5 Staging Tips to Sell Your Home This Holiday Season
November 27, 2018
Winterlude 2019
January 28, 2019
Downsize Your Home, Upgrade Your Life!
If you decide to downsize, you can expect the following:
Reduced monthly expenses
Fewer property taxes
Lower utility costs
Are you an empty nester? Are your home repairs getting to be too expensive and time-consuming? Are house cleaning and property maintenance too much? Perhaps this means that it is time to downsize.
Downsizing is a great way to eliminate debt and the burden of expensive mortgages. Why not sell your current house and buy something smaller without wasted space? Purchasing a smaller home will decrease your utility bills, property taxes and other upkeep costs. Lower mortgage payments mean you can take the money you are saving and put it towards other financial goals. You can reduce debt, boost your retirement fund, or buy that new car you’ve always wanted!
Purging your home that you have lived in for the last 15 years can certainly be a difficult task. Though it may be hard to let go, you will feel better once it is gone. Getting rid of unneeded clutter and trinkets can be such a freeing experience. Remember that downsizing does not mean that you have to settle for a smaller, cheaper kitchen with ugly countertops! Looking for a smaller home may mean less overall space, but you can still have beautiful finishes and glamourous floors.
Downsizing can be broken down into 5 simple steps as we have outlined below. The Susan & Moe Team are experts in the downsizing process and we are happy to help every step of the way.
Moving into a new home is exciting! Downsize your home, and upgrade your life with these 5 simple steps!
Step 1:
Should I Stay or Should I Go
Downsizing your home is the opportunity to live within a new lifestyle. Many retirees live in an empty nest, so a large family home may not suit your needs anymore. A smaller home means less maintenance and upkeep. You will save money on snow removal, lawn care and property taxes. Downsizing your possessions is a great first step to owning a smaller home and spending your freed-up cash on travelling or buying a vacation home.
Step 2:
Just What I Needed
The unpleasant act of decluttering your home can certainly be an aggravating and lengthy process. Breaking the experience down into bite-sized pieces is the easiest way to start. Imagine opening that dreaded drawer in your kitchen and finding what you’re looking for rather than searching for it. To help simplify your purging experience, The Susan and Moe Team have created an easy step by step guide to purging your home.
Step 3:
Time in a Bottle
Some say the hardest part of downsizing is losing the memories that have been made in your family home. Photos are a great way to look back on all of the great times you enjoyed with your family in your home. Printing photos and putting them in frames for your next home can be soothing and comforting. You don’t have to throw away old baby clothes from when your children were small. You can instead save things like that for your grandbabies! Can't part with your wedding dress? You don't have to! Just keep your treasured possessions to a minimum. Remember that you don't have to give everything up!
Step 4:
Sweet Emotion
There is no doubt that downsizing will bring on all sorts of emotions that may come as a surprise to you. Your home holds all kinds of memories and special times that will stay with you forever. Just because you are moving to a different house, it doesn’t mean you are letting go of those memories! If the packing up and purging gets to be too much, take your time with it, it doesn’t all need to be done at once. Unless your house is already sold, there really is no rush!
Step 5:
(Just Like) Starting Over
The process of downsizing can be lengthy and tough. Depending on how much stuff you have, it could take months to fully downsize your home. Once you are finished, it is a good idea to celebrate your accomplishments. Use the money you made from selling your items and take a well-deserved getaway or vacation. Have some friends over to show off your organized home. This is an exciting part of your life and you should enjoy your retirement and time off. Downsize your home, and upgrade your life!
