By Alice Robertson  alice@tidyhome.info

Downsizing to a smaller home has become a popular way to save money or ensure safety for individuals with mobility issues, but it does come with a lot to consider. Planning for the costs, preparing your home to sell, and making sure the new place meets all your needs will take some time, so it’s important to start early and cover all the bases. This brief guide can get you started with the downsizing process, make it a success, and avoid common mistakes, courtesy of Martin Properties.

Don’t forget to plan for your pets

Downsizing with pets requires a two-pronged approach: ensuring their safety and comfort, and preparing your home for potential buyers so they won’t know an animal lives there. Thoroughly cleaning your home is the first step. Remove pet hair and odors by cleaning furniture and other fabrics, or have them professionally cleaned. Get rid of any evidence of a pet, such as photos or litter boxes, and set up a safe spot for your animal to stay during open houses and tours, and once again on moving day. For specifics about the needs of your breed, check out this great free resource for pet lovers.

Don’t leave the decluttering for last

While cleaning your house and removing signs of an animal is imperative, it’s also important to take care of clutter and get rid of items you no longer need fairly early on. This is because a downsize will leave you less room to work with, meaning you’ll have to rethink which things you hold onto. Leaving this process for last will only bring you stress, so tackle it as soon as possible and create a plan for each item, such as donating to a local charity, reselling on an app, or throwing it away. This will ensure that you’re nice and organized by moving day.

Don’t rush it

Downsizing takes a bit more consideration than a run-of-the-mill move, and decluttering is only one aspect. You also have to think about how a smaller space might affect your lifestyle, your health, and your mental wellness. Consider looking for organizational tools and furniture that will help you maximize your new space, as well as how you’ll handle things like working from home, or taking care of family responsibilities. Creating these plans now will allow you to make healthy choices for yourself and your loved ones.

Don’t underestimate the cost

Paying for a move–even a downsize–can be costly without a solid plan for your finances. Mortgages can vary, so look into the advantages of the different types. For example, what is a conforming loan? It’s complicated, but the short answer is that it’s seen as a “safer” loan by the financial industry, one that might attract investors. For your purposes, it’s likely to have a lower interest rate. With a conforming loan, everyone’s happy. 

While considering how the move will affect your lifestyle, think of some ways to maximize your funds and keep them on track, remembering that sometimes moving to a smaller space means trading one cost for another. For instance, your utility bills may go down, but depending on the neighborhood you choose, you might have HOA fees to worry about. 

Making a move to a smaller place is often hugely beneficial, but only when it’s done correctly. Avoid these mistakes and give yourself plenty of time to prepare, especially when it comes to decluttering and planning for the new space. And when you’re ready to list, connect with the experts at Martin Properties. You can count on an awesome real estate experience!

Photo via Pexels

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