It’s not uncommon for people to make downsizing in retirement a priority. The kids are grown–hopefully moved out too–and that huge house can take up so much time, energy, and money to upkeep that it’s just not worth it. Some retirees even go so far as to include the profits from the sale of their home as a part of their retirement savings, especially if they live in a hot housing market. While downsizing might sound like a great idea, that still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your research beforehand. Today’s housing market–and most likely over the next few months–is no joke and can have a huge impact on how much and how fast your home sells. Furthermore, you may have more competition than you realized for small, cheaper homes. In today’s hot market, your house may sell in days and not weeks like in the past. Many retirees don’t realize that and can be caught in an uncomfortable spot if their house sells faster than anticipated and they don’t have a back-up planned. Sure, you could rent, but that could eat into your retirement budget (rents are going up these days too!). Thus, it’s important that you have your ducks in a row when you go to sell your home. Some things you may want to look into include the market you will be selling in, the market you will be buying in, and what you need to do to get your home ready for sale. Do you want to stay in the area in which you sell? What fees, costs, and taxes are associated with the sale of a home and can you cover them? Does your house need repairs/upgrades to increase the value? These are just a few questions to start with. You may also want to speak with multiple real estate agents in the area to get an idea for what houses are going for where you live and what the market is like. Even better if you can find real estate agents who have helped other retirees sell their homes recently as they may have even more specialized advice. You may also want to speak with a certified financial planner or wealth manager to make sure you can afford the fees and costs associated with selling and buying.