How to know when it's time to move

Knowing when to move is not always as straight forward as one might think. At times, the need for a change is apparent and unavoidable, but other times, it grows over time and may even go unnoticed. Let's have a look at a few of the biggest indications that it might be time to move house.

Growing pains

A home should be a place where you (and your family, if you have one) should feel comfortable. Feeling cramped in an apartment or house that has simply grown too small over the years is not ideal. Whether it comes with the accumulation of possessions (from books to art to knick-knacks) or additions to the household (from human kids or those of the furry variety), homes have a tendency to start splitting at the seams when one's life simply outgrows its four walls.

The same goes for when your house just begins to feel too big. For many, this can happen after children have left the coop and moved into their own living spaces. However, this can also happen simply due to a personality change, when the walk between the kitchen and the living room just doesn't feel worth the effort anymore as the years go by. A home that feels too large is as detrimental to comfort as one that's too small.

Digging into your wallet

A big indicator that it may be time to move is when the costs of upkeep simply don't fit in your budget anymore. From older properties that require more maintenance as the years go by to first-time homeowners who simply didn't bargain on having to fix their own burst piping, the costs of property upkeep can sometimes catch us off guard. When your home begins to feel like a money pit into which all your money is disappearing, you won't be able to truly enjoy the experience.

Another financial factor that influences your satisfaction with your home could be the hours-long commute you face every day. Living a few kilometres away from work is unfortunately something that many people have to face in the scarce job market. But even so, when the commute is taking away from your appreciation of your home, it may be time to look for something closer to your place of work.

The comforts of home

Homes are there to be lived in. Our homes should be shaped to our lives, evolving as our lives change. Sometimes, though, our homes simply can't evolve with us anymore. From new pets, hobbies, work, school, children, and radical dreams such as building your own home, there are many occurrences that can pop up in your life that may be incompatible with where you live right now.

Your home may also hold too many memories of events in your life that you're trying to move on from, such as the loss of a loved one. In these scenarios, finding a new home may also be the best way to find closure and move to a new chapter in your life.

The most important part of any home is the fact that you need to feel at home - if you don't, it's time for you to start looking for one where you do feel at home. When it's time to start the search, get in touch with your trusted estate agent to help you find the home that's perfect for you.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied upon as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE).