd actually want today?

Once we know those numbers, we can have a much more meaningful conversation.

You may discover that staying exactly where you are makes the most sense.

Or you may discover that the equity you've built over the years could give you opportunities you hadn't considered.

Either answer is perfectly fine.

Your Home Should Fit the Life You're Living Today

Your house served a purpose when you bought it.

It provided a place to raise a family, entertain friends, build memories and live your life.

But your next chapter may look different.

So ask yourself one simple question:

If I were buying a home today, would I buy the house I'm living in now?

If the answer is yes, enjoy it.

If the answer is no, perhaps it's time to find out what you would buy.

I'm not here to convince you to sell a home you should keep. I'm here to help you understand your options and make the decision that's right for you.

Wes Stolsek, REALTOR®

OMNI Homes International

520-404-9773

www.wesleystolsek.com

Serving buyers and sellers throughout the Tucson Metro area.