After multiple years of intense rivalry among homebuyers competing for property in popular neighborhoods, the news is mostly favorable for purchasers. A gradual increase in inventory means more available homes. This, coupled with unexpectedly low mortgage rates, has brought a degree of relief for those who seek homeownership.

But housing analysts say wannabe owners from the current generation of millennials are extremely thoughtful when selecting a property. Rather than pick a “starter home” where they could live for just a couple of years before trading up, more young families now aspire to a place where they could remain indefinitely.

“These days, even people with very little children are shopping for a neighborhood that offers more than a good elementary school. They’re also looking for a strong high school their kids could attend years into the future,” says Eric Tyson, a personal finance expert and co-author of “Home Buying for Dummies”.

That’s because it’s becoming increasingly

costly to move frequently.

“Remember, when you sell a house, you pay commissions to a real estate agent. In addition, there are transfer taxes and charges. Beyond that, there are moving costs, which alone can be ruinous to a budget,” Tyson says.

At the national level, U.S. home values fell slightly from March to April, the first month-over-month decline since February 2012, according to Skylar Olsen, the director of economic research for Zillow, a Seattle-based firm that tracks real estate markets throughout the country.

Olsen cautions against drawing conclusions about a one-month change in home values. Still, she says the statistic should serve as a reminder to buyers that values don’t always rise.

“It’s too early to say if we’ve hit another home-value peak and are at the beginning of a sustained downturn, or if this is just a bump in the road,” Olsen says.

Is your family hoping to buy a place where you could afford to live for years to come? If so, these few pointers could help:

-- Assess the costs of commuting from a distant suburb.

You might be enamored of a very spacious and reasonably priced house in an outlying area. But how much would it cost you and your spouse to commute from that distant location?

Too few prospective buyers anticipate their commuting costs down the road, says Christopher Leinberger, who chairs the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis at George Washington University.

If possible, he encourages buyers from dual-income households to look for a property from which at least one spouse could walk to work or commute by public transit. That way, the household could slim down to a single vehicle, saving lots of cash in the process.

-- Factor in the utility costs for a large home.

“Anyone who hasn’t noticed rising utility costs has been sleepwalking through the last decade,” says James W. Hughes, a professor and housing analyst at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He urges buyers to take into account the costs of heating and cooling any place they plan to buy.

“Be sure to ask the current owners to give you two to three years’ worth of utility bills. Notice the trend, keeping in mind that energy costs will undoubtedly keep rising,” Hughes says.

-- Remember upkeep expenses.

If you buy a brand-new house from a builder with high construction standards, you can often expect relatively low repair and appliance-replacement costs for a period of five to 10 years. But chances are you’ll be less lucky if you select an older home, which could be especially expensive to maintain if it’s large.

“When you need a new roof on a big house, that’s going to be extremely costly, as would be a new cooling system. So, be sure you could handle those expenditures,” Hughes says.

He also recommends you think twice about the upkeep costs of a house with a lot of wood trim and siding, which will probably need extensive repainting every few years.

One way to gain help in approximating future upkeep costs is to be sure your home inspection is done by a well-trained inspector. One source of referrals: the American Society of Home Inspectors (ashi.org).

-- Take note of the trend in homeowner association fees.

Whether you’re planning to move to a gated community in the suburbs or a condo in an urban setting, the odds are you’ll be subject to a monthly fee to cover the costs of maintenance, security and other common expenses.

Before you commit to any property with a monthly management charge, Hughes says you should get detailed information on these charges, going back multiple years. Then examine the statistics carefully to see if inflation has been a major factor pushing up these costs. If so, he says you should assume this trend will continue in coming years.

“When you’re choosing a home, you really need to become an amateur accountant -- calculating not only your monthly mortgage payment, but also all the other costs of living there,” Hughes says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

A man in his 60s who retired from a sales job for a building supplies firm figures he’s cracked the code on an idyllic lifestyle. His secret? He acquired two small houses -- one in sunny Arizona for the winter and another in Washington state, where the summertime climate is more comfortable.

