Years ago, real estate agents coined the term “starter home” to describe homes perfectly suited for small families and newlyweds. While these small homes may be ideal for couples or families just starting out in life, they often become too small as children are born, furniture is added, and so on.

Whether you're feeling cramped, running out of storage space, or simply need a breath of fresh air, the real estate market is flooded with opportunities for families in need of extra space or people ready to relocate. If you’ve been pondering trading in your current home for a new address, these tell-tale signs may mean it’s time for a change of scenery:

1. Growing Family

Across America, the most common reason for families outgrowing their homes is the addition of new children. A home that seemed perfect for a couple of newlyweds can easily begin bursting at the seams when a few children come along. If the bedrooms have filled up and toys have taken over the kitchen and family room, it may be time to upgrade to a larger home.

2. You’re Aging

Outgrowing your home doesn’t always necessarily mean you need more room. Sometimes you can outgrow your home in other ways as well. As couples age and children leave the home to begin their own lives, a home that was once just the right size can become too large and difficult to maintain. Many of today’s empty nesters are choosing to downsize into a more comfortable space that will stretch their retirement dollars.

3. Too Much Furniture & Not Enough Space for Things

As families grow, so do their furniture collections. In addition to acquiring more furniture over time, many of today’s families are opting for larger, over-sized pieces of furniture as well. Having many large furniture pieces that take up too much space ultimately makes a home feel cramped and too small. This causes people to search for a larger home to accommodate their belongings and supply them with added storage space.

4. New Pets

Dogs may be “man’s best friend,” but they also require a lot of room, both inside and out. Getting a new dog typically requires a decent-sized backyard, which may have not been a factor when you originally purchased your home. Having pets and accommodating their needs may require the purchase of a larger home with more backyard space.

5. Frequent Entertaining

Any family that likes to regularly entertain considers this factor when purchasing a home. However, as families grow and end up hosting large holiday parties for the first time, the need for more space immediately becomes evident. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you may be finding out that your home doesn’t share your same sense of hospitality.

6. You’ve Outgrown Your Home. Now What?

These are some of the most common reasons why a once ideal home can begin feeling cramped, but every family has different needs. Getting smaller furniture or hiring a storage specialist might be an option, but when the walls start closing in, it may be a sign that you've outgrown your home. Find a local real estate agent and start searching for a new home today!