Is it time for you to move up?

Key insights:

• Those suffering from too little room or an ineffective space may be due for a move-up into something larger and with more amenities for a growing family.
• With lower mortgage rates, it is a good time to enter the market as a buyer. Fall also offers a less competitive market for homebuyers seeking the right fit.
• Home equity is at an all-time high, giving move-up buyers the financial backing to take on a larger down payment and mortgage.

You’ve been in your home for a while and feel like you’re ready for a change into something bigger and more in line with your family's needs. But is now the right time? Should you wait until the rates go down or the market changes? Would your current house even sell?

Before you make up your mind based on what-ifs, let’s take a closer look at why moving up may be the right choice and what you can expect from the market.

Do you need to move on and move up?

First things first—are you ready for a move up? Truthfully, you probably already know if your family needs more space or better amenities, but if you’re still unsure, consider these questions:

• Have you had additions to your family since you bought your home (kids, pets and parents)? Do any of them require their own room, a space in the garage or additional safety precautions like a fenced-in backyard or fewer stairs?
• Are you frustrated with your home’s layout? Is it making it more difficult to do everyday tasks like cooking, laundry or taking the dog outside?
• Are you spending more time traveling to work, school activities, doctors or visits with family and friends?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, your family is probably ready for a move-up. Something with more rooms, a bigger yard and more functional space is needed for your family to live comfortably. Even if you feel like you can make your current home work, there’s most likely another home that would better suit your needs and make your home feel more like a haven, rather than a space you squeeze into.

Is it a good time to move up?

Fewer pending sales, slightly lower sales prices and fewer new listings are hallmarks of the autumn market. Fewer buyers in the market leaves more room for you to find the right home at a slower pace and with less competition. Sellers are often motivated to sell during this period, too.

Mortgage rates have also been coming down, causing reluctant buyers and sellers to enter the market and finally take action to either buy or list. As baby boomers continue to age, many are looking to either downsize, move closer to family or enter a 50+ community, adding a range of homes that are perfect for growing families. If you’re worried about rates rising again, know that you may be eligible to lock in your interest rate.

What does this mean? Homeowners like you are finding that selling and buying are a viable option. Those who are looking to trade up are in an especially good position.

Can you afford to move up?

According to data from CBS, the average homeowner has about $313,000 in equity in their home. As your home equity continues to grow, so does your home buying power. Note that the longer you’ve been in your home and the more you pay toward your mortgage, the higher your equity grows. Home price appreciation also contributes to the wealth of homeowners, and the steady rise in median sales prices is a good sign for current homeowners who are growing their wealth in hopes of a home trade-up.

In June of 2025, nearly 30% of existing home sales were paid for in cash by homeowners using the equity from their previous home sale, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). According to the 2025 NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends, 45% of respondents noted that the down payment on their new home was paid for by the equity accumulated from their last home.

Talk to a REALTORⓇ and a mortgage provider to learn what your home could be worth and what amount of equity you could be working with as you start your search for a new home.

Ready to trade up?

Ready to get off the fence and into today's market? Contact us today and we'll get you started with the move-up process.