What would have to happen for you to sell your home?

Wesley Stolsek

Oct 5

3 min read

Most homeowners aren’t waking up every morning thinking, “I need to sell my house.”

But that doesn’t mean a move isn’t somewhere in the back of their mind.

Maybe the better question isn’t “Are you thinking about selling?”

Maybe it’s:

“What would have to happen for you to sell your home?”

For some people, it would take the right price. For others, it might be finding the right replacement home, getting closer to family, retiring, changing jobs, reducing maintenance, or simply deciding that their current home no longer fits the way they want to live.

Sometimes Life Makes the Decision

Real estate decisions are often triggered by something other than real estate.

The kids move out.

A new grandchild arrives across town—or across the country.

You receive a job opportunity.

Your home becomes more work than you want.

You realize you’re paying for rooms you rarely use.

Or maybe you’ve accumulated enough equity that selling could open the door to something completely different.

That’s why I believe homeowners should occasionally ask themselves a simple question:

Does my home still fit my life?

If the answer is yes, great. There may be absolutely no reason to move.

But if the answer is “not really,” it may be worth exploring your options.

It Might Take the Right Price

There is probably a number that would make most homeowners at least consider selling.

But before deciding what that number is, you need good information.

What is your home realistically worth in today's market?

How much equity do you have?

What would your estimated proceeds be after the costs of selling?

And perhaps most importantly, what would it cost to buy the home you would move into?

Selling your home for a great price doesn't accomplish much if the next move doesn't make financial sense.

That is why I prefer looking at the entire move, not simply the potential sales price.

Maybe You Haven't Found the Right Place to Go

This is one of the biggest concerns I hear from homeowners.

“I might sell, but where would I go?”

That's a legitimate question.

Before putting a home on the market, we can look at what is available and determine whether there are realistic options that meet your needs and budget.

You don't necessarily have to put a FOR SALE sign in your yard just to start investigating the possibilities.

Sometimes the first step is simply gathering information.

Your Home Doesn't Have to Be a Forever Home

The house that was perfect for you 10 or 20 years ago may not be the house that makes sense for the next 10 or 20 years.

Your priorities can change.

Maybe you want less maintenance and more freedom.

Maybe you want a larger home because your family has grown.

Maybe you'd like a single-story home.

Maybe you'd rather have a lock-and-leave property so you can travel.

Maybe you want to move closer to children and grandchildren.

Or perhaps you're ready for the home you've always wanted.

None of those decisions automatically mean you should sell.

They simply mean it's worth asking the question.

Start With Information, Not a Commitment

You don't need to be ready to list your home to talk with a Realtor.

In fact, I would rather have the conversation before you're ready.

We can look at your home's approximate market value, your equity position, what's available for your next home and whether making a move actually makes sense.

And if the numbers or circumstances don't make sense?

I'll tell you that too.

My job isn't to convince you to sell your home. My job is to give you enough information to make a smart decision.

So I'll leave you with the question: