11 Warning Signs You Need to Move to a New Home Soon

Is your house telling you it’s time to move? You may have repair bills you can’t afford, and you hope to crush the debts you are accumulating. Or, maybe the mortgage payment is too much to handle, or you're simply bored with your current place.

Whatever the reason, it may be a good time to start looking for a new place or researching how much your current home can get on the market.

But before you run off to sell your house, check out these signs to see if it’s time for you to call the movers.

It might be nice to get a little more space than the cramped home you’re living in now. Perhaps you’re working from home on a regular basis, you’ve added children to your family, or you just want a little more room. 

If so, it might be a good time to start packing and looking for a new place to live.

If you own an older home that needs constant repairs and updates, it might be time to look for something newer.

Be aware, however, that if you have left costly repairs for the next homeowner, you might need to disclose that fact. Other issues might come to light during the inspection. Consider pricing your house with these issues taken into account.

When you bought your home, it might have just been you and your partner living in it. Perhaps you didn’t care about the school district your home was in. But as you expand your family, the quality of schools might become a bigger factor for you.

Perhaps you have just returned to work in an office and it has reminded you of how much you hate the commute. If so, it might be a good idea to revisit neighborhoods closer to your office to see if you would prefer to live there.

Maybe crime is increasing in the neighborhood, or perhaps houses on your block are falling into disrepair. You also might see community services deteriorating.

If any of these things are true, it might be a good idea to pack up and move somewhere else. But be aware that location is a major concern for some buyers, so you may have to sell at a lower price in order to move somewhere else.

Perhaps the kitchen, bathrooms, or other parts of your house have not been renovated for decades. For some homeowners, those renovations are a challenge that they may be excited to get started on.

But for others, gutting a kitchen or bathroom is too much of a project. Instead, consider moving to an updated home and find a buyer who is excited about the projects in your old place.

Have you dreamed of living in a different city? It might be time to consider a fresh start now. Before you get serious about the move, however, do some research on the cost of living and other potential expenses in your new city.

Pro tip: Before finding a new home, you might have to rent for a bit. If so, be sure to check out some of the unusual ways you can pay the rent.

Some people love pulling the sleds and skis out at the first sign of snow. Others prefer easy access to warm, sandy beaches in December.

Weather can affect your mood on a daily basis or put a dent in your lifestyle. So, if you’re dreading another snowfall or hate the heat, it might be time to move to a place that’s more weather-friendly for you.

It may be time to get a new place if you got married recently or had kids. Consider what kind of features your new place should have to help you manage the changes in your life.

For example, you might need extra bedrooms, more space if you both work from home, or simply a bigger piece of property for entertaining or giving the kids a safe space to play.

Do you find yourself thinking “if only this was different” or “if only I had that”? If so, it might be time for you to move on. Take it as a hint that your annoyance is telling you it’s time for something new.

If you.ll be retiring soon, it might be a good idea to downsize. By downsizing, you will likely have smaller utility bills and a more manageable mortgage (if you have one at all). Then use the cash from the sale of your bigger home to fund other retirement needs.

Is it time for you to move? If so, think about the costs you will incur — including closing fees and moving costs — to make sure a move can fit your budget.

You may also want to find ways to make extra cash if you’re going to need to make renovations to prepare your house for the sale. And remember to find a good real estate agent to help you sell your home for the most money possible.