4 Practical Ways To Downsize To A Smaller Home

As a homeowner, you may be planning to downsize due to the need for a simpler life or to reduce your expenses. Perhaps, all the kids have left, and you don’t want to deal with the loneliness of an empty nest. Regardless of your reason, downsizing is a big deal. Your lifestyle and financial situation will reflect the changes; 62% of homeowners said cutting costs was a major advantage to look forward to. Before you delve into your plans, consider these tips to make the process a stress-free success.  

1. Make a list of your belongings

Everyone is somehow guilty of owning more than what they need, and this can be a problem if you are moving to a smaller home. The last thing you would want is to deal with clutter and space problems. Therefore, make it a point to create a room-by-room inventory list. But here’s the catch- you will definitely be surprised by how many duplicates you have, such as the additional non-stick pan you received as a gift a few years ago and the popcorn popper you have not used in years. There is an upside to this, though; you can choose to give them to those who need them and feel the joy of charity. Or, you can make extra cash from selling them.

2. Let go of unneeded furnishings

Every home, even a little one, needs furniture to make life more comfortable. But your current ones may not cut it because of their size. Well, there is no need to panic- you can sell them for a good price online and use the money for more appropriate furniture. 

3. Be particular about storage

Smaller homes are great and all, but they don’t do well in the storage department. How, then, do you manage if you have a lot of stuff? External storage is your best bet. As a tip, Thankfully, moving companies also provide this service, so feel free to patronize them. Make sure they have climate-controlled storage to protect items that may be susceptible to harsh weather conditions. 

4. Take your time.

Yeah, you may think you have all the time, but moving day can creep up on you quickly. Then comes the rushing and the stress. You wouldn’t want this, so focus on one room at a time. Make it a point to seek help from relatives or friends if you are downsizing due to a spouse’s demise. It can be particularly difficult to decide what to keep when you are still mourning 

Admittedly, downsizing may not be your favorite, especially if you are used to large houses. But give it a chance-you may find it a freeing and financially responsible choice. And you won’t be alone; many homeowners discover downsizing has more advantages than problems. However, you would need to invest in good planning because you do not want to lose or give up the things you value most. Hopefully, these tips will help you achieve the desired outcome.

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