If you're not under pressure to sell, test your decision by considering factors such as:

• Financial impact
  It costs thousands of dollars to sell a property and relocate-often as much as 15 percent of the sales price of your home by the time you count the real estate commission, closing fees, and moving costs. The less equity you have in the house, the greater the financial hit. It pays to run the numbers before you sell.
  
• Timing
  Consider the timing of your sale relative to the market and to your home equity. A slow market may negatively affect your sale. And if your equity is low, you could end up bringing cash to the closing to pay off your lender. The more equity you have in your home, the better equipped you are to cover your sales costs.
  
• Tax consequences
  Though capital gains tax laws have relaxed to the point where most Americans don't have to pay tax on real estate profits, you will likely have to pay if you've lived in your home only a short time. Make sure you know where you stand.
  
• Alternatives to selling
  If you're selling to get away from crime, troublesome neighbors, or because you want more space, do a reality check. A look at crime statistics may show you're safer than you would be in a new neighborhood; a tall fence could shield you from neighbors. And remodeling your current home could give you the extra room you want.