“This guy has two big passions: golf and Harley Davidsons. Every June he bikes north to escape the torrid Arizona heat. ... Then come each fall, he’s back to Arizona where he can play the rest of the year,” says Michael Crowley, a real estate broker who assisted the man with several transactions.

The golf enthusiast in this true story is thrilled with his two-house solution. Yet Crowley says it’s rare for retirees to sell a large home in favor of two retirement properties. Many simply downsize from one large place to a smaller one in a different area. Still, he says a two-house scenario is plausible for those with adequate retirement resources.

“The key is to avoid overspending on either of the two homes you buy,” says Crowley, a past president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (naeba.org).

One major advantage of the two-home strategy is that it allows retirees the potential to enjoy two different climates at advantageous times. Avoiding wintertime cold weather in favor of life in a balmy recreational area helps them stay healthier by letting them maintain their outdoor exercise routines.

“Lots of people in colder parts of the country talk about buying a home in a warmer recreational area where they can spend the winter. But after doing the math, they can’t make the numbers work. Instead of buying, they decide to rent a wintertime retreat in a warm area,” Crowley says.

Margie Casey, an experienced real estate broker based in the Florida Keys, says that wherever they choose to live, most retirees want low maintenance. Ideally, they like all exterior upkeep to be provided through a condo or homeowners’ association.

“People want the total freedom of ‘lock and leave’ homes,” says Casey, the author of “Relocate at Retirement or Not?”

Here are a few pointers for those pondering a two-home retirement:

-- First, think through the financial implications of your plan.

Casey, who reviews retirement communities on her website, realestatescorecard.com, says anyone considering two-home ownership should first discuss the financial implications with a professional adviser.

“A planner can help you calculate what you can afford and give you a second opinion on your plan,” she says.

Property taxes are also a big factor, especially if the local jurisdictions are running budgetary shortfalls and may have to raise taxes.

“Once you investigate the taxes, you may decide to live one state away from your grandchildren, assuming that lowers your cost of living,” Casey says.

-- Think through whether living in a condo would suit you.

Crowley says buyers considering the purchase of a condo should exercise caution before making this choice.

“Going from a house to a condo is a big change. It’s just personal taste, but some people always feel uncomfortable in a condo,” says Crowley, who’s worked with homebuyers since 1993.

To illustrate, he tells of a married couple he advised on the purchase of retirement property in Hawaii. The couple chose a condo development that seemed attractive. Before they concluded a purchase there, however, they rented a unit as a trial run.

“After a brief time renting, they realized they hated condo living. It felt way too crowded to them,” Crowley recalls.

Those contemplating a dual-home retirement plan should be doubly cautious about buying two condos at once.

“For Pete’s sake, don’t buy two condos if you’ve never ever tried living in an apartment. There’s too big a risk of disappointment,” Crowley says.

-- Look into your transportation options before deciding where to relocate.

Many a retiree has selected an ideal setting without taking into account airport access, which Casey considers a major mistake.

Relying on an out-of-the-way airport makes it harder to travel to distant locations for vacation or to see your children. It can also add to your air transportation bills.

“Try to live near an airport that’s a hub for one of the major carriers. That can save you a ton on air travel costs,” Casey says.

Another transportation factor to consider is proximity to major interstate roadways.

“Most retired people want to live within a two-hour drive of their grandchildren,” Casey says.

-- Temper your expectations for visits with your offspring.

Living near grandchildren is the No. 1 priority for many retirees. But Casey cautions those choosing a retirement habitat to be realistic about their expectations for how often they’ll see family, no matter how close they live.

“Your kids have busy lives. Sure, you can hope to see them often. But don’t focus your whole retirement lifestyle on seeing family. First and foremost, choose the lifestyle that works for you,” Casey says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

Tom Early, a veteran real estate broker, has a cautionary note for those seeking to sell their property in coming weeks: Make sure the place is clutter-free or expect it to languish unsold for an indefinite period.

