Happy Summer! We hope you are enjoying the Silicon Valley sunshine as much as we are, and enjoying a blend of time away and staying in the comforts of home all day! As we continue to follow the market trends in Bay Area real estate and beyond, we wanted to touch on a subject that is on virtually every homeowner’s mind at one point or another: when should I sell?

On the surface, there are many poignant and powerful reasons to sell: you are relocating and need the equity to buy a residence in your new locale, you need a bigger or smaller home due to a change in family circumstances (a growing family or an empty nest!), or you are just plain ready for a change.

But what about the not-so-obvious reasons to consider a sale? There are many times when it can be financially, emotionally or physically advantageous to sell… such as:

#1 | You Are Ready To Make A Profit. There are times when market conditions are the driving force behind a home sale, cases where the return on investment is simply too good to pass up and an ideal foundation to secure your family’s future. If the price per square foot of homes in your neighborhood is increasing, if the amount of properties of your home type and size on the market is decreasing and you’ve noticed an increase in brokerage activity in your micro-market – it’s time to take a look at the options and opportunities. (We are always happy to help with a complimentary home valuation and to assess what that bottom line means for your short and long-term goals.)

#2 | You Need Some Breathing Room. Chances are, we have all faced a situation where our financial circumstances changed but our income did not. If you are trying to figure out how to send the kids to college, care for an aging parent, juggle a career transition or simply reduce your housing expenditures – it’s more than acceptable to consider a sale. If the financial obligation of your current home is causing daily anxiety, there’s nothing wrong with considering giving yourself some breathing room. Moving to a less expensive neighborhood, into a smaller home or one with desirable schools (that enables you to save on tuition costs) are often viable options. It is never a ‘last resort’ to prioritize your financial sanity and holistic goals along with your ownership objectives.

#3 | You Are Ready For Low Maintenance. Silicon Valley life is demanding enough… sometimes a move can help you simplify for all the right reasons. Does the thought of fixing up your older home make you want to consider a new build? Are you ready for one-story living instead of two? Would you love the amenities of a multi-family community (pool, gym, landscaping) instead of managing all of those costs and services separately? If the financial costs or logistical challenges of your current home are increasing your stress, there is nothing wrong with decreasing your home work load.

There are countless reasons to consider selling your home, and we understand that this is a decision never to be taken lightly. We do however encourage homeowners to give themselves permission to envision the life that they want to create, not the one they feel they have to ‘make work’. Please let us know if we can help you adjust your real estate objectives to help make the rest of your life – the BEST of your life.

Inspired By: Should I Sell My House? 6 Signs It's Time to Move On

All our best,

Your Homes of Silicon Valley Team