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Stay or Sell? How To Make the Right Call as You Age
At some point, as you start thinking about the years ahead, this question tends to come up:
“Could I stay here long-term… or would it make more sense to move?”
It’s not always urgent. It often shows up in small moments, like going up and down the stairs, keeping up with the maintenance, or just thinking about what the next chapter of your life might look like in this home.
And for most people, the answer is simple. They want to stay.
The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology found about 90% of adults over 65 prefer to stay in their homes as they get older (see below):
But even if staying feels like the right answer, it’s still worth thinking ahead about what that might actually look like. That’s where the right agent can really help.
What You Need To Plan for If You’re Staying in Your Home
Aging in place is definitely possible. But it’s better if you have a plan. And here’s why. The home that once worked perfectly may need to change with you over the years. And it’s easier if you can anticipate those expenses.
- Sometimes that means small updates: like adding grab bars in the shower.
- Other times, you’ll have to make bigger decisions: like reworking layouts or moving key spaces to the first floor.
Some of those changes are going to be simple. Others can be a meaningful investment. And that’s why thinking about it early matters. Not because you need to decide anything right now, but because it gives you time.
- Time to understand what your home may need.
- Time to explore your options.
- Time to find the right contractors.
- Time to space out the expense of the upgrades.
According to ElderLife Financial, here’s a rough baseline of what it could cost depending on what needs to be done (see below):
And don’t worry. If your heart is really set on staying, but the costs feel like a concern, it helps to know you have options. Depending on your situation, there may be financial assistance programs available, along with tools like home warranties to help manage unexpected costs.
Just remember, if you’re thinking about making updates, it’s always worth having a quick conversation before you start. A real estate agent can help you understand which changes tend to make sense for your situation and how they may impact your home’s value based on your local market.
When Moving Might Make More Sense
But staying isn’t always the best fit for every situation. According to Pegasus Senior Living:
“While most seniors hope to age in place, practical considerations sometimes make selling a home the wiser choice.”
Sometimes, it comes down to a simple shift: when the home that once made life easier, starts to make it harder.
That might look like:
- Maintenance or yardwork that’s starting to feel overwhelming
- Stairs or layouts that are getting harder to manage day-to-day
- Or needing more support or care or being too far from loved ones
And sometimes, it’s not about necessity at all. It’s about lifestyle. Some homeowners just don’t want to live through major renovations. Others are ready to simplify, downsize, or move somewhere that better fits this next chapter, whether that’s a smaller home, a 55+ community, or a place closer to family.
For them, moving simply means making daily life easier.
Bottom Line
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here.
Some people stay and make updates. Others move to simplify things. Either can be the right choice. The goal isn’t to pick one today. It’s to understand your options early, so when the time comes, you feel confident instead of rushed.
And if you ever want a sounding board to think through what the future could look like for you, let’s connect.
3 Things That Are Not Going To Happen in Today’s Housing Market
There’s a lot of uncertainty right now and that’s leading to some dramatic headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that can make you feel a little less sure about your decision.
A recent study by CNBC asked homebuyers what they’re most worried about, and three themes kept coming up again and again:
- Mortgage rates
- The number of homes for sale
- Home prices
But a lot of what you may be hearing on those is based more on misconceptions. Not facts. So, let’s break it down and separate fact from fiction.
Misconception #1: “I’ll Just Wait, Because Mortgage Rates Are Going To Fall Dramatically”
One idea doing its rounds on social is that mortgage rates are going to drop dramatically soon. So, it’s better to wait to buy.
But is that really what’s expected?
While mortgage rates have come down a bit in the last few weeks, forecasts don’t show a major drop ahead. The most likely scenario is that rates stay somewhere in the low 6% range this year.
And that’s not a big change from where rates are now (see graph below):
Of course, this depends on where inflation and the economy go from here. But, based on what we know today, waiting for a big drop in rates may not work out the way some people hope. As U.S. News explains:
“Mortgage rates aren’t expected to change much over the next several quarters . . .”
Not to mention, even with rates where they are today, it’s already more affordable than a year ago. So, even if they don’t change much, it’s still better than it was.
Misconception #2: “There Are Too Many Homes for Sale Right Now”
You’ve probably heard inventory is up. And nationally, it is. The number of homes for sale is 8% higher than this time last year. But that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s one of the reasons buyers have a bit more breathing room right now.
The problem is the headlines are making something good, sound bad. They’re focusing on how this is the most inventory we’ve had since 2019 or how many homes builders are building. And that can make it sound like the number of homes for sale is rising too far, too fast.
But that’s not what the bigger picture shows.
Data from Realtor.com proves that, even though inventory is up compared to last year, it’s still nearly 14% lower than it was during the last normal housing market (2017-2019):
While it can vary a lot based on where you live, only 9 states have more inventory than pre-pandemic today. That’s a key reason why there still aren’t enough homes for sale to trigger something like the crash back in 2008.
Misconception #3: “Home Prices Are About To Crash”
You’ve probably seen this one, too. The confusion is coming from the fact that some metros are experiencing slight price declines. And influencers are running with that and saying prices are crashing. But that’s not the reality.
Most areas are seeing prices rise, not fall. And that’s because:
- Many homeowners aren’t selling because they don’t want to give up the low mortgage rate they locked in a few years ago. And that’s keeping a lid on how much inventory can grow.
- Since inventory is still below pre-pandemic norms, there aren’t enough homes for sale to cause a price crash.
- And even in markets with more inventory, some sellers are choosing to pull their homes off the market instead of cutting prices.
And those are 3 big reasons prices aren’t headed for a crash.
And even in the markets experiencing mild declines, the drops aren’t enough to cancel out the big gains most homeowners have seen in the last 5 years (see graph below):
That’s not a crash. That’s just prices moderating after a few record-breaking years.
