A man's home is his castle
Dolan Property
Your trusted Marbella real estate agent and property specialist on the Golden Mile.
How do you know when it is the right time to move house?
9th March 2023
By Michael Dolan
English proverb, "a man's home is his castle", (derived from a judicial decision from the English judge Sir Edward Coke in 1604), is based on the premise that a person’s home is their shelter and their place of safety. Never was this truer, than during the pandemic. Our homes became our refuge, our offices, our playgrounds, and our bars and restaurants. We adapted so that there was space to live, sleep, and work.
Since the lockdowns more and more people have looked at the changes borne of necessity and have decided to keep them. Families that used to eat out every night, are now spending more time cooking at home, so they are upgrading their kitchens. Individuals that once commuted for work, have now set up office in the spare bedroom.
When is it time to say, “I need a new castle”, and know that it is the right time to move? A recent survey said, one in three homeowners is currently on the lookout for a new place to live; and that on average, most people start getting itchy feet, after just three years of being in their current one. Buying and selling a property is a very personal thing, especially if it is your home. Everyone is different, and differing circumstances will affect decisions.
Here are some of the top reasons people give us, for why they want to move….
Size is important!
Top of our list is size. This is one of the most common reasons people choose to buy a new property; or sell their old one. Either the apartment, flat, or house they are currently in is too small for them, or maybe the villa is now too big.
It could be a single person who has just got into a relationship and now needs more space for two; a couple who want a nursery for a new baby; or a family with kids that are now teenagers, and they have outgrown where they currently are.
At the other end, it is often parents whose children have left home and got places of their own, who are looking to downsize. Or retirees who don’t want the hassle of looking after a huge garden, and all those extra rooms to clean, they’d rather be on the golf course!
Location, location, location!
Life is everchanging, and what was important at 30 years old, isn’t so important at 40, or 50, or 60. As the family grows up being in a good school district, is an important factor. Parents often look for homes that have good local schools. In line with this, good amenities are handy, like sports and entertainment centres. The closer the better, so the Mum and Dad Taxi service doesn’t have far to go for pick up and drop off.
As some people age, (or even before that), they don’t want the hassle to have to get the car out for every errand. Easy access to local shops, chemists, health centres, all have an influence on where people look to buy in later years.
Money
As people move up on the property ladder; or if they advance in their careers, gaining better jobs with more money, they will look to get a bigger place, or maybe move to what they deem a more prestigious area.
Then the time comes when the mortgage is paid off, (and all the money that has been spent over the years on the upkeep) means the house is worth a tidy sum. If the homeowner no longer has the need for such a large property, they take the opportunity to sell and release all that equity into a different investment scheme, to a pension pot, or simply spend it on doing something fun, maybe more travel, taking a cruise, going on safari, or trekking up a mountain.
The ties that bind us….
As the years pass, close friends and neighbours move away, possibly to a new job in a different area, or to be closer to their loved ones. Maybe it’s the persons family that has grown, or moved away. Or it could be their circumstance has changed. The ties that once held someone to a specific place are no longer there, and for some people it is a chance to try a new area. To be closer to the sea, or to move deeper in the countryside; or maybe even to spread their wings further afield and try a whole new country …. one which has more sun and milder winters.
Homes hold a lot of memories. Some people want to take the chance to shake up their life and leave an old one behind. Embarking on a new chapter, and the easiest place to start is in a new house.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself if you are thinking about whether it is time to move:
- Is your home big enough? Or maybe is it too big?
- Could you extend your current house rather than move?
- Do you have more flexibility because of remote working?
- Are schools, or amenities, a priority for you?
- How do you feel about your current neighbourhood?
- Are you looking to be closer to family?
- Do you fancy a change?
Buying and selling property in Marbella
Buying and selling a property can be a stressful experience, and we can help you through the whole process. We have an expert team, who have incredible knowledge of the Costa del Sol real estate market; and will be by your side, every step of the way.
If you are looking for a holiday retreat, a permanent residence, or you want an investment property -
Marbella’s mix of luxurious gated developments, picturesque mountains and beaches, and private tranquil urbanisations make it the place to buy on the Costa del Sol.
We are based in the heart of Marbella’s Golden Mile and specialise in high quality, desirable properties in prime residential locations; Nagüeles, Sierra Blanca, Cascada de Camoján, East and West Marbella, Istan Road, Nueva Andalucia, Benahavis, and the new Golden Mile in Estepona.
We understand that choosing a new home is a big step, and for those of you buying or selling a property in an overseas country, maybe for the first time, there can be new challenges that need navigating. Our team of real estate experts provide a full ‘hands on’ service. We work in partnership with you (our client), your lawyer and any other professional advisers or consultants.
Dolan Property specialists are committed to the highest levels of business and ethical standards, and we are proud members of the Leading Property Agents of Spain (LPA).
