Everyone says don't make big decisions for a year after a windfall. Does that include the house?
Answered by Chris Deutsch, Founder & Editor
Licensed Minnesota Realtor #20382264 ·
The short answer
It's a good default, not a law. The waiting-period advice exists because money this new tends to make decisions feel urgent that aren't. Nothing about a house requires the first year, and the market will still be making houses in year two.
On stage The 60-second answer
Captions on · Transcript below
The stage is set.
Chris's video answer is on its way. Until then, the short answer above says the same thing.
The transcript posts with the video.
The longer answer
But life doesn't always cooperate with clean rules — a lease ends, a parent needs you closer, the current house was always temporary. If the move has real reasons, the answer isn't waiting on principle. It's slowing the process down inside the purchase. Rent first if the next chapter isn't designed yet. Look longer than feels productive. And never buy a house to resolve the feeling of limbo. Limbo resolves on its own. A wrong house doesn't.
If it helps, use me as the unhurried voice in the room. I have no timeline for you. We move when the reasons are yours.
The next department over
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From the editor's desk
“As Founder and Editor, I review, correct, and stand behind every answer.”
Is your situation more specific than the market? That's the one worth talking through.