Do you sometimes look for houses for sale online? Do you drive by an open house sign and feel the urge to stop and check it out? Those are common indications that, at least on some level, you’re thinking about the possibility of making a move.

But how do you decide if you should actually move?

The first step is to consider whether there are any practical reasons to consider buying a new home. What’s pushing you in that direction?
Is your current home too small for your needs?
Is the commute to work, for you or your spouse, too long?
Are there property features you would now like to have?
Has the neighborhood changed in an undesirable way?
Carefully consider those things that can’t change unless you move. If there are no practical reasons for moving, there may still be other reasons for wanting a new home. You may want to move your family to a neighborhood with better schools or you may simply want a bigger home, with a larger backyard, more rooms, and a wider driveway.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with simply wanting a better place than the one you have now. In fact, that is a common reason why many people make a move.

The point is, if you’ve been thinking about a new home for a while, this may be the time to take the next step.