Chris Gmyr

Warm weather, and the height of the home buying season, isn’t as far away as you think. If you were thinking about selling your home in 2010, this is the time to start getting ready. Clean, repair and contact a Syracuse real estate agent to get the process started.

But, what if you’re not sure if you want to sell? How do you make up your mind? After all, you’ve lived in this home for several years, and there are a lot of memories inside those walls. It’s your home. Are you ready to walk away from it?

That’s a hard decision to make, and there’s no right answer. It’s up to you and any family members who also live in the home with you. While you’re thinking about it, here are a few questions to keep in mind.

Does the home still fit your needs?

If it’s not broke, maybe it doesn’t need to be fixed, right? If you have the right amount of living space, the perfect yard, and you love your neighborhood, maybe this isn’t the time to move. On the other hand, if you’re family is growing and you need more space, or if the yard is too big for you to handle, there might be a better home for you. The same goes if your neighbors drive you nuts, or you want to move to a safer neighborhood. If your current home isn’t meeting your needs, it’s time to let it go and find a new home, one that is perfect for you.

Can you afford your current home?

It happens. Maybe you moved into a home, and then your financial picture changed. Maybe the heating and cooling bills are more than you can afford. Maybe you purchased a fixer-upper, and you can’t afford the repairs it needs. Whatever the reason, this home has become a financial albatross around your neck. It’s okay to let it go and move into a more manageable home.

Has your life changed?

Divorce, marriage, empty-nest, retirement… There are a dozen life changes that might have you second guessing your current home choice. If your life has changed recently, you might be ready to move to a home that better fits your current situation. If you bought the home while raising your children, for example, maybe you don’t want the extra work of keeping up a large home now that your children have grown and moved out on their own.

Are you ready for an upgrade?

A lot of people buy their first home with the hopes of an eventual upgrade. If you’re looking to move into a better home, this is the time to act. You’re going to have a lot of choices as a buyer. 2010 is going to be a wonderful year to buy a home, which makes it the year to upgrade to the type of home you’ve always dreamed of.

If you’re not ready to sell, don’t. There’s no way to change your mind later, after you’ve moved out. However, if you know you’re ready, contact a Syracuse real estate agent to learn about the next steps.