I have had listings in the past where some buyers will come through and say the place is a perfect fit for them and just what they need.  The problem they run across is the overwhelming thought of how to downsize from where they are at.  Clearing the clutter, what to do with it, how much will be they be able to afford after they sell…the list goes on.  I completely understand all of that stress and thought I’d put together a post addressing some of the benefits of downsizing and how to overcome the stress of the next steps.

I probably don’t need to go too in depth on the benefits of downsizing but here are some major advantages.

• More Financial Freedom:  Moving into a smaller house frees up extra money.  Your utilities won’t be as high, maintenance costs will lower, and your mortgage payment will most likely be significantly lower.  You can now spend that money on enhancing your life with things you enjoy.
• Being Free From Clutter:  Downsizing does force you to declutter and get rid of some items that have been sitting there for years.  It helps you get the tough questions out of the way of what to do with items you’ve held onto forever.  As hard as this process can be, it is freeing once it’s complete.  Entering your new home knowing what you’re bringing into it are the necessary items you need and want to have.
• Time Saved:  With a smaller house, you will be spending less time on maintaining a large home.  The extra rooms not being used that you had to clean, the yard maintenance, and any extra items like a pool that maybe you just don’t want anymore.  That all adds up to a lot of time spent either physically maintaining it or time spent on coordinating services to complete it.
• Comfort:  You might be in a place where going up and down flights of stairs everyday simply is not comfortable for you anymore.  Downsizing allows you the flexibility to choose a new home that fits your physical needs.

So if this all sounds amazing to you but you have no clue where to start, here are some next steps to consider.

• Start Decluttering:  If you are thinking about moving, starting to clean out your current home and decluttering is a great first step.  Decluttering is important for a couple reasons.  1) Knowing what you can get rid of and what you want to keep helps you figure out what size house you will want to downsize to.  2) Preparing it for selling- a decluttered house gets sold faster and for a higher price.  
  • If the thought of this seems overwhelming, there are many companies or helpers that can assist you with decluttering/organizing.  Contact me for local recommendations.
  • If you want to start decluttering on your own, start small and room by room.  Maybe it’s a closet or a room that doesn’t get used that much.  Breaking it down into sections will help it not feel so overwhelming.
• Contact a Real Estate Agent:  This is an important next step as it will help you figure out what your house could sell for and ultimately, what houses to downsize into.  Your agent can price out your current home and help prioritize projects/repairs to get top dollar or discuss the process of selling as is.  From there, you’ll know better what you can afford and the areas that will best suit you.
  • During this process it’s important to figure out your desired floor plan and rooms you absolutely need/want.

There are several more tips and tricks encompassed in decluttering, preparing your home for selling, and looking for your next home but these general next steps is what you’ll want to be thinking about.