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<p>This is a question that comes up more often than people expect. Life changes, plans shift, and suddenly, homeowners start wondering if it’s too soon to move again. A new job, a longer commute, growing families, or even a neighborhood that doesn’t feel quite right can all spark the thought.</p>
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<p>The truth is, there’s no right or wrong answer here. Timing a move depends on more than just how long you’ve owned the home. Taxes matter, especially when selling, but they’re only one piece of the decision.</p>
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<p>In this article, the team at Master Management Real Estate in Washington will share some thoughts on financial timing, lifestyle changes, and market conditions to help you decide when moving makes sense for you.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Know About the 5–7 Year Guideline</h2>
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<p>We won’t beat around the bush. The five-to-seven-year guideline exists for a reason. Many industry professionals suggest this timeframe because it usually gives homeowners enough time to build equity and cover the costs tied to selling. Early mortgage payments lean heavily toward interest, not principal, which means equity grows slowly at first.</p>
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<p>“Breaking even” is often misunderstood. It doesn’t mean making a profit. It means selling the home without losing money after expenses. As of 2023, a Fortune article suggested new buyers may need about <a href="https://fortune.com/2023/11/01/how-bad-housing-market-affordability-zillow-says-13-year-breakeven/">13.5 years to fully break even</a>, though that number can change based on how much you put down, your interest rate, and how easy your home is to sell.</p>
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<p>Selling costs add up quickly. In Washington, <a href="https://www.zillow.com/learn/closing-costs-for-sellers/">sellers often pay about 8% to 10%</a> of the sale price in closing costs, including commissions and related fees. On a $362,000 home, that’s roughly $29,000 to $36,000. Moving costs matter too. Movers in Washington typically charge between $604 and $5,950, with average labor costs around <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/checkpoint/moving-costs/washington/">$182 per hour</a>.</p>
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<p>Selling too soon can leave homeowners short once all the math is done. That said, while five to seven years is a guideline, your personal situation may result in more or less time before you’re in a financial situation to sell and move.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Understanding Taxes When Selling a Home in Washington State&nbsp;</h2>
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<p>Taxes often come up when homeowners think about selling, and Washington has some rules that surprise people. The state has a capital gains tax, but real estate is generally exempt. That means most home sales are not subject to Washington’s capital gains tax, even on higher-value properties.</p>
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<p>That said, sellers do need to plan for the <a href="https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/other-taxes/real-estate-excise-tax">Real Estate Excise Tax</a>, often called REET. This is a state tax based on the sale price of the home. It follows a tiered structure, with higher-priced homes taxed at higher rates. In most cases, the seller pays this tax at closing, so it directly affects the final numbers from the sale.</p>
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<p>You may also face <a href="https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/income/investments/how-to-figure-capital-gains-tax/">federal capital gains tax</a>, depending on how long you’ve owned the home, how much profit you make, and whether the home qualifies as a primary residence.</p>
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<p>When thinking about timing a move, it helps to understand how these taxes fit into the bigger picture:</p>
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<li>Washington state's capital gains tax generally does not apply to home sales</li>
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<li>REET is a seller-paid cost based on the sale price</li>
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<li>Federal capital gains tax may apply in some situations</li>
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<p>Taxes can shape the math, but they shouldn’t be the only factor driving when you decide to move.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Long It Takes to Build Real Estate Value</h2>
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<p>Home value isn’t just about what a property might sell for someday. A big part of it comes from equity, which is basically the value you have built in the home. Equity builds as you pay down your loan and as the market shifts over time. In the early years, progress can feel slow, especially if your loan has a higher interest rate or a longer term.</p>
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<p>Price growth can help, but it’s never guaranteed. Markets rise and fall, and timing matters when it’s time to sell. That’s why relying only on appreciation can be risky. The type of loan you have also plays a role. Some loans build equity faster than others, while higher rates can slow things down.</p>
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<p>Market conditions matter too. Selling during a strong seller market can help offset slower equity growth, while a softer market may require more patience. For many homeowners, time becomes an ally. Staying put longer often allows payments, market shifts, and demand to work together, creating a stronger position when moving day eventually arrives.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lifestyle Changes That Can Justify Moving Sooner&nbsp;</h2>
