I come across a lot of people who say they want to move. Their children have grown up and they no longer need all the space, the upkeep on the property is too much for them, they would like to be closer to family, they would like to go someplace warmer…whatever the reason, they would like to live somewhere else.

But one thing holds them back: fear.

It could be fear of the amount of work involved in sorting through and packing decades' worth of belongings, fear of having strangers going through their home, fear of the projects that need finishing before the house is ready to sell, fear of the whole process itself which they do not understand, and especially, fear of leaving something familiar behind when they are not sure they will love the new place as much.

All of those fears are legitimate. But so are the reasons you want to move.  If keeping your home up is a losing battle, if you're paying to heat, cool and insure a larger place than you need, if seeing your loved ones requires trips and overnight stays, maybe the reasons to move outweigh the reasons to stay.

If you're unsure whether selling is the right option for you, write down the pros and cons, and make a list of the help you will need to recruit or hire to make it happen. Then find out what the market value of your home is, and how much you can expect to walk away with when it sells. Seeing it all on paper should give you some clarity.

Knowledge dispels fear, so the more you understand about the selling process, the more confident you will feel about moving forward. Every situation is unique, but here's a simplified overview of what you can expect along the way:

1. Prepare house for photos – clean and declutter
2. House on the market – allow showings
3. Review and negotiate offers
4. Offer accepted, inspections are scheduled
5. Buyers review inspections, may negotiate repairs or price reduction, depending on reports
6. Property appraisal
7. Lender okays the loan to close
8. You are moved out, buyers do final walkthrough
9. Closing – you hand over the keys and walk away with a check

Moving forward requires a lot of courage and a leap of faith. But knowing what to expect, and that you will not be alone, will go a long way toward making it achievable. If you are debating about selling, give me a call. I'll listen, offer perspective and help you find solutions so you can make an informed decision.  You will not be left to navigate the sale of your biggest asset, to make that leap of faith, alone.