Downsizing your home can be a smart move for people looking to save money, get rid of unused space, or for those seeking a simpler life. Sometimes, a large home can be too much to handle, and moving into a smaller space can solve these issues. To help you with the process, here are four tips you should follow when downsizing your home.
Consider Your Goals
Before you start the physical process of downsizing, you should first determine why you want to downsize and what your goals are from the move. Are you downsizing to save money? Get rid of unneeded space? Change your lifestyle? BlueMatch can help you save thousands in the process of selling your home, so if part of your goal is to save money in the process, consider using our proven services when selling.
Downsizing can be a fresh start, so put some thought into what you want to achieve with this new change and how you will get there. Evaluating your goals will make the process of downsizing much more manageable and efficient later on. This will also help you determine what items will and won’t fit into your new lifestyle.
Create a Plan
Once you’ve decided to downsize, planning ahead is essential. Create an organized plan and timeline to make sure all necessary tasks are completed.
You should start planning at least three months before you move so you have enough time to prepare. After all, you need to search for and buy a new home, sell your current home, and pack up all of your belongings. This is a lot to accomplish and definitely can’t be pushed back until the last minute! Both buying and selling can feel overwhelming at times so it’s important to work with professionals who can assist you with this process. BlueMatch has helped several clients successfully both sell and purchase their next home and line things up to alleviate stress. We can help with the planning process, so you can focus on other parts of the process.
Make sure to look at your schedule and plan your downsizing tasks accordingly. Take things day by day and split up tasks when you have some free time. To make things easier, dedicate a few hours each week to start organizing your home and going through your items to be more efficient.
While you’re planning, also consider the size of your new house and what you can actually fit there. For instance, if you’re downsizing from a three bedroom house to a one bedroom house, you don’t need extra bed frames and mattresses. Anticipating small details like this will help you be much more productive while you’re downsizing.
Declutter
A vital part of the downsizing process is decluttering your home and getting rid of unnecessary items. This can be difficult, especially if you’ve accumulated a lot of objects over the years, but decluttering is a crucial task now that you’re moving into a smaller home.
When examining your belongings, determine what items make you happy or have a sentimental value. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used something for a year, get rid of it. If you’re worried about these items going to waste, donate them to a local charity or gift them to friends or family. You can also try selling your unused items online or holding a garage sale to make some extra money.
While decluttering, also avoid buying new items. It might be tempting to purchase new objects with the excitement of moving into a new home, but this will just create more hassle. The whole aim in downsizing is living in a smaller space, so hold back on shopping for now. If you move in and realize you have a genuine need for certain items, then go ahead and buy them later on.
Prepare Your Home to Sell
One of the most important steps in downsizing is getting your current home ready to sell so you can properly move on. It can be easy to neglect this step when you’re busy preparing to downsize but this is something you should dedicate time to.
To make downsizing as stress-free as possible, make sure your home is in the best condition to sell. This includes doing a deep cleaning of windows, floors, and furniture, depersonalizing the decor, and decluttering. Luckily, you probably did most of these things while preparing to downsize, so you’re already on the right track!
Depending on the condition of your current home, it also may be wise to do some home improvement or renovation projects to make your space more appealing to buyers. If your home needs any repairs, make sure to get those fixed before your home goes on the market and ensure everything is up to date. It also might be worth investing in larger renovation projects to expedite the selling process and boost the resale value of your home. You definitely don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling your home after you’re settling into your new space, so these improvements can ensure you sell your home quickly.
While these projects are beneficial, they can quickly add up. If you need some extra money to fund these improvements, consider getting a home equity loan for help. This is a great financing option for home improvement projects because you receive the payment in one lump sum and can deduct the taxes for home improvements. Don’t forget about any cash you made from selling unwanted items, too!
Conclusion
Just because you’re moving into a smaller space doesn’t make moving homes any easier. Downsizing your home can be a stressful process, but as long as you take time to properly prepare, the transition should be smooth. Make sure to think ahead and you’ll be ready to enjoy your new home.
