5 Step Strategy for Downsizing Your Home
In our “bigger is
better” culture, there’s an expectation that each home should be larger and
grander than the last. But life changes like divorce, kids leaving for college,
or even the simple act of growing older can prompt us to find a smaller home
that better suits our shifting needs and lifestyle.
In fact, the
advantages of downsizing are being increasingly recognized. A “tiny house
movement” has gained passionate advocates who appreciate the benefits of living
simply at any age and stage of life. Not only does a smaller home typically
cost less, it also takes less time and effort to maintain.1
Whatever your reasons
are for downsizing, the process can seem overwhelming. That’s why we’ve
outlined five steps to guide you on your journey. And in the end, we hope
you’ll find that less is more … more comfort, more security, and more time and
energy to spend on the activities and the people that you love.
5
STEPS
TO DOWNSIZING SUCCESS
1.
Determine
Your Goals and Limitations
The first step is to
figure out your goals for your new living environment. Do you want to live
closer to family? Are you hoping to cut down on home maintenance? Are you
looking for a community with certain amenities?
You should also
consider any limitations that will impact the home you choose. For example, are
stairs an issue? Do you need access to medical care? In the case of divorce,
are there child-custody issues you need to take into account?
Estimate how long you
plan to stay in your new home. Do you expect your needs to change during that
time?
Make a “wish list” of
features and prioritize them from most to least important. If you’d like any
assistance with this process, give us a call! We’d be happy to sit down with
you for a free consultation. We can also help you assess the value of your
current home so you can set a realistic budget for your new one.
2.
Find
the Perfect New Home
Once you’ve
established your “wish list,” we can begin the search for your new home. As
local market experts, we know the ins and outs of all the top communities in
our area. We can help you determine the neighborhood and type of home that will
best fit your wants and needs.
From family
neighborhoods to retirement communities, we serve clients in all stages of
life. If you or a loved one are in need of extended support, we can also share
our knowledge of the assisted living facilities in town and help you identify
those that offer the optimal level of care.
Are you planning to
relocate out of town? We can refer you to a trusted real estate professional in
your target area who can help you with your search.
3.
Sell
Your Current Home
If you’re ready to
sell your current home, we’ll begin the process of preparing to list it as we
search for your new one.
We have a special
interest in helping homeowners who are facing major life transitions, and we
offer a full-service real estate experience that aims to remove as much of the
stress and hassle of selling your home as possible. We also understand that
many of our clients choose to downsize for financial reasons, so we employ
tactics and strategies to maximize the potential sales revenue of your home.
We do this by
employing our proven three-part approach, which focuses on optimum preparation,
pricing, and promotion. As part of that plan, we invest in an aggressive
marketing strategy that utilizes online and social media platforms to connect
with consumers and offline channels to connect with local real estate agents.
This ensures your property gets maximum exposure to prospective buyers.
4.
Sort
and Pack Your Belongings
Even before you find
your new home, you can begin preparing for your move. A smaller home means less
space for your furniture and other possessions, so you will need to decide what
to keep and what to sell or donate. Sorting through an entire house full of
belongings will take time, so begin as early as possible.
Parting with personal
possessions can be an extremely emotional process. Start with a small,
unemotional space like a laundry or powder room and work your way up to larger
rooms. Focus on eliminating duplicates and anything you don’t regularly use. If
you have sentimental pieces, family heirlooms, or just useful items you no
longer need, think about who in your life would benefit from having them. For
large collections, consider keeping one or two favorite pieces and
photographing the rest to put in an album.2
Make sure the items
you keep help you achieve the goals you outlined in Step 1. For example, if you
want a home that’s easier to clean, cut down on knickknacks that require
frequent dusting. If you’re moving to be closer to your grandchildren, choose
the shatterproof plates over the antique china.
Allow yourself time to
take breaks if you start to feel overwhelmed. If you’re helping a loved one
with a move, try to be a patient listener if they want to stop and share
stories about particular items or memories throughout the process.3 This can be therapeutic for them and an opportunity for
you to learn family history that may otherwise have been forgotten.
5.
Get
Help When You Need It
Moving is stressful in
any situation. But if you’re downsizing due to health issues or a major life
change, it can be an especially tough transition. Don’t be afraid to ask for
help.
Seek out friends and
family members who can assist with packing and decluttering. If that’s not an
option, or if you need additional help, consider hiring a home organizer,
full-service moving company, or even a senior move manager, which is a
professional who assists older adults and their families with the physical and
emotional aspects of relocation.4 You can find one
accredited by the National Association of Senior Move Managers at https://www.nasmm.org/find/index.cfm.
If financial
constraints are holding back, let us know. We can help you explore the
possibility of tapping into the equity in your current home now. That way you
can afford to get the assistance you need to make your transition as smooth as
possible.
ARE YOU LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE?
If your current home
no longer suits your needs, maybe it’s time to consider a change. We would love
to help you explore your options. Contact us today to schedule a free,
no-obligation consultation.
Sources:
1.
The Tiny Life –
https://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/
2.
My Move –
https://www.mymove.com/moving/senior-guide-downsizing/
3.
Daily Caring –
https://dailycaring.com/5-tips-to-downsizing-for-seniors-keepsakes-mementos/
4.
National Association
of Senior Move Managers –
https://www.nasmm.org