Senior-Friendly Guide To Downsizing:
As you grow older and your kids move out, you might find yourself stuck with more space in your home than you could possibly use. Rooms that no one uses are a pain to clean, and the upkeep of a large house is not cheap, either! You might, therefore, be tempted to move to a smaller home. And we are here to help! Here is a senior-friendly guide to downsizing your home.
Involve the family:
You can share stories of mischief in your old home while planning your downsizing
A move is difficult and stressful. So, you should not be attempting it on your own! Don’t hesitate to have your kids help you. Besides, involving them will not be burdensome or annoying. You are moving out of your old home, a home your children probably grew up in, and both you and they deserve to say proper goodbyes to it. Also, apart from the help they can provide you, it is essential to revisit the old memories you share of the place. It is not just a house – it was your home, and wanting to downsize does not reduce its importance.
Hire a realtor:
Keeping track of everything you need to do for your move can be tricky, even with help. Having to do all the research about home prices and other subtleties of buying a home is even harder. Therefore, you should not hesitate to look for professional help! A realtor can help you make the right offer for your home and prevent overspending, organize tours of the places you are interested in, and give legal advice on the process of buying a home.
Know what you are looking for
A flat might be a good choice if you are tired of cleaning large rooms.
It is important to know what you want from your new home even before you start looking for it! That is why you should consider the following questions so you can narrow down your search:
- What kind of home do you want? The answer might seem simple: a small one. However, there are many types to choose from! A flat, a bungalow, a small house, a place in a retirement complex, etc. It is crucial to choose a home that is right for you! Even if you do not want to visit each place you are considering, you can always send your kids to check it out for you. You would have their opinion to rely on, and you would get to spend some quality time with the grandkids while they are out! Alternatively, you can check out a virtual tour. They are admittedly not as reliable as being there in person, but they would offer you a proper gauge of the place.
- Where do you want to live? Do you want to live closer to your kids? Have you been dreaming about moving to a more temperate climate? Is there a neighborhood you have always had your eyes on? Now is the time to take your wishes into account!
- Do you want home care? It is also essential to take into account the local home care options. Your kids might not always be able to help out, so it is vital to have an alternative to fall back on if you need help urgently!
Make a floor plan
No senior-friendly guide to downsizing would be complete without a few tips on decorating a new home. And it begins with acquiring a floor plan and asking your kids to head out to the place and measure it. That way, you will know how much space you have to work with. Then, you can figure out how much of your furniture and possessions you can take with you.
Do not think you can make do without this step! If you overestimate how many of your possessions you can bring along, it can result in having to throw something away on the spot. Also, there is no need to pay for the transport of these items, only to discard them. Remember, moving companies charge by the weight of the load, and the distance traveled.
The opposite is just as bad. Think about having thrown away a piece of furniture you love only to find out you could have squeezed it into your new home! So, look at the floor plan and the measures, and figure out how you can organize your new home.
Declutter
It might seem obvious, but it is important to decide what you will be bringing with you since downsizing from a large home to a smaller one means inevitably leaving things behind. Still, this does not mean you necessarily have to throw away all of your precious memories you have no space for. Photos of your children and grandchildren and drawings they made as kids can be digitized and preserved that way. Important antiques and items passed down for generations can be handed to your children. Just make sure to be decisive! Allow yourself only three categories: items you will keep, items you will pass on, and items you are throwing out! If you are unsure whether you can be objective about what you should keep, ask your family for help or look up guides on decluttering for seniors.
Hire a good moving company
A good moving company will have your things transferred to your new home quickly and efficiently!
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A moving company can make the whole process either incredibly easy or hellishly difficult. You do not want your things damaged, mishandled, or even lost! Not to mention the chance of getting ripped off or having the day of your move delayed. This is why you should first research the moving companies you are considering! Check out reviews by previous customers or ask for referrals to people they recently helped move. An online review can maybe be faked, but talking to someone who has experienced a move with them is bound to offer reliable information! And a trustworthy company will not hesitate to provide you with some referrals because they have nothing to hide.
This is supposed to be a special day for you. After all, a new chapter of your life is about to begin. Residential moves aren’t difficult and strenuous with the right help. Therefore, you want to hire a moving company that will allow you to embark on this journey without any bigger issues. Thus, in order to ensure a stress-free transfer to your new home, do not hesitate to do whatever necessary.
Final advice
No matter what, you should not rush any part of the process of downsizing your home! It is crucial to get everything right and to your liking. There is no point in a house that does not feel like home. And it is not possible to make a home out of a place you are not satisfied with! So, take your time; rushing your decisions is a way to make mistakes. And we hope our senior-friendly guide to downsizing will help you make the right choices.
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If you are looking to downsize your home and aren’t sure how to go about it, don’t worry. Join us for our Senior-friendly guide to downsizing!
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