How to Know When It’s the Right Time to Move

One of the most common questions I hear of as a realtor in the North Atlanta suburbs is, “Should we move now… or wait?”
It’s a fair question, and an important one.

Moving is a big decision. It’s emotional, financial, and often tied to major life changes. While market conditions absolutely matter, the truth is this: there is no such thing as perfectly timing the real estate market. The “right time” to move is rarely about chasing the top or waiting for the bottom, it’s about understanding how the market affects your situation and having a clear plan.

You Can’t Truly Time the Market

Many people feel pressure to wait until prices peak or interest rates drop. Buyers worry about paying too much. Sellers worry about leaving money on the table. But markets are constantly shifting, and even professionals can’t predict them with precision.

What is predictable is this:
Every market has advantages and tradeoffs, and those tradeoffs often balance out, especially when you’re buying and selling at the same time.

Buying and Selling in the Same Market

If you’re both selling a home and purchasing another, the market doesn’t just affect you in one direction.

• In a softer market:
  You may sell for slightly less than you would in a hot market, but you’ll often benefit on the buy side with more options, less competition, and stronger negotiating power.
  
  

• In a strong seller’s market:
  You may sell for top dollar, but you’ll likely face more competition, fewer choices, and tighter timelines when purchasing your next home.
  
  

In many cases, what you give up on one side is offset on the other. The market tends to give and take at the same time, which is why timing the market matters far less than understanding how it impacts both sides of your move.

What If You’re Buying Your First Home?

First-time buyers often worry most about one thing: “What if I overpay?”

While that concern is completely understandable, it helps to zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

If you plan to stay in your home for at least four years, short-term market fluctuations become much less important. Real estate has historically rewarded time in the market, not perfect market timing. Over a multi-year horizon, small differences in purchase price typically matter far less than people fear.

It’s also important to consider this reality: renting builds zero equity.
Every rent payment goes toward someone else’s investment. Homeownership, on the other hand, allows you to build equity, benefit from appreciation over time, and stabilize your housing costs.

For many buyers, even in competitive or higher-rate markets, owning still makes financial sense compared to continuing to rent, especially when rising rents and long-term benefits are taken into account. The goal for a first-time buyer isn’t to “win” the market, it’s to buy a home that fits your life, your budget, and your plans for the next several years.

Life Timing Often Matters More Than Market Timing

Some of the best moves happen because of life, not market headlines.

People decide to move for many reasons:

• Needing more or less space

• Changes in family dynamics

• School transitions

• Job changes or retirement

• Maintenance becoming overwhelming

• Wanting a different lifestyle or location
  
  

When your home no longer supports the way you live, waiting for “perfect conditions” can sometimes cost more financially and emotionally than moving forward with a thoughtful, well-planned strategy.

A Smart Plan Beats a Perfect Market

The key isn’t timing the market, it’s timing your move with a plan.

That plan may include:

• Understanding your net proceeds, not just your sale price

• Exploring buy-before-sell or sell-before-buy options

• Aligning timelines to reduce stress and risk

• Knowing how current market conditions affect your specific goals

Every move is different, and the right approach depends on your lifestyle, finances, and comfort level—not just what the headlines say.

The Bottom Line

There is no universal “right time” to move, but there is a right time for you.

If you’re feeling uncertain, you don’t need to have all the answers. A thoughtful conversation can help you understand your options, see the full picture, and decide whether moving now makes sense, or if waiting truly serves you better.

Sometimes clarity is the most valuable thing you can gain before making a move.

About Eileen Hill

Eileen Hill is a Realtor and real estate advisor based in Suwanee, Georgia. She serves buyers and sellers across Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Barrow, and North Fulton Counties, including Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Buford, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton, Cumming, Braselton, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, and Hoschton. She works with first-time buyers, move-up buyers, downsizers, and homeowners planning for a future move.

Frequently Asked Questions About Timing a Move

Is now a good time to buy or sell a home?
The right time to move depends more on your personal situation than the market itself. Buyers and sellers are affected by the same market conditions, and in many cases the advantages on one side help balance out the other.

Should I wait for interest rates to drop before buying?
Waiting for rates to change can mean missing opportunities in the meantime. Many buyers choose to move forward when the timing is right for their life and refinance later if rates improve.

Is it better to sell my home before buying another?
That depends on your finances, comfort level, and the current market. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, which is why having a plan tailored to your situation is so important.

Should first-time buyers worry about overpaying?
If you plan to stay in your home for at least four years, short-term market fluctuations matter far less. Over time, homeownership often provides more stability and long-term value than renting.