If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’ve undoubtedly seen headlines stating that real estate prices are on the rise. According to Trulia, most markets, housing has begun to bounce back and in a selected few metros, like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, the housing market isn’t just bouncing back – it’s booming! So, if you’ve been on the fence, waffling about whether or not to sell, consider these 5 things:

1.  Equity Advantage.  During the housing bust, a huge percentage of home owners saw their equity evaporate as home values dropped. Many even owed more than their houses were worth. No one wants to sell when it requires writing a check to the bank or listing as a short sale. And owners with equity definitely didn’t want to list knowing that lower sale prices would have eaten it all away. If you’ve been waiting to sell for this reason, chances are you now have a bit more positive equity in your home, thanks to recent market upswings. Maybe now is the time to consider that long-awaited sale and hopefully walk away with some equity intact.

2.  Too Big for Your Own Good.  You’ve grossly outgrown your current home – the house you’re in is either way too small after that 2nd or 3rd child, or an elderly parent has moved in. If you’re in a home that’s too small for your immediate – and future – needs, this is the time to consider the jump to something a bit larger. Sale prices are solid, the spring selling season is upon us, and you can take advantage of current interest rates before they start to climb.

3.  Incredible Shrinking Family.  What if you’ve recently joined empty nester club? Maybe your oldest child has headed off college, and you’ve realized it’s time to pack up that extra bedroom and ditch all that square footage. Selling now and downsizing has many perks – lower costs and less cleaning and maintence, to name a few – so go for it, and take advantage of a move that enhances your new lifestyle.

4.  Interest Rates Could Light a Fire.  Interest rates aren’t going anywhere but up, so if you’re wondering when it would be the best time to get a good mortgage for a new home once you’ve sold your old one, the answer is NOW. Rates are at historic lows and aren’t likely to go anywhere but north in the foreseeable future. Sell now, buy, and get in on those low rates for the long term.

5.  Sell When You Need to, Don’t Chase the Market.  When it comes to selling advice, the bottom line is: List when you need to. If you really need to sell your current home for a specific reason, including job changes, divorce, children, health issues, marriage, etc., don’t try and chase the market in either direction. When you sell and subsequently buy another house, there’s good news: if you’re selling low, then you’ll be buying low. And if you’re selling high, well, then you’ll be buying high. It’s a wash. Come to terms with the current market, and sell your home for its current fair-market value. And when you move on, be sure to buy a house you can afford, both now and in the future!