Need Advise on Selling or Keeping Our Home
Member since 2026 · 1 post · 2 votes
Need Advise on Selling or Keeping Our Home
Most Popular Reply
Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votesWhat condition was the home in when you bought it? There are always going to be things that need to be done when you own a home-most of the time they are small things, but not always. Some things can be changed to make less work. The yard is a good example. No yard will ever be completely maintenance free. What is it that takes time? If you have a large garden, downsize it or see what you can do to reduce the time it takes. Grass-add in automatic sprinklers (doesn't have to be fancy, a simply timer and garden hoses attached to sprinklers). Are there things you can hire out that will save you time?
Your kids won't be toddlers forever. Think 5 years down the road-where do you see yourself? Can you find another home in the area that is better suited to your needs? If so, then spend the fall and winter doing what you need to do to get your home ready to sell in the spring (usually the best time to sell).
5 Replies
- 2moTheresa HarrisPro MemberMember since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
What condition was the home in when you bought it? There are always going to be things that need to be done when you own a home-most of the time they are small things, but not always. Some things can be changed to make less work. The yard is a good example. No yard will ever be completely maintenance free. What is it that takes time? If you have a large garden, downsize it or see what you can do to reduce the time it takes. Grass-add in automatic sprinklers (doesn't have to be fancy, a simply timer and garden hoses attached to sprinklers). Are there things you can hire out that will save you time?
Your kids won't be toddlers forever. Think 5 years down the road-where do you see yourself? Can you find another home in the area that is better suited to your needs? If so, then spend the fall and winter doing what you need to do to get your home ready to sell in the spring (usually the best time to sell).
- 2moAbel CurielBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Queens, NY · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
Quote from @Rachael Haulk:
We have owned our home for 6 years and bought for $430 and currently owe $350 at a 2.8% interest rate. Built in 1962 and a great property on 0.5 acre. The problem is we are constantly doing projects, remodeling, or yard maintenance. The landscaping is beautiful, but time consuming. We have spent over $60 g already on projects and still need to do the siding and other expensive upgrades. Our house would not make a good rental or this would be my answer. With the current market, we could not afford another home this nice in our area and would never get a 2.8 rate again. I want to sell in the next few years, but don't see how it's possible. Do we keep dumping money into our home? I have toddlers now and my priorities have shifted and want to live more simply. Please advise because I'm torn!
Do you want to sell in the next few years because you believe you'll outgrow the property?
If so, I'd look for low-cost options for your upcoming upgrades since not all of these costs will add value. New siding will add curb appeal but doesn't guarantee a higher sale price. If possible, I'd consider power washing, painting, and/or replacing parts of the siding in disrepair.
Agreed with @Theresa Harris regarding using leverage or low-cost alternatives for lawn care.
I understand that having toddlers makes us prioritize different things, including the school district. If your current school district is desirable, home values in your area should remain steady or continue to increase. That said, investing more $ in your home to add sq. ft. or reconfigure it to add another bedroom can increase the property's value. Perhaps these upgrades will give you more options when it comes time to sell in a few years.
All the best!
Abel
REbuild Team - eXp Realty5234 Reviews - 2moDrew SygitBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
Quote from @Rachael Haulk:
We have owned our home for 6 years and bought for $430 and currently owe $350 at a 2.8% interest rate. Built in 1962 and a great property on 0.5 acre. The problem is we are constantly doing projects, remodeling, or yard maintenance. The landscaping is beautiful, but time consuming. We have spent over $60 g already on projects and still need to do the siding and other expensive upgrades. Our house would not make a good rental or this would be my answer. With the current market, we could not afford another home this nice in our area and would never get a 2.8 rate again. I want to sell in the next few years, but don't see how it's possible. Do we keep dumping money into our home? I have toddlers now and my priorities have shifted and want to live more simply. Please advise because I'm torn!
Sell!
NO TENANT will ever take care of landscaping like you do:(
Other option is to hire landscaping out NOW to see what the quality you want will cost - as you could make landscaping part of your responsibility in any lease.
Logical Property Management4.9459 Reviews - Real Estate Broker · New York, NY · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes2mo
Hi Rachael,
If I were in your shoes, I'd stop looking at every unfinished project as something that has to get done. Focus on the things that protect the house or genuinely improve your day-to-day life, and let the rest wait. Not every upgrade needs to happen just because it's on the list.
I also wouldn't rush into selling just because you're feeling overwhelmed today. A 2.8% rate is a great position to be in, so if you can make the home easier to live in by scaling back the projects or outsourcing some of the yard work, it may buy you time to make a decision without feeling pressured.
At the end of the day, your home should fit your life, not the other way around. If, after simplifying things, you still feel like the property is more work than it's worth, then you'll know it's time to start planning your next move.
I'm happy to answer any more questions you may have - my DMs are always open!
- Member since 2026 · 27 posts · 3 votes6d
That 2.8% is the part that makes this hard, you'll never get close to it again and anything you buy will cost more per month for less house.
The projects never really end on a place like that, so the question is more whether you want to keep paying in time than money. PDX Renovations is one of the cash buyers in the Portland area if you ever want to see what as-is looks like, but the rate alone is worth sitting with before deciding.
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