To move, or not to move? That is the question.
Every day, countless people in Chicagoland ask themselves if the time has come to make a change. Whether you’re a renter considering home ownership, a city-dweller wondering if it’s time to head to the suburbs, or just a dreamer who can’t help but wonder about every “for sale” and “open house” sign on the block, you’ve probably found yourself asking if the time is right to make a move.
How can you know if it’s time to start the search for a new home? Here are ten signs that it may be the right moment to take this big step:
1.) You’re Outgrowing Your Space
Is your existing storage space full to the brim? Do you have more people coming by for dinner than you have seats at the dining room table? Is the outdoor area that was enough for little kids to run around suddenly too cramped for tweens and teens?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then it may be time to look for a new home – one that comes complete with all the space that you truly need.
2.) Your Family Is Growing
Do you have a new baby on the horizon? Or an older family member planning to move in? Are you and a significant other looking to move in together? For all these reasons and more, it could be worthwhile to start your search for a new home, with enough room for all of the important friends and family in your life.
3.) You Have Too Much Empty Space
Have all of your kids “flown the nest?” Have you found yourself with more room than you actually need? Is it becoming harder to keep up with your list of daily household chores? If so, it may be time to consider “downsizing,” or moving into a home with a more manageable amount of space. Our wants and needs change over time; at some point, it might just make more sense for you to trade all of that extra room for a smaller home, if that better suits your lifestyle.
4.) You’re Ready to Change Your Commute
A growing body of research suggests that, for many people, commuting to and from work adds a ton of extra stress and exhaustion to the day. Does this sound like you?
If you’re ready to switch up your daily commute for the better, it may be time to look into a new home. For many people, this may mean looking for a home closer to their place of employment. For others, moving into a new home could mean getting the chance to swap out driving for public transportation, like a train or bus.
5.) You Want to Explore a New Neighborhood
Want to move from the heart of the city to the suburbs, or vice versa? Ready to take in new sights and sounds or dine at exciting new restaurants? Or maybe you’ve thought about how much nicer it would be to live in an area closer to your friends and family?
Relocating to a new neighborhood can be a way to get a fresh start. Whether you want to discover something new, or move closer to your favorite old standbys, changing neighborhoods can be a great opportunity to shake up your routine.
Remember, if you have any questions about the potential value of your home, or the state of your local real estate market, a Baird & Warner agent can help! At Baird & Warner, Chicagoland has been our home since 1855, so we know it like no one else. To get started, why not explore your neighborhood using some of our handy community resources?
6.) Your Home Is Missing ‘That One Thing’
When you moved into your current home, music was just a hobby. Now, it’s a job, and you need room for your piano, guitars, and recording equipment. Or perhaps you’ve finally discovered the joy of cooking, and need a kitchen big enough to accommodate all of your new toys and gadgets. Maybe you need more outdoor space to satisfy your green thumb.
Whatever your thing is, there is a home out there to match. If your new passion can’t be contained within your current space, it might be time to look into finding a new home.
7.) It Just Makes Financial Sense
There are certainly times when, looking at your full financial picture, making a move just makes sense. For instance, if you have savings that could go towards a down payment on a new home, or upgrades on your existing property, it may make more financial sense to move, as those upgrades may not give you the return on investment that you’d like to see.
8.) You Have an Exciting New Opportunity
Moving for a new job opportunity is one of the top reasons why Americans choose to relocate, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Many people choose to move because they receive an offer for a job in a new city. For others, a new location could mean a chance to focus on a new career. And for others, moving to a new neighborhood or city could mean the chance to be closer to their industry of choice.
9.) It’s Time to Make Some Upgrades
Perhaps your reason for moving is simple: Your current place just doesn’t make you happy anymore. There could be all sorts of reasons for this! Maybe you’re ready to trade in condo living for a more spacious estate. Or perhaps purchasing a home with more ample space and newer features would be faster, easier, and cheaper than attempting to make all of these upgrades on your own. Whatever your reasons, know that you’re not alone. According to a report from Move.org, 16% of all people move in order to “relocate to a new or better home.”
10.) You’ve Put It Off for Long Enough
Whatever your reasons for moving, the desire to relocate to a new home can be tempting. And for many people, it can be just as easy to keep pushing this important decision down the line, for any number of reasons. If a new home always seems to be on your mind, it’s important to ask what’s holding you back from taking the plunge.
