People may consider selling their homes during a down market because of some life change, perhaps an employment/marital change or the desire to pull equity from their original investment in the property. If you have owned the house for a long time, and wish to monetize the equity in the house, it may be the time to sell. However, in thinking of your home as a long-term investment, some would argue it is best to wait out market cycles, and sell when prices are high or higher than they currently are. Each individual seller must evaluate his tolerance for losses, target for gains, and appetite for risk, and decide the best time to sell.