10 Signs That It’s Time to Move House

Our moving habits have changed. A decade ago, we moved home on average, every eight years; now it’s 23 years. But in real life, there isn’t an algorithm telling us that it’s time to move house.

Typically, a major personal, professional, emotional or financial change in our lives forces us to move.

But do we always recognise the tipping point? Are we at risk of missing the moment and regretting it even after? If we do, we could find ourselves in a home that’s too big, too small or in the wrong place for our needs. These could all be signs that it’s time to move house.

Here are 10 life-changing events – and if they change our lives, shouldn’t they change where we live too?

Family changes

Life evolves, and so do our needs. Perhaps when you first bought your home with your partner, it was everything you dreamed of. But now, things have changed. Maybe you’ve become a parent, and suddenly the area no longer suits your family’s needs. You might long for more child-friendly amenities like parks and schools. Or perhaps a quieter neighbourhood. These are just examples, but when you start feeling that your surroundings no longer align with your lifestyle, it’s a clear sign: it’s time to move house.

Whether it’s becoming a parent, watching teenagers leave home for university, experiencing a relationship change, or realising your home is the wrong size for your long-term needs, life’s transitions often point to one conclusion: it’s time for a fresh start.

Work

Work has always been a trigger for selling, typically to move closer to the office itself or nearer a good transport link. With 40% of us now working some or all the time from home, the new twist is that we might want a place that’s simply larger, has better broadband or is more flexible. This change in work needs might indicate it’s time to move house.

Getting older

We could adapt our existing home,  do we need those empty, spare rooms? Or risk the garden deteriorating because it’s too much to manage? Instead, downsizing is the answer.

Moving near relatives

This can happen at any time of life. If you need to help with the grandchildren or be closer to your parents to lend a hand, moving permanently means you can achieve that without the guilt, travel or hassle required to fulfil family duties from a long distance.

Old to new

We may love a Victorian terrace or old country home but let’s face it – maintenance, energy costs and restrictions on the alterations you can make mean that for some people, a new-build could mean a new start and be the right time to move house too.

Catchment areas

The big one is catchment areas! This is arguably the main reason families with school-age children move home, battling fierce competition for the right property in the right location. The best-organised parents do this well in advance. The need for good schools could mean it’s time to move house.

The neighbourhood changes

What may have been a brilliant place to live 20 years ago may be less attractive now…or our tastes have changed, and we may have mellowed from the urban cowboy we were in our 30s into more of a rural squire as we become grandparents!

You can’t improve – time to move house

Even if your neighbours are happy with your plans for an extension, the council may not be if your home is listed or in a conservation area, or your idea seems too large-scale. Plus, even if you get the go-ahead, the expenses of remodelling and the difficulty in finding skilled workers might disrupt your plans. In simple terms, if it’s too complicated to improve your home, it might be better to consider moving.

Property envy

There’s no shame in scrolling to find the home of your dreams, and you won’t be alone as certain property portals reported over 200 million visits each month. As your circumstances, lifestyle and age  change, staying put and not going for that perfect house may be the biggest missed opportunity ever. It might be a sign that it’s time to move house.

Finances

That big promotion, an inheritance or an upcoming retirement are when our finances change radically. Or perhaps it’s time to cash in some hard-earned equity to help your children onto the property ladder. All these life-changing moments are made easier by moving home.

Moving is one of life’s major upheavals so you should have the family in agreement, finances sorted ahead of time, as much as possible, and your existing home in optimum condition before you take the first step of calling in an estate agent.

And because it really is an average of 23 years between house moves these days, there’s no one better than a Propertymark accredited agent to help re-acquaint you with the process of preparing to sell,  find that next home, and managing the move effectively. This underscores that it’s time to move house.

Last Updated: December 13th, 2024