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<p>Sometimes, certain lifestyle changes can make the need for a move come along sooner than it would for others. Even if the numbers say staying put makes sense, real life doesn’t always follow a perfect timeline. Priorities shift, routines change, and what once felt like the right fit may no longer support how you live day to day.</p>
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<p>This is why it is super important to be flexible if at all possible. While financial timing is important, it’s not the only thing worth weighing. There are moments when comfort, health, or daily balance should take the lead. Moving sooner can be the right call when staying put creates more stress than stability.</p>
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<p>Here are some of the mthgerost common reasons homeowners decide to move earlier:</p>
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<li>Job changes or commute shifts that affect daily schedules</li>
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<li>Growing families or the need to downsize</li>
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<li>Health, mobility, or aging-related concerns</li>
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<li>Neighborhood fit issues that weren’t obvious at purchase</li>
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<li>Situations where personal well-being matters more than financial timing</li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Timing the Real Estate Market Can Help (or Hurt) You&nbsp;</h2>
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<p>Market timing can play a role, but it’s rarely simple. <a href="https://mastermanagementcorp.com/buying-a-home-in-the-off-season/">Buying during the off-season</a> canmean less competition and more room to negotiate, while seller-friendly markets may allow homeowners to move sooner than planned without taking a hit.</p>
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<p>Also, think about buying and selling at the same time. Doing both together can limit risk, while separating the two can add pressure if prices shift. Moving during uncertain conditions can bring surprises, from slower sales to tighter inventory.</p>
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<p>This is why market timing should be approached carefully. Local insight helps put headlines into context and can make a significant difference when deciding whether now is the right time to move.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding to Move&nbsp;</h2>
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<p>Before making a decision, it helps to pause and take an honest look at your situation. Moving is a big step, and asking the right questions can bring clarity before emotions take over. This isn’t about rushing to an answer. It’s about making sure the move lines up with where your life is headed.</p>
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<p>Here are a few questions worth asking yourself:</p>
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<li>Can I comfortably afford to <a href="https://mastermanagementcorp.com/buying-a-home-while-selling-another-how-to-plan-without-feeling-rushed/">sell and buy</a> again?</li>
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<li>Have my needs changed permanently or temporarily?</li>
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<li>Am I moving toward something, or away from frustration?</li>
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<li>Does staying longer solve more problems than it creates?</li>
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<li>How would waiting another year change the outcome?</li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">When Talking to a Real Estate Professional Makes Sense</h2>
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<p>There comes a point when sorting through options on your own can feel overwhelming. That’s often when talking with a real estate professional makes sense. An experienced agent can help you look at timing from all angles, including equity, current market conditions, and the full cost of selling and buying again. Seeing everything together makes decisions feel more manageable.</p>
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<p>Open, honest conversations matter here. Sharing your concerns, goals, and timeline allows an agent to offer guidance that actually fits your situation. This is especially helpful if you’re dealing with a <a href="https://mastermanagementcorp.com/#probate">probate</a> or <a href="https://mastermanagementcorp.com/how-long-is-too-long-to-hold-an-inherited-property-signs-it-may-be-time-to-sell/">inherited home</a>, where added questions and steps can come into play.</p>
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<p>Professional guidance helps reduce guesswork and replaces assumptions with clearer expectations. Sometimes, having someone walk through the details with you is what turns a tough decision into a more comfortable one.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Making Your Move at the Right Time</h2>
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<p>Deciding how long to stay in a home isn’t about following a strict rule. The five to seven year guideline can be helpful, but it’s only a starting point. Every situation is different, and timing often depends on a mix of finances, lifestyle changes, and what the market is doing at the moment.</p>
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<p>The most important step is looking at the full picture. That includes your budget, your comfort level, your daily routines, and where you see yourself in the near future. When all of those pieces are considered together, the right choice often becomes clearer.</p>
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<p>If you’re weighing your options and want help thinking through the timing, the team at <a href="https://mastermanagementcorp.com/">Master Management Real Estate</a> is here to help. A conversation can make the next step feel far more approachable.</p>
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