The Cost of Waiting: Why Some Homeowners Regret Not Moving Sooner

Paul Linn
Jun 16
2 min read

There’s a moment most homeowners face — when you start to feel like your house isn’t working for your life anymore. Maybe it's a space issue. Maybe your job changed. Or maybe your kids are getting older and your school district isn’t quite what you hoped it would be.

So you start thinking about making a move.

But then the questions hit:

What if rates drop next year?

What if prices come down?

Should I just wait a little longer?

We hear this every day. And here’s what we’ve seen:Waiting usually costs people more than they expect.

How Waiting Can Backfire

1. Home prices don’t always fall - A lot of homeowners held off in 2022 or 2023 hoping for a “market crash” that never came. But in places like Franklin Township, Perry Township, and other parts of Indianapolis, home prices kept climbing. Even a modest 3–5% yearly increase adds up fast.

2. Interest rates can change your budget - Let’s say you wait, hoping for a better rate. If prices go up even slightly during that time, you could end up paying more monthly — even if rates dip a bit. The sweet spot is finding the right house and the right timing for your life. Not just chasing numbers.

3. You're stuck in a home that no longer fits - This one’s harder to quantify — but it matters. When your current house feels cramped, inconvenient, or just not aligned with your lifestyle, that stress adds up. We’ve had clients tell us, “We should’ve done this a year ago.” They didn’t realize how much energy their old space was draining from their daily life.\

I've been where you are......

A few years ago, my wife and I were in a rental. We kept saying, “Let’s wait.” Rent wasn’t terrible, and we were busy. But over five years, we spent more than $60,000 and never really felt settled.

We finally made the move. I felt instant relief. More space, better location, and a home that actually fit our life. That’s a big reason why I now help families make that transition before they feel stuck.

What If You’re Thinking About Upsizing?

You’re the exact person we built our Smooth Move System for.

It’s designed for homeowners who want to sell and buy at the same time without feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or financially stretched. We’ll walk you through the plan, break down your numbers, and time everything so you’re never left hanging between houses.

Whether you’re in Greenwood, Beech Grove, Franklin Township, or anywhere in the Indy metro, we’ve done this many times and we can do it for you too.