I got out in April 2004. My house sold in three weeks at full listing price, and I don’t care if I could have made 20% or so more “appreciation” by waiting two years. Balance that against the tens of thousands of dollars I have saved in the last two years by renting instead of owning – factoring in not just the mortgage, but the homeowner’s insurance, taxes, cost of the sale, improvements, etc.

I was also able to take a large portion of the gain and reinvest it elsewhere, which increased the gain’s value over two years. On a purely financial level, I made more by selling early than waiting.

There is something to be said, too, for peace of mind. I have never been happier than in the last two years, because I didn’t have the albatross of an unsold house and wondering if “now was the time to sell?” or “should I have sold last month?” or “should I sell in two months?” Selling is stressful – especially in a declining market!

Quality of life and being happy is more important to me than “perfect” timing.