The first law, also called the law of inertia, states that, unless acted upon by an external force, an object at rest remains at rest, or if in motion, it continues to move in a straight line with constant speed.
Why you might want to sell
Unless you plan to stay in your existing home for the foreseeable future, you’ve probably considered selling your house and buying another. Since inertia is probably the underlying reason you haven’t listed the house, let me remind you why you considered selling it in the first place.
Unless you’re forced to move, because of relocation or another significant life change, you have probably thought about selling your property for one of these reasons:
- To change locations.
- You’ve finished fixing up your existing home and want to move on to the next project.
- You’re ready to move up.
- It’s time to downsize.
- Your financial situation has changed.
- You want to live in a nicer neighborhood.
Whatever the reason, if you’re considering a move, nothing can motivate you to list your existing home more than finding a new place to hang your hat. To help in that regard, we’ve prepared a list of things to consider in a new house.
Decide what you want
Make a list of what you want in a new home. Don’t worry if it isn’t entirely realistic. This is a brainstorming session. During this part of the process, it’s okay to dream big. Also, as you formulate the list, prioritize. Few can afford every item on their wish list. Now is the time to consider which items are negotiable and which ones are deal breakers.
- Set a budget. Now, it’s time to face reality. Figuring out how much you can afford may necessitate eliminating items from your wish list. Can you afford more (or less)
than you are paying now? Are you prepared to make monetary changes to free up more disposable income or are you comfortable with your current lifestyle? (To make sure the target-budget is sound, consider seeking pre-qualification or pre-approval.)
- Choose a target neighborhood. While you should keep an open mind when it
comes to touring homes, it doesn’t hurt to research potential neighborhoods before starting the home search. If you spend a little time on the front end, driving through neighborhoods at various times of the day and paying attention to the condition of lawns and public spaces, you’ll be able to eliminate certain tours based on location, alone. Also, when considering an area, don’t forget about property taxes and Homeowner Association (HOA) fees.
- Focus on the Future. Moving is a lot of work. So you probably won’t want to do it every six months. As you make decisions about where you want to move, consider whether your circumstances will change in the near-future. For example, are you planning on having kids or are your children ready to graduate? Are job changes on the horizon? Or are you near retirement? Your experienced realtor will be able to help you in the process.
Go for it!
Once you’ve decided where you want to move and what you can afford, list your house. The strongest offers are the ones presented without contingencies. So, listing your house before finding the home of your dreams is a great idea. Once you have an offer for your place on the table, you will be free to move forward.
About Candace Cantu McGloin: The Queen of Sunset Hills Realty in Redlands, CA
Keller Williams Realtor Candace Cantu McGloin is qualified and willing to help home buyers and sellers across Southern California. A long-time Redlands’ resident, she specializes in the cities of Redlands, Highland, Yucaipa, Grand Terrace, and Loma Linda but has done transactions both on the buying and selling side throughout Southern California. To learn more about real estate in Redlands or elsewhere in the Inland Empire, call Candace directly at (951) 201-2443.