Selling first can be a blank canvas. Many clients plan a “try-out year” with three four-month stays: spring near Takoma’s porches, summer by New England water, winter in the desert sun. Renting—rather than buying immediately—protects you from snap decisions and lets you compare how life actually feels on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Build a simple rubric: walkability (errands within 10–15 minutes), access to healthcare, and “third places” like libraries and cafés where community forms. In DC, that might be Eastern Market’s Peregrine Espresso hum, Bloomingdale’s vine-draped Big Bear Café patio, or Takoma’s plant-filled Lost Sock—each with its own cadence. Peregrine EspressoBig Bear CafeLost Sock Roasters

Treat the year as research, not limbo. Take notes on daily costs, transit, noise, and how easily you meet new friends. By the end, your “must-haves” will be field-tested—so your next lease or purchase fits the life you want now.

Contact Sell My Parents house today to discuss your real estate needs!