5 Signs It’s Time To Sell Your House

When things are changing fast in your city, it can start to feel overwhelming. New construction is popping up on every corner, a light rail station is being built down the street, and the traffic just seems to get worse every day. You may be feeling like your life is as grey as Seattle’s skies.

Your house doesn’t feel like your home anymore; it’s just a place for you to rest your head at night. Something just doesn’t feel right to you anymore. You’re not sure what it is, but there’s a feeling inside you that something needs to change. To help you gain clarity, here are a few signs now might be the time to sell your house and move on to the next stage of your life.

1. You’re Not Happy About the Changes in Your Neighborhood

This subject is a tricky one, but it’s one that has affected many homers’ decisions to sell their house and move on.

We believe there are three sides to every story: the two versions and the truth. On one hand, self-proclaimed urbanists are pushing for more development and higher density zoning in neighborhoods previously filled with single-family homes. On the other, neighborhood preservationists don’t want to see their neighborhoods change to the degree that they are.

The truth is that these developments are happening whether you’re happy about it or not. As the greater Seattle area fills up with new residents, lawmakers are looking into updated zoning laws to take steps forward to increase density in and around the city. In fact, even the light rail extension has caused a domino effect on the neighborhood changes that are happening all over Seattle.

Related Article: Seattle Zoning Changes to Expect in 2018

If you’re unhappy about the changes happening in your neighborhood—whether it’s new townhomes next door or increased population all around—you might be thinking about moving on to greener pastures.

2. You Can’t Afford to Maintain or Upgrade Your House

As the cost of living continues to rise steadily in Seattle, the struggle to afford even minor upgrades and maintenance on your home is becoming more and more challenging.

Everything from King county’s recent property tax increase to the lack of supply for the current demand of contractors makes it difficult to afford to own a home, especially if it’s an older one that needs a lot of work.

When this is the case, it may be time to cash in on your home and find a new neighborhood—or even potentially a new city with lower costs of living.

Related Article: The Pros and Cons of Selling a House As Is Versus Fixing It Up

3. You’re Not Happy With Your Current Life Choices

Ask yourself this: If you grew up in the Seattle area, why did you stay? If you moved here from somewhere else, what brought you here?

If you’re not happy with your life, it’s a good idea to sit down and take a good look at the circumstances that brought you here. Are you stuck in a career that you don’t like? Are you unable to even find a steady job? Maybe mistakes were made and you’re separated from your family and other personal relationships.

One reason why you may be unhappy may have to do with where you live and why you’re living here. As Seattle’s tech industry grows, the city becomes more stressful for lower-wage workers and everything from your commute to your leisure time can be affected.

Perhaps now is the time for a major life change and a new setting for the next stage in your life’s journey? After all, life is too short to be unhappy with where you live.

4. You’re Tired of The Weather

At the time of posting, it’s April. We’re right at the end of one of the greyest, wettest, and dreariest times of the year. Sure, our summers are perfect—but it only lasts for three months (if we’re lucky) before the sky turns grey for another nine months.

With issues like seasonal affective disorder, the weather can have major implications on our lives. While we get the benefit of long and warm sunny days in the summer, the rest of the time we’re driving around with our headlights on, even at noon.

If you’ve had one too many dark and wet winters, the good news is that it’s not like this everywhere. It might be the perfect time to head to sunnier California, Nevada or Arizona to soak up some long-forgotten sunshine.

Related Article: What Seattle’s Hot Housing Market Means for Homeowners in 2018

5. Your Heart Doesn’t Belong Here Anymore

The green trees, the endless mountain ranges, the Puget Sound, the mingling scent of beer and fish at Pike Place, the Seahawks; these are just a few of the reasons why, outside of job opportunities, people are drawn to the greater Seattle area. If none of these makes you fall in love with the city all over again, it might be a sign you’re simply ready to move on.

Those who have lived in the area for the last five or more years know the amount of change our city has undergone recently, and it’s not going to stop anytime soon. Whether these changes are part of the problem, or you simply don’t feel attached to the area anymore, ask yourself: is there somewhere else that sounds more appealing?

Related Article: The Guide to Selling Your Home Fast in Seattle

It doesn’t have to be across the country—in fact, there are plenty of other great cities and towns in Washington to live in. If your heart isn’t in it anymore and there are no other ties keeping you here, it might be time to put together a list of other places that make your heart pound again.

So, what did you decide?

If you’re thinking about selling your home and don’t want to wait any longer, click here to request an offer from our team. We’ll send you an all-cash offer and work with you to close in a way that best fits your needs; whether that’s this week or in six months.