Downsizing from a large to a small home is common is ideal if you are after managing your finances better. It is an ideal way to eliminate and manage expenses. However, there are possible concerns you need to address for a seamless process.
Some of the mistakes to avoid include:
- Understanding the reason for moving
Moving is one of the major projects you can take as a family. Living in a place comes with emotional attachment and familiarity that is lost when you move. Establish why you need to move and only proceed when assured it’s the best for everyone in the family.
Understanding the need to move helps you set the goals for downsizing. Your next place must resonate with whatever you seek to achieve. Otherwise, you might have resentful family members who will feel hard done by the move and for no clear reason.
- Not budgeting for the move.
While saving on expenditure is one of the main reasons for downsizing, there are moving costs to attend to. It is easier to move around researching for new places while forgetting the moving costs. You might fail to note that you need a moving company, packing and unpacking personnel and moving insurance.
Plan for all associated moving costs for the needed peace of mind. Planning also ensures safety for your property as you will hire the best moving options. Consult professional real estate agents to help you with the budget.
- Holding on clutter
Regular deep house cleaning is time-consuming; hence most homeowners tend to neglect it. They, in the process, end up having too much clutter. While they might not be as visible in a bigger house, a smaller house will look crampy when cluttered.
Go through every component of the house to determine what you need and clear the rest. Give a closer look at the garage, kitchen, and under the surfaces. Only move with useful household items. It doesn’t matter the kind of attachment you have with the property.
- Not recognizing the possible changes.
Changes in homeownership mean lifestyle changes. Unlike the bigger home where you are used to spaces for kids’ playgrounds and pet training, you might have to deal with less space. In some cases, you might have to share rooms and other household items.
These changes can be a shocker to most homeowners. Prepare psychologically and emotionally before you downsize. Understand all the possible changes that come with the move. However, the reasons for moving should come in handy to help you understand that the changes are necessary. If kids are involved, then you also prepare them early enough.
- Failing to create a downsizing schedule
Downsizing is a ton of work that requires proper planning. Failing to plan for the process can mean a tiring process you will dread for a long time. However, by planning, you set everything in motion at the right time. Find the appropriate time to get to a new place, plan on moving, and every other process involved.
Bottom Line
Downsizing is an involving task that requires planning. Understand the reasons for downsizing and follow up by managing the process. Make everyone involved in the process as comfortable as possible.