Sometimes, your home stops fitting your life. Maybe the kids are sharing rooms. Maybe your work-from-home setup is a little too close to the laundry room. Or maybe… you’re just ready for something more.

If that sounds familiar, you might be what we call a move-up buyer—someone who’s ready to sell their current home and buy one that better fits their next chapter.

Whether you’re based in Maryville, TN, or exploring new neighborhoods in St. Petersburg, FL, this guide is for you.

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What Is a Move-Up Buyer?

A move-up buyer is typically a current homeowner who’s ready to:
✔️ Gain more space
✔️ Upgrade their lifestyle or neighborhood
✔️ Take advantage of built-up equity
✔️ Buy their “forever” or next-step home

And in 2025, more homeowners are moving up with purpose—thanks to rising home values, job flexibility, and life changes like new babies, blended families, or just wanting a home office with a door.

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How Do You Know It’s Time to Move Up?

If you’re on the fence, here are five signs it might be time:

1. Your Home Feels Cramped
That starter home served you well, but now it’s full of baby gear, growing kids, or work-from-home chaos. A bigger home isn’t just a luxury… it’s sanity.

2. You’ve Built Equity
Home prices in many areas of Tennessee and Florida have grown significantly in recent years. If you’ve owned for even 3–5 years, you might be sitting on tens of thousands in equity that could be your down payment for the next step.

3. Your Neighborhood No Longer Fits
Maybe the commute got longer. Maybe your kids need a better school zone. Maybe your priorities changed, and now you want a quieter street or a livelier downtown vibe.

4. You Want to Lock In a Long-Term Plan
When rates dipped below 4%, many buyers rushed in. But today’s rates, while higher, are still historically normal—and if you plan to stay long-term, locking in now can give you both peace of mind and a better home.

5. You’re Financially Ready
You’ve got a handle on your current mortgage, and maybe even some savings or home equity to work with. That puts you in a great position to buy confidently—and potentially negotiate with power.

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Buyer Tips for Tennessee

If you’re considering a move-up in Maryville, Knoxville, or surrounding East Tennessee towns, keep these local insights in mind:

• Inventory is tight, but not impossible. Move-up buyers often have stronger offers than first-time buyers due to equity.
• Mountain-view homes, lake homes or acreage properties are increasingly in demand, especially for families wanting space to grow.
• Timing your sale and purchase is key in this region. Many sellers are more flexible in late spring and early fall.

Whether you’re going from a 3-bed ranch to a 4-bed with land, or from a townhome to your dream farmhouse, Tennessee has options that balance lifestyle and affordability.

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Buyer Tips for Florida

Thinking of moving up in St. Pete, Tampa Bay, or along the Gulf Coast? Here’s what to know:

• Waterfront properties and pool homes are hot—but so is new construction in inland areas.
• Flood zones and insurance should always be factored in when upgrading in coastal areas.
• Equity goes far. If you’ve owned your Florida home for even a few years, you may have enough equity to move into a more desirable school zone, closer to beaches, or into a home that better fits your lifestyle.

If you’re dreaming of more outdoor space, a dedicated office, or a kitchen that doesn’t make you cringe, Florida has options, and I can help you find them.

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What About Financing?

One of the biggest questions I hear is:
“Do I have to sell my current home before I buy the next one?”

The answer is: Not always. You may be able to:
✅ Use a HELOC or HELOAN to pull equity from your current home
✅ Make a contingent offer depending on your market
✅ Get pre-approved for a new loan while prepping your current home for sale

As a licensed mortgage lender and Realtor® in both Tennessee and Florida, I can walk you through both the financing and the real estate strategy, so you’re never left guessing.

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Ready to Make the Move?

If you’ve been thinking about leveling up your lifestyle, it might be time to act. With the right plan (and the right team), your next home is well within reach.

📍 Whether you’re buying in East Tennessee or Tampa Bay, I’m here to help you every step of the way.

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Call to Action:
Let’s run the numbers on your current home and talk through your options. I can help you get pre-approved, find the right move-up home, and make the process seamless.
👉 Start here or reach out for a 1:1 move-up buyer strategy session.