Moving to a Smaller Home Can Mean a Bigger Way of Life

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Moving to a Smaller Home Can Mean a Bigger Way of Life

When you’ve made the decision to downsize from your current home into a less spacious
one, you’ll find you have opened up a lot of possibilities for yourself. You’ll have more
time with less house that needs to be maintained. You’ll have the equity from the sale of
your home to travel or to save for your retirement. Or you may have moved to a smaller
town in order to enjoy a slower, less hectic, and chaotic lifestyle. But, before you can enjoy all that, you’ll need to move from your current home, and that will take some planning.

Choosing Your New Home

You’ll first want to make a list of your must-haves. How many rooms do you have to
have? Your new kitchen may be smaller, but you still may have preferences in appliances like a larger oven or refrigerator. Or you might not be satisfied with a small bathtub when
you’re used to having a large garden tub. If you enjoy gardening, even a small yard will do, as long as you can have enough space to grow your own vegetables or flowers. And finally, if you have a hobby you enjoy, you’ll want to have enough space so that you don’t have to give it up, whether it’s a garage or an extra room.

Your appliances, as well as your systems like your HVAC, can be expensive to repair and
replace. This may help: a home warranty policy. It’s an annually renewable policy that
covers your appliances and home systems. A homeowner’s insurance protects you from
damage from fire, theft or vandalism, and weather events, but having extra protection for
your appliances can save you a lot of money in repairs.

Where you decide to locate is just as important as the home you choose. Look for
communities that offer the amenities you want, like a swimming pool, parks, and
community centers. You may want to stay near enough to family and friends so that you
don’t feel isolated. Or if you’re employed, then close enough to your workplace to lower
the time you spend commuting.

If You’re Downsizing to an Apartment

You can research apartments online to narrow down your search. Online apartment
websites allow you to filter by the number of bedrooms, floor plans, amenities, and price.
Look for safety features, like gated communities with restricted entry. And security
cameras for every unit, like doorbell cameras, offer an extra level of security.
If you’re a senior, an apartment with elevator service can be ideal for accessibility while
offering an extra level of security.

When You’re Ready to Sell

Once you’ve decided on your home, you’ll know exactly what you’ll be able to keep and
what you’ll have to donate or sell. Start packing early to give yourself enough time so
that you don’t feel rushed.

Pack room by room to make a system out of the move. Be honest with yourself about
what you really have to keep. Make an inventory of everything you have. Create a list so
that you can go over the items and check off those that you’re going to leave behind,
along with how you’ll dispose of them.

Facebook Marketplace is a great way to sell your items since most people will not only
purchase your goods but will take them away themselves, saving you from having to
move them on your own.

Be mindful of the space you’re going to have. If there are things you really can’t part
with, rent a self-storage space for anything that won’t fit into your new home.
Downsizing can be one of the smartest moves you can make. You’ll have more money,
less stress, and if you move to the right place, a better way of life. Make certain your
home and its systems are protected with policies like a home warranty. And if you’re
moving into an apartment, make sure it has all the features to make your lifestyle safe and
comfortable. Once you’ve moved into your smaller home, you may wonder why you
didn’t do it sooner!

If you’re buying or selling in the York, Pennsylvania area, contact The George Woods Home Selling Team for guidance throughout the entire process, from viewing homes and
financing to making sure the final contract is in your best interest.

This guest post was provided by Katie Conroy