Has your income or financial situation improved? If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving.
Have you outgrown your neighborhood? The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same neighborhood you want to settle down in for good. For example, you may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district.
Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on? Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. But if your property isn’t large enough, your municipality doesn’t allow it, or you’re simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option.
Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market? If your market is hot, your home may sell quickly and for top dollar, but the home you buy also will be more expensive. If your market is slow, finding a buyer may take longer, but you’ll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home.
Are interest rates attractive? A low rate not only helps you buy a larger home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.
Prepare for visitors. Get your house market ready at least two weeks before you begin showing it.
Be flexible about showings. It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show at the spur of the moment. But the more amenable you can be about letting people see your home, the sooner you’ll find a buyer.
Anticipate the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable.
Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, you should be prepared to at least consider lowering your asking price.
Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of your change of address.
Create a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified about your move.
Arrange to disconnect utilities and have them connected at your new home.
Cancel the newspaper, or change the address so it will arrive at your new home.
Check insurance coverage for the items you’re moving. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.
Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight.
Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.
Check with your condo or co-op about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits for moving.
Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.