Life Happens, Homes Change: 5 Signs It Might Be Time to Move This Year

Most people don’t wake up one morning suddenly “ready” to move.

Instead, it starts as a quiet nudge. A feeling that something no longer fits the way it used to. A realization that shows up in small moments, not dramatic ones. Over time, those moments add up.

If you’ve been wondering whether a move might be on the horizon but are not sure what that means or when it should happen, you’re not alone. Here are five common signs I see again and again, along with what a smart, low-pressure next step can look like.

1. Your Home No Longer Fits Your Day-to-Day Life

The situation:
A growing family, empty nest, multigenerational living, or simply realizing the layout no longer supports how you live or work.

What people usually do:
They make small adjustments. Rearranged furniture. Converted dining rooms into offices. Told themselves it’s temporary.

A smart, low-pressure next step:
Pause and evaluate what your life actually needs now, not what worked five or ten years ago. This can start with a quiet conversation about whether your current home can realistically evolve with you or whether a different setup would better support your next chapter.

If you are in planning mode, you may also find this helpful:
Planning Your 2026 Move: How Smart Silicon Valley Homeowners Use Winter Strategically: Planning Your 2026 Move

The situation:
Parents needing more support, living too far away, or conversations beginning about future care and proximity.

What people usually do:
They wait for a crisis to force a decision. Or they put the topic aside because it feels overwhelming.

A smart, low-pressure next step:
Explore options early, while you still have flexibility. This could mean learning what it would look like to move closer, create space for extended family, or simplify your own home so you have more capacity to support others.

3. Your Commute or Work-From-Home Setup Is Wearing You Down

The situation:
Long commutes returning post-pandemic, inadequate home office space, or realizing your location no longer aligns with how or where you work.

What people usually do:
They tolerate it longer than they should, assuming it’s just part of life.

A smart, low-pressure next step:
Consider the real cost of time and energy. Even a small improvement in commute or daily environment can dramatically impact quality of life. Planning does not require immediate action, only clarity around your options.

4. Your Lifestyle Priorities Have Shifted

The situation:
Wanting more walkability, access to nature, a stronger sense of community, or simply a different pace.

What people usually do:
They tell themselves they should be grateful for what they have and push the feeling aside.

A smart, low-pressure next step:
Acknowledge that priorities evolve. There is nothing wrong with wanting your home to better support how you want to live now. Understanding what lifestyle changes are realistic gives you freedom, even if you decide not to move right away.

5. Your Financial Picture Has Changed

The situation:
Income growth, RSUs vesting, equity accumulation, or tax considerations creating new possibilities.

What people usually do:
They assume moving will automatically cost more, or they wait until numbers feel “perfect.”

A smart, low-pressure next step:
Run the numbers calmly and objectively. Many homeowners are surprised to learn what options exist once they understand equity, timing, and market conditions. Information creates confidence, even without urgency.

The Common Thread

In nearly every case, people feel the nudge long before they take action. The goal is not to rush a decision. The goal is to replace uncertainty with clarity.

If two or more of these signs sound familiar, it might be time to quietly start a plan.

No pressure. No obligation. Just a thoughtful conversation tailored to your situation, timeline, and priorities.

If you’d like a personalized, low-pressure strategy conversation, I’m here as a resource.

Let’s connect soon. No pressure, just here to be your trusted real estate resource.

April Tavares
Realtor®, GRI | Iniguez & Tavares Team at Keller Williams Thrive
Concierge-level real estate guidance across Silicon Valley
📧 april@apriltavares.com
🌐 IniguezAndTavaresTeam.com

CA DRE #01742179