elderly women packing and downsizing doctornotsure

Essential Downsizing Advice for Seniors

Downsizing in your golden years can be a door to a beautiful next chapter in your life. Living closer to loved ones, easier maintenance and cleaning, and lower energy bills are just a few of the many possibilities that come with a downsize. 

Nonetheless, the process can take a lot of time and energy, and if you don’t strategize your steps, it can be downright overwhelming. To make your downsize go as smoothly as possible, DoctorNotSure has provided these practical tips:

Preparing for the Sale     

If you are a homeowner, your first step is to sell your home. To get the most out of your sale, you must understand the market value of your home before you list it. The easiest way to figure this out is to use an online estimator; while this might not give you the official price you should list your home for, you’ll get a good idea of where you stand. Search “how much is my house worth” online to get started!

Once you have an idea of how much your home is worth, start looking for an experienced real estate team that can help you navigate all the steps of the home buying process. For instance, an agent can help you create an outstanding listing, connect with the right buyer, and even help you get a headstart on finding a new home!

Before moving out of your house, you must declutter all your belongings and stage the home for sale. Go through all of your closets, rooms, and spaces, and sort each item by what you will take with you, put in storage, sell, donate, or discard. 

Be sure to remove any personal items so potential buyers can envision themselves living in your home. You might benefit from hiring a professional home stager, or you can look online for easy DIY tricks to help present your house in the best light.

House Hunting    

When it comes to finding a new home, it’s best to start looking as early as you can. Your specific needs and preferences will determine whether you need to find a house, apartment, condo, or another smaller space for the next chapter in your life. Work with your real estate agent to find the proper home layout in the best kind of neighborhood for your lifestyle. 

Don’t forget to consider your current and future needs and lifestyle when searching for your next home. You might not know precisely what the future holds, but you can contemplate what type of life you hope to lead and plan accordingly! 

For example, if you plan on living with a dog, you will need to make sure your new living situation accommodates pets. And if you love to spend time outside, you might look for a place with a lovely outdoor living area. 

Relocating     

So, you have found your next home and are ready to get a move on it. If you have enough friends and relatives nearby to help you with the move, you may not need professional moving services. But if no one can help you, don’t try to do all of the work yourself. 

There are reputable moving companies across the country that specialize in helping older adults get their belongings from point A to point B. Do your research and compare client reviews to find a trustworthy moving space near you.

Try to schedule your moving day as far in advance as possible. Many companies will even help you pack your belongings. Whether you have movers do it or do it yourself, you will want to make sure all of your boxes are packed efficiently and labeled clearly so that the unpacking process is as easy and fast as possible. 

Many seniors benefit from downsizing because of less maintenance, proximity to loved ones, more financial security, and many other perks. Before long, you will be settling comfortably into your new home, enjoying a simpler life! Whatever your reason for moving to a smaller space, consider the tips and information above so that you can set yourself up for a wonderful experience.