How Long Should You Live in a House Before Selling? Let’s Talk Strategy.

by Tiffeny Forrest

At Forrest Group Realty, we believe in making smart moves not rushed ones. So if you’ve been wondering, “How long should I stay in my home before I sell it?” you’re not alone, and you’re asking a great question.

🎯 The Magic Number: 5 Years

Here’s the heart of it: most experts recommend living in your home for at least five years before putting up that “For Sale” sign. Why? Because it gives you time to:

Build real equity (aka real financial power)
Ride out market ups and downs
Offset the buying and selling costs like closing fees and agent commissions

In other words, five years helps you grow roots and returns.

But let’s be real. Life doesn’t always wait for a five-year plan. So here’s what else you should know…

💡 What If You Need to Sell Sooner?

Hey, we get it things change. Job relocations, growing families, unexpected opportunities (or challenges) pop up all the time. If you’re thinking of selling before that 5-year mark, it’s totally possible. Just keep in mind:

You might break even instead of turning a big profit
You'll want to take a close look at current market trends (we can help with that!)
The key is knowing how much equity you’ve built so far

✨ Pro tip: If your home value has jumped since you bought it, you could walk away with more than you think.

🌱 Let’s Grow Together

Whether you’ve been in your home for 2 years or 12, selling is a big decision and it deserves more than guesswork. At Forrest Group Realty, we don’t just help people move homes; we help them move smarter and together.

This is your journey, but you don’t have to do it solo. Let’s look at the numbers, the market, and your goals and create a plan that actually works for you.