“These days, buyers are much fussier than before,” says Early, who works solely with buyers and takes no listings.

Though all real estate trends are local, he urges sellers to take notice of the big picture, as reflected in current economic statistics. Across the nation, home sales dipped slightly in April, the latest month for which numbers are available. Meanwhile, inventories of unsold homes are increasing, especially at the upper end of the price spectrum.

At the National Association of Realtors (realtor.org), chief economist Lawrence Yun warns sellers against excessively high expectations.

“When placing their home on the market, home sellers need to be very realistic and aware of the current conditions,” Yun says.

It costs relatively little to declutter a property. But professional organizers report that many homeowners struggle with the critical need to reduce their accumulations to prep for a sale.

“One key problem is that as Americans, we’re a nation of addicted shoppers,” says Barbara Hemphill, a past president of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (napo.net).

Ironically, many people embark on an anti-clutter campaign with a shopping spree involving the purchase of many storage containers. But all those big plastic bins prove more of a hindrance than a help, according to Hemphill, who’s worked in the organizational field for more than three decades.

“Almost inevitably, those containers just get in your way,” she says.

Judith Rough, a professional organizer who runs a small firm called Carefree Transitions, urges people planning to sell their homes to halt all but the most necessary shopping.

“Remember that you’re not in the accumulating stage. You’re clearing out. That’s an entirely different frame of mind,” Rough says.

Here are a few pointers for sellers:

-- Try to assemble a team to help with the clearing process.

To fully declutter an average-sized house typically takes at least four weeks of concentrated effort. And to avoid getting bogged down with the feelings the process arouses, many people need help, Rough says.

To gain momentum, people often turn to relatives. But Rough says you’re better off with an objective third party -- ideally a professional organizer. One source for referrals is the real estate agent who will list your property.

Unfortunately, many sellers can’t afford to pay a professional organizer for numerous hours of assistance. If this is true for you, Rough suggests you limit the organizer’s help to just a few hours of planning time. Then also pay the person for a few one-hour “check-ins” on a weekly basis, during which you’ll receive a “homework” assignment for the following week.

-- Query family members on which items they wish to claim.

Many parents of grown children hang onto things they believe their offspring will wish to claim in the future. But as Rough says, “your kids will want far less of your stuff than you expect.” She suggests you ask them directly what they want to keep.

For example, she tells the true story of a client who’d retained her wedding gown for decades on the assumption that her teenage daughter would one day want to use it.

“But when the mom asked the girl if she ever planned to wear the gown, she replied that she ‘wouldn’t be caught dead in it’,” Rough recalls.

-- Take photos of valuable items that are too large or awkward to keep.

When working with clients, Hemphill often photographs entire rooms in a house she’s helping declutter -- thereby creating compact memories of these spaces.

Besides taking photos, she also recommends you retain a small box of special items from your children’s early lives --- such as clothing and toys. Still other mementos, including drawings or small pieces of sculpture, were framed or placed on display in shadow boxes.

Converting some symbolic items from your kids’ early years into art or photographs allows you to integrate them more easily into your new environment, Hemphill says.

-- Safeguard keepsakes and valuable documents.

Those who embark on a clutter control campaign are often relieved to encounter items so valuable that they cannot -- and should not -- discard them. These include birth certificates, passports and high school diplomas.

Rough suggests you encase such valuables in clear plastic sheet protectors and place them in a three-ring binder. Alternatively, you may wish to buy a storage item designed for vital records.

-- Give away extra items that are useful.

As you sift through memorabilia from your children’s lives as well as your own mementos, you’re bound to encounter many items you no longer want or need. Do you truly wish to haul all those books, toys and pieces of sports gear to the new house?

Whenever possible, Hemphill encourages you to donate serviceable items to a reputable charity you want to help. Through the years, for example, she’s taken many of her own discards to a shelter for battered women.

“There’s a lot of satisfaction in knowing that your excess inventory will be put to good use by people who really need it,” Hemphill says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)