The Top 7 Mistakes Move-Up Buyers Make (and How You Can Avoid Them)Move in Central Ohio—and How to Do It Right

Are you thinking about upgrading your lifestyle, your space, or your neighborhood? You might be what we call a move-up buyer—and this post is just for you.

What Is a Move-Up Buyer?

A move-up buyer is someone who already owns a home but is ready to transition into a property that better suits their evolving lifestyle. Maybe your kids have moved out. Maybe your career has grown and you’re ready for more amenities. Maybe you want less upkeep and more enjoyment.

Whatever the reason, the move-up journey is exciting—but it’s also filled with pitfalls if you’re not careful.

As a Central Ohio Realtor who’s helped dozens of move-up buyers successfully navigate this process, here are the top 7 mistakes I see—and how you can avoid them.

1. Waiting Too Long to Start Prepping Your Current Home

• What to Do Instead:
  Even if you’re not ready to list tomorrow, it’s never too early to start the prep work. Decluttering, light repairs, curb appeal, and staging all take time—and doing them early relieves a ton of stress later.

2. House Hunting Before Getting Preapproved

• What to Do Instead:
  It’s tempting to browse listings and fall in love with the “next one”—but without preapproval, you’re shopping blind. Know your numbers first so you can make confident, competitive offers when the time comes.

3. Underestimating the Market Timing

• What to Do Instead:
  Many move-up buyers try to time their sale and purchase perfectly—but markets don’t always move in sync. I help you craft a flexible strategy: whether that means buying contingent, using a bridge loan, or negotiating a rent-back.

4. Skipping the Equity Review

• What to Do Instead:
  You’ve likely built substantial equity in your current home—but do you know exactly how much? Before listing or shopping, let’s do a full equity analysis so we can maximize your down payment power. This is more than just getting online estimate. I once had a client who's online estimate was overstated by $200,000.

5. Assuming “Smaller” Means “Cheaper”

• What to Do Instead:
  Many buyers want to downsize square footage but upgrade lifestyle—think luxury finishes, new builds, walkable neighborhoods. That doesn’t always come cheap. Let’s talk about budget, priorities, and where you can get the most value.

6. Thinking You Have to Do It All Yourself

• What to Do Instead:
  Move-up buyers often feel overwhelmed by the thought of managing both transactions. My full-service approach includes a project plan, weekly updates, and a network of trusted pros to handle organizing, packing, repairs, staging, and more. You’re not doing this alone.

7. Leaving Money on the Table—Twice

• What to Do Instead:
  This is the big one. You don’t want to overpay on the buy side or miss out on money when you sell. I bring expert-level negotiation and a sharp eye for pricing strategy to help you win on both ends.

Bottom Line: Move Up, The Smart Way

Your next home isn’t just about square footage. It’s about lifestyle. Freedom. Fun. Community. Efficiency. And yes—getting a great deal on both sides of the transaction.

Let’s avoid the common mistakes and make this a move you’ll feel confident and excited about.