If retirement is on the horizon, now’s the time to start thinking about your next chapter. And you probably want to make sure you’re set up to feel comfortable financially to live the life you want in retirement.What you may not realize is you likely have a hidden goldmine of cash you’re not thinking about — and that’s your home. Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows that home values have gone up nearly 60% over the last 5 years alone (see graph below):And that appreciation gave your net worth a big boost. According to Freddie Mac, over the same five-year period:“ . . . Boomer overall wealth increased by $19 trillion, or $486,000 per household, half of which is due to house price appreciation.”So if you’ve been in your house ever longer than that, chances are you have even more equity in your home. If you want to have access to more of the wealth you’ve built up throughout the years, it’s worth thinking about selling your house to downsize.Why Downsizing Might Be the Right MoveSelling now so you can downsize into a smaller home, or maybe one in a more affordable area, could free up your home equity so you can use a portion of it to help you feel confident retiring. Whether you want to travel, spend more time with family, or just feel financially secure, accessing the equity in your home can make a huge difference. As Chase says:“Retirement is an exciting time. Selling your home to take advantage of the equity or to downsize to a more affordable home can open up additional options for your future.”Here are just a few of the ways a smaller home can fuel your retirement:1. Cut Your Cost of LivingData from the AARP shows the number one reason adults 50 and older move is to reduce their cost of living. Downsizing to a smaller house or relocating to a more affordable area can help you lower your monthly expenses — like utilities, property taxes, and maintenance costs.2. Simplify Your LifeA smaller home often means less upkeep and fewer responsibilities. That can free up your time and energy to focus on the things that matter most in your retirement.3. Boost Your Financial FlexibilitySelling your current house gives you access to your equity, turning it into cash you can use however you like. Whether it’s investing, paying off debt, or creating a financial cushion, it can open up new opportunities for your future.The First Step Toward Your Next ChapterIf you think you may be interested in downsizing, working with a real estate agent is your next step. Your agent will help you understand how much equity to have and how you can use it. But they’ll do more than that. They’ll also help you navigate the entire process of selling your current home and finding a new one, so you can transition smoothly into a new home and a new phase of life.Bottom LineIf you’re planning to retire in 2025, now may be the perfect time to downsize and unlock the equity you’ve built up in your home. Connect with a local agent to start planning your move now, so you’re set up to make every day feel like a Saturday.

Let’s face it — buying a home can feel like a challenge with today’s mortgage rates. You might even be thinking, “Should I just wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?”But here’s the thing, no one knows for sure where mortgage rates will go from here, and waiting could mean facing more competition, higher prices, and a lot more stress.What if buying now — before the spring rush — might actually give you the upper hand? Here are three reasons why that just might be the case.1. Less Competition from Other BuyersThe winter months tend to be quieter in the real estate market. Fewer people are actively looking for homes, which means you’ll likely face less competition when you make an offer. This makes the process feel less rushed and less stressful.According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes sit on the market longer in winter compared to spring and summer (see graph below):Fewer buyers in the market means you’ll likely have more time to make thoughtful decisions. It also means you may have more negotiating power. According to the Alabama Association of Realtors:“A significant benefit of buying a home in winter is the reduced competition. Because of the perceived benefits of spring, many buyers delay the start of their house hunt. As a result, you will find fewer people competing for the same properties during winter. Less demand can translate into more negotiating power as sellers may be more willing to entertain offers or agree to concessions to get a deal closed quickly.”2. More Negotiating PowerWith homes staying on the market longer, sellers may be more willing to negotiate. This can lead to better deals for you as a buyer, whether that means a lower price or added incentives, like sellers covering closing costs or making repairs. As Chen Zhao, an Economist at Redfin, points out:“. . . buying during the off season means less competition from other buyers. That means potentially negotiating a better deal.”Plus, when demand is lower, sellers often feel more pressure to work with serious buyers. This could give you an edge to negotiate terms that work best for your situation.3. Lock in Today’s Prices Before They RiseHistorically, home prices tend to be at their lowest point in the winter months, too. According to data from NAR, home prices last year were at their lowest in January, February, and March — right before the spring buying season kicked in (see graph below):This trend isn’t new — Bright MLS shows between 2010 and 2024, home prices in January and February were, on average, 15% lower than during the month of peak home prices (typically June). Buying in the off-season means you’re more likely to avoid paying the premium prices that come with the high demand of spring.On top of that, home prices generally appreciate over time, meaning they tend to go up year after year. That means if you’re ready to buy and you can make it happen, you’re not only taking advantage of what might be the lowest prices of the year, but you’re also locking in today’s price before it increases in the future.Bottom LineWhile spring may seem like the obvious time to buy, moving before the peak season can give you significant advantages, like less competition, more negotiation power, and lower prices.If you’re ready to explore your options, a local real estate agent is there to help.

Some HighlightsLast year, as many as 1 in 3 sellers took their home off the market because it wasn’t selling.If this happened to you too, you don’t need to be embarrassed. What you need are answers. And a local real estate agent can help with that by seeing if it was priced too high, needs some repairs, or didn’t get the right exposure. If you still want to move, connect with an expert agent to come up with a new strategy. Together, you can get your house sold.​