I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to do. I'm a retired real estate agent (buyer's agent).
Life is short. Relatively speaking. If you MUST get out of your house because you can't afford it that's one thing. But if you're going to try to replace it with something that costs more money - this is what I don't get. So I'm gonna go with relocation is necessary.
My advice? Figure out what you REALLY want to do. Then figure if you can afford to do that and do other things too (like travel). A house is an asset. It should serve you (not the other way around). The property doesn't have the memories - you do. I'm guessing you have already decided to sell but are now second-guessing yourself (perfectly understandable). Why? Try to 'trust your gut' on this one regarding selling. Don't let ANY real estate agent 'beat you up' regarding price, terms, if you should sell, etc. Best way to do that is to be very upfront and honest with the agents and then pick the one you can tolerate (and seems to understand your vision). In Ohio (where I am licensed), the agents never make any decisions for their clients (not allowed by law - although some clients asked their agent what they would do and then they do that). Sellers decide to lower their price (or raise it). Sellers decide to take an offer, reject it or counteroffer. Unless you get a full price offer (per your listing agreement) and not offering any concessions to buyer (unless that's in your listing contract) you would owe no commission if you don't sell. Yes - you'll get the reputation that you won't budge and it could be harder later to find an agent to work with. But probably not. Sellers who won't/don't budge on anything are considered 'difficult' by agents and buyers alike. In the end, you have to do what is best for you. I often say that if a seller rejects an offer or counteroffers, they have sorta re-purchased their own house back for what they are at price-wise. If you're okay with that (not just hoping for a better offer but truly rejecting a current offer) then you live with that.
BTW, even though it seems like the seller is paying the commission to the agents, the buyer is actually paying it - by paying whatever price is agreed on. It's just coming out of the seller's proceeds. I used to get in trouble with my broker for saying that. The buyer pays for everything. It's just that the seller has agreed to allow their proceeds to be diminished by some of the costs to make it more attractive to the buyer on paper. Potato, po- tah-toe. Ask whichever agent you pick to prepare a 'net sheet' to show you what you will net after costs of selling (commissions, fees, etc.) You really don't care what the percentage is - just the net proceeds. A higher rate will generally generate more 'traffic' (i.e. it will be shown more). Most people in Ohio will pay a certain percent on the first $100K then a lower percent on the remainder. Commissions are all negotiable when you're listing.
Another BTW - whatever you have into it - doesn't matter. If you bought the place for $50K (just throwing example numbers out here), spent $100K over the years then expect to get your money out of it when the market says different - too bad. BUT, using the same thinking, if the market says the house is worth $500K you wouldn't expect to just get what you have into it - you'd want what the market says it's worth. Same rule applies for 'below what you have into it'. Market dictates.
After we get past the rental we will be forced to live in for awhile, it will be really hard to find something to buy- especially in NH- with the quality of what we have now, in our price point.
It's like we did all this work (and $$) these past few years and have been enjoying the fruits of our labor and now will be giving them up.
Meanwhile, a buyers agent in NH just sent me an email and said she has sold 4 homes in the community we want to buy in and they are almost built out which we know.