Five Tips When Downsizing Your Home
There are many reasons why you may have decided to move and downsize your home. Some people may decide to move because their children have grown up and moved away from home, thus eliminating the need for so many bedrooms and so much space. Lifestyles and subsequently, budgets may change over time and you may need to downsize out of necessity.
Regardless of the reasons for moving into a smaller home, planning for this type of change in your life can seem overwhelming. Here are some tips to help make your downsizing transition a lot smoother.
Take Measurements
When you have built your life in one home, it can be challenging to make it all fit into a smaller space. The most important task is to think carefully about your new space and consider how you are going to move your belongings. Taking measurements of your new space and the items you wish to take with you will help you determine exactly what will fit appropriately in your new space – making the decluttering process much easier. When planning your move, always consider the largest items first, like furniture, appliances, bedroom sets, etc., and how they might fit (or not) into the new space. This will give you a better idea of which items should stay or go – regardless of their size.
De-Clutter Early
You are moving into a smaller home, so you may not have as much space for all your belongings. The decluttering process can take up a substantial amount of time, so starting early is always a good idea. This will prevent you from rushing through the process in the weeks prior to your move and accidentally disposing of items you wished to keep, misplacing items, and feeling overwhelmed. While sorting through clutter, take the opportunity to get rid of duplicates or extras when it comes to bins, dishes, décor, etc. You should also begin by organizing these items into piles or boxes for keeping, donating, or discarding. Try to imagine how you plan to use the item and where you plan to store it in your new home. Another way to help you declutter is by following the six-month rule: If you haven’t used the item in the last six months, get rid of it.
Organize Into Categories
Categorizing the different rooms and parts of the home can help you to organize things better when downsizing. Make an inventory of your items and define where they will go in your new home. Start working through spaces or wardrobes that are likely to take several hours. Make a list or label the items or boxes for each room of your new home and make sure to separate your delicate items. This is one of the downsizing tips that can help you to stay more organized and arrange your items easily once you have moved.
Look at the Benefits of Downsizing
If you’re feeling unsure about downsizing your home, consider your goal for downsizing and the benefits that will come as a result of doing so. For example, many people who downsize are able to take advantage of lower utility bills or save time on cleaning a large home. Smaller homes can feel cozier and can be easier to maintain. Considering the benefits to your lifestyle can help you to better prepare for the move and feel more positive about relocating to a smaller home.
Talk to Other People
You can get plenty of downsizing tips by talking to other people who have been through the process before. If you’re moving to a new community, explore whether you can speak to any of the residents before you move and get some downsizing tips from anyone who moved from a larger home. Once you’ve moved into your new home, make friends with your neighbors and share your concerns to see whether they might have some downsizing tips to help you settle in. As well as helping you feel more connected to your new community, you might get some brilliant ideas and downsizing tips that can help you now and in the future.
Taking Steps to Move to Your New Home
Finding the right home when downsizing can be difficult, but if you have a clear understanding of your desired lifestyle and your needs, the whole process will be much easier. Consider a community like North River Ranch near Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida, where you can make the most of a range of amenities, lifestyles and create long-lasting connections within your neighborhood. Located in Parrish, Florida, this award-winning community offers a variety of new construction homes, from single-family residences to townhomes and villas – all sizes and a wide range of starting prices.
About Neal Land & Neighborhoods
Neal Land & Neighborhoods is a Manatee and Sarasota, Florida-based community and master land planning and development organization led by John A. Neal. The company incorporates smart master-planning and public infrastructure solutions to create the next level of elite community planning in Southwest Florida. By working with carefully selected new home builders, Neal Land & Neighborhoods aims to establish thriving, sustainable, livable, and ecologically sensitive communities throughout Manatee, Sarasota, and Hillsborough counties. Neal Land & Neighborhoods currently owns or controls several thousand acres of land entitled for more than 9,000 future residential homes and the supporting mixed-use commercial and retail. For additional information, visit www.nealland.com.