Reaching retirement is a big deal, right? It's a major milestone that comes with a whole lot of change and chances for new adventures. And as you step into this exciting new chapter, it's only natural to think about selling your house and finding a new place that fits your needs as you enter this next stage of life. The good news is, you might be in a better position to make this move than you think. Let me tell you why.

Consider How Long You’ve Been in Your Home

From 1985 to 2009, people used to stay in their homes for about six years on average. But guess what? According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), things have changed. Since 2010, the average amount of time people stay in their homes has increased to over nine years. Can you believe it? Take a look at the graph below to see the trend.

So, here's the deal. A lot of homeowners these days are staying put in their houses for even longer. And, you know what happens when you've been living in a place for a significant amount of time? Life happens! Things change and you reach certain milestones. And when that happens, your needs might change too. If your current home isn't cutting it anymore, don't stress. There could be some better options out there waiting just for you.

Consider the Equity You’ve Gained

If you've been living in your home for a while, chances are you've built up a good amount of equity. This means that you've paid down your loan and the value of your home has gone up. Basically, the longer you've been in your home, the more equity you may have gained. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) even has data to back this up, which you can see in the graph below. So, if you're thinking about making a move, your home's equity could help make it happen.

Home prices can be different depending on where you live, but on average, if you've owned your home for five years, it's likely gone up in value by about 60%. And if you've owned it for a whopping 30 years, you can expect it to have nearly tripled in value!

Are you thinking of making a change? Maybe you want to downsize, move to your dream location, or be closer to friends and family. Well, here's the good news - you can use the equity in your current home to make it happen! And the best part is, you don't have to go through it alone. A reliable real estate agent can assist you every step of the way. They'll help you sell your current house and find the perfect new home that suits both your needs and your lifestyle. So whatever your home goals may be, a trusted agent is here to make them a reality.

Bottom Line

Hey, as you start thinking about your retirement, why don't we catch up and see how much equity you've built up all these years? We can then figure out how you can put it towards buying a home that better suits your evolving needs.