Downsizing can make your life easier with less house to take care of; however, there are some horror stories out there. Here are the top six mistakes people make when downsizing, plus some ways to make the process easier and less intimidating.
Waiting Too Long to Downsize
Are your kids gone? Is the mortgage paid off? Are you in reasonably good health? Think of it this way: It’s better to move now while you can. The biggest mistake you can make while downsizing is waiting too long. Instead, it is best to plan ahead to downsize so that it is a lifestyle choice. Exchange onerous yard work for fun activities such as golf games or long hikes. Don’t mistake this, however, for rushing the process so be sure to give yourself a full six months to prepare for your move.
Giving Your Kids Too Long a Leash
Odds are, your kids can help you downsize by grabbing some furniture you won’t have room for or a few mementos that are meaningful to them. However, be sure to give them a time limit. State a date by which they need to remove anything they want to keep. That way when it’s time to move you aren’t stuck with things your kids want and you don’t.
Tackling Your Whole Home All at Once
Downsizing your whole home at once will likely be overwhelming. Instead, focus on thinning out yard tools and kitchen first since people are usually going to a leaner lifestyle in these areas. If you are moving to a home where outdoor spaces are maintained by the condo association, you can just get rid of all your yard gear. Downsizing the kitchen will take more work. Start with what you want to keep and set that aside. Make sure it’s really going to fit in a smaller space, that it’s all worth the bother of moving, and that you will actually use it regularly.
Assuming Your Furniture Will Fit
Measure each room in your new home. Then, measure the pieces you’d like to take with you and make sure they would actually fit. You may want to try a virtual room online tool to figure out how you’ll configure your furniture in your new home.
