If you want less upkeep without giving away leverage, the recent pace matters.
If you are thinking about simplifying your next move, the real question is whether this is a market where you can sell with confidence and still buy carefully. My answer is yes, but only if you sequence both sides of the move before you make the first commitment.
Recent conditions in Fullerton, CA still favor sellers, with 1.35 months of supply and offers averaging 101.2% of asking. A typical sale also took 15 days over the previous 30 days, which tells me you may not have much time to figure out your next step once your current home attracts serious interest.
For anyone trying to reduce space, upkeep, or monthly stress, speed can work for you or against you. In Fullerton, CA, the stronger side of your move may be the sale, so I would plan around that advantage instead of assuming you can solve the purchase details later.
Decide first whether you need proceeds from your current home before buying. Identify the home features you want to keep and the ones you are ready to let go of. Build a sale timeline that protects your next move, not just your list date.