Bottom Line
Online posts are going to make things sound worse than they are. If you want a true, data-bound look at what’s really happening in today’s market, lean on a real estate agent.
Let’s connect so you have someone to separate fact from fiction today.
Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here’s What To Keep in Mind.
With economic headlines, global events, and near constant talk about affordability, you may be wondering if this is the right time to move. But here’s what you need to remember.
While recent events do have some impact on the housing market, they don’t take buying off the table. You just have to use a different strategy.
Mortgage Rates Have Been Up Slightly – Here’s Why
After trending down for most of 2025, mortgage rates have been higher again for over roughly a month now. And experts say it’s a result of what’s happening overseas and in the broader economy. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains:
“Mortgage rates have recently moved higher, driven by geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy costs that are contributing to inflation concerns.”
But what does that really mean for you? Should you wait for everything to settle back down before you buy a home?
The short answer is no. You don’t have to wait.
Your Window To Buy Didn’t Close
It’s true that a month or so ago, when rates were just shy of 6%, buying felt a bit more affordable. And now that rates are hovering around the mid-6s, monthly payment costs are higher.
But zoom out for a second.
Let’s say you’re taking out a loan for $500k. Even with rates in the mid 6s, you’re still saving roughly $300 on your monthly payment compared to buyers who made their purchase early last year.
That means this recent increase in rates hasn’t erased the progress we’ve seen. Buying is still more affordable than it was just one year ago (see below):
Sure, your monthly payment would’ve been a little less expensive a few weeks back. But hindsight is always 20/20.
The goal moving forward shouldn’t be to perfectly time the market. Things change too quickly for that. Instead, the real goal is to make the best decision you can based on where things are today. And the best advice anyone can give is: brace for volatility.
When It Comes To Rates, Expect the Unexpected
Mortgage rates are going to continue to be move around in the weeks or months ahead as new information and economic reports come out.
Try to remember, you can’t control global events or where rates go next week (or even next month). But you can control how you prepare. If you do that, it becomes less about the headlines, and more about your situation.
If You Want or Need To Move, You Still Can
The simple truth is, if you want or need to move, you still can.
Some buyers are choosing to move forward right now because their needs haven’t changed. A growing family, a job relocation, a lifestyle shift – those things still matter.
And for buyers who do decide to move forward, there are ways to make it work.
For example, you could explore options like adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) to get a lower rate upfront. That may or may not be the right fit for you, but it highlights an important point: there are strategies that can help you move, even now.
What matters most is having a plan.
And working with the right agent and lender is a big part of that. With expert help, you’ll:
- Understand your budget and what the math looks like at today’s rates.
- Explore your financing options, including ARMs and assistance programs.
- Have trusted guidance from experts who’ll keep you up to date throughout the process.
Bottom Line
Even though there’s some uncertainty, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
If you need to move, you still can. Let’s connect so we can explore all your options and make your move happen.
Before You Fall in Love with a House, Do This First.
Be honest. Have you started looking at homes online yet? If you have, it’s already time to get pre-approved. Because here’s what not enough people know.
If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – you don’t want to wait until later on in the process to tackle this step.
No matter what you’ve heard, pre-approval isn’t about commitment. It’s about clarity. And here are the two big ways pre-approval sets you up for success.
You Know Your Numbers Up Front
During the pre-approval process, a lender will walk through your finances and tell you what you can borrow based on your income, debts, credit score, and more. And once you have that number, your search becomes a lot more focused.
With a mortgage pre-approval, you know what you can borrow, so it’s easier to figure out your ideal price point, and what you can actually afford. And that clarity is key. Because if you just start browsing online and just guess at your price point, you run the risk of falling for a house that’s outside of your price range – or missing out on ones that aren’t.
You want this number to be clearly defined before your search. Here’s why.
You Can Move Quickly When You Find the One
This is how a lot of home searches go today. You scroll through listings just to see what’s out there, and then it happens. You fall in love with something you’ve seen online.
If you’re already pre-approved? You’re probably in great shape.
But if you’re not…
Instead of being able to jump on that house and quickly make an offer, you have to scramble to get a lender, gather the financial documents, and then submit the necessary pre-approval paperwork first. And while you’re waiting to hear back from your lender, someone else who’s more prepared could beat you to the house. As Bankrate explains:
“The best time to get a mortgage preapproval is before you start looking for a home. If you find a home you love but don’t have a preapproval in hand, you likely won’t have time to get preapproved before you need to make an offer . . .”
And that’s avoidable, with the right prep.
Because while you can’t control when the right home shows up, you can be ready for it. Think of it like showing up to the starting line with your shoes tied and your warm-up done – while everyone else is still looking for parking.
It’s not about rushing your timeline. It’s about removing the delay between finding the right home and being able to move on it.
One Thing You Need To Know About Pre-Approvals
Speaking of timing, pre-approvals do have an expiration date. So, be sure to ask your lender how long it’s good for. The Mortgage Reports explains:
“Mortgage preapproval letters are typically valid for anywhere from 30 to 90 days. However, a preapproval can be updated and extended if the lender re-checks your information.”
Doing the right prep and knowing this information can make the whole process a lot smoother.
You don’t have to be ready to buy to be ready to buy.
Getting pre-approved doesn’t mean you’re committing to buy right now. It just means you’ve taken a step to understand your numbers. And when a home catches your attention, you’re prepped and good to go.
Bottom Line
Ask yourself this: if your perfect home popped up tomorrow, would you be ready to make a move?
If the answer is no and you want to buy, it may be time to get pre-approved. You don’t feel behind before your search even officially kicks off.
