A year or so ago, selling a residence was laughably easy. In some markets, it was clear that you could list practically anything and get an offer within a week or so. The market was so hot that some homes sold before actually appearing in MLS listings and such. For sellers, it just didn’t get any better.
As the market has cooled, sellers have had to return to the basic premise of selling a home. Homes simply are not being snapped up right and left. Here are a few things you should consider.
1. Can you afford another home? Most sellers intend to purchase another home with the proceeds from their sale. Logically, this makes sense, but real estate is not always logical. One area that can be problematic is the interest rate on loans. Your current loan may have a very low interest rate, but you will probably have a much higher one on a new loan. Will you be able to handle the increased monthly payments? Make sure.
2. Why are you going to sell? Some people rush into the sale of a home and come to regret it. Is there an objective reason, such as relocation, for selling your home or are you trying to cash in at the top of the market? Cashing in is not a bad thing, but it is unnecessary if you intend to stay in the same area for the next 10 to 20 years. Markets will bounce up and down, so you need not be overly concerned about the short term.
3. What is the home worth? This may sound like a simple question, but it is one of the biggest issues you should be addressing. Remember, the value of the home is set by comparable homes and appraisals, not what you personally think it is worth. Getting an understanding of the objective value gives you the ability to determine whether selling is a good idea or not.
The decision to sell is a serious one. It is no secret real estate has dramatically appreciated in the last few years. Whether you should cash in on that fact is a question only you can answer.
