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/
4. National Association of Senior
Move Managers - https://www.nasmm.org
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