Santa Cruz Real Estate News & Information

For recent retirees or empty nesters, the idea of downsizing may seem as exciting as it is daunting. For starters, you will have less to maintain and clean, giving you more time to enjoy your retirement and relax. Additionally, downsizing often means moving to a more modern home, which also results in reduced energy bills and fewer repairs over the years. For retirees on a fixed income, this is vital.

One of the negative aspects of downsizing is the stress involved. For many homeowners, they have lived in their family homes for decades, so going through everything for a move can be overwhelming and unpleasant.

If you’re wondering how to downsize into a smaller home, here are some of our best tips and tricks that will give you more confidence downsizing your home with style:

Make a Wish List

Downsizing your home for retirement often requires getting rid of a lot of material things. The simple fact is that you won’t be able to fit 30 or 40 years of belongings into a smaller house. One of the best ways to get started is to create a wish list of items you can’t live without. That way, when it comes time to start getting rid of things, you already have an idea of the few important items that need to stay.

Plan in Advance

We all have items in our home that we don’t use. Instead of waiting until the last minute to get rid of things that are simply gathering dust, why not move them out of your house a few months in advance? Getting these items out of the way before you start packing will make things easier and give you a better idea of how much stuff you actually plan to bring with you.

Donate, Don’t Throw Away

Sure, there may be some items that need to be thrown in the garbage when you’re downsizing to a new home; however, there are many items in your home that could be donated instead. First offer your unwanted belongings to family members and then start making trips to local charities and donation drives.

Auctioning off expensive items is also another great way to make a little extra money for the move while getting rid of items you no longer have any use for.

Get a Floor Plan

Before moving into your new home, it’s a good idea to get copies of a floor plan with the dimensions of the rooms. That way, you can plan the décor and furniture placement before the big day. This is incredibly fun, but it will also help you decide which furniture pieces you should bring with you and which you should get rid of before moving.

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is true when it comes to planning your move. By being thorough and objective, you can easily organize your belongings and make sure your move goes off without a hitch.

For downsizing advice and answers to all your real estate questions, call 800-226-4717 today and speak with the experts at My Santa Cruz Real Estate.