The daily Astorian., May 26, 2017, WEEKEND EDITION, Page 28, Image 49

Is it time to sell?
You’ve renovated,
decluttered and
poked around the
Internet for home
listings. But how do
you know it’s truly
time to move on from
your home and put it
on the market?
Especially if you have lived
in it for a few years, your home
actually starts to feel like another
member of your family.
The countless number of hours
you have spent painting walls
and making repairs have made
you an invested homeowner, one
who isn’t quite sure if it’s time to
let go. But fear not. Reaching the
right decision for you and your
family is as simple as doing a little
research and making sure you’re
on the same page with everyone
involved.
So read on for a few clues that
it’s time to pack your bags and reach out to a local
Realtor for next steps.
a Realtor to set up showings. This ground work is
critical to knowing if you’re ready to pull the plug on
a sale.
You’re ready to relocate
You’ve outgrown it
Are the walls seemingly caving in as you run
out of storage space for your growing family? This
is an indicator that a larger home may be in your
immediate future. Living in too tight of quarters can
stress anyone out, so do yourself – and your family
members – a favor by checking into the costs of
homes with one or two more bedrooms.
You may be surprised to fi nd that depending on
your target location, that your mortgage payments
may not be all that much higher. Get pre-approved
by your local bank or mortgage broker and contact
Maybe you’re moving for a new job or maybe
you’re ready to simply try out a new location.
Whatever the factor that is driving your desire to sell
your home, make sure you’re thinking through all of
the logistics.
For example, consider what your new commute
to work will be. Where will the kids go to school?
Are there plenty of good job opportunities in your
new prospective location for you and your spouse to
advance your careers?
If you can logistically move through these
28 | Property Lines: At Home edition 2017 | www.dailyastorian.com
questions without any major barriers, then it could be
the right time to sell.
What’s the market saying?
If you’re a possible seller, consult with your Realtor
on how the local market is looking in terms of home
values comparable to yours. Have the number of
homes listed in your neighborhood and price range
been increasing in the past year? What is the
average length of time a home stays on the market?
If your Realtor can point to quick sales at great
prices, it could be a great time to put your home on
the market. Follow the instinct and advice of your
local professional, as no one knows the market like
they do.