seniors covering furniture for house move

Senior Homeowners Will Want to Downsize After Reading These Benefits

Downsizing is a major decision and one that is often met with many questions. Senior homeowners may be concerned about covering the cost of a move, being able to fit all their belongings into a townhome, or finding a buyer for their current place, and while those are all valid concerns, the benefits tend to outweigh any potential cons. Not only does downsizing give you the opportunity to save money, but it can also help reduce the amount of housework and upkeep you have in your current home, leaving you more time to do the things you enjoy.

 

Here are some tips from House Removal to help you sell your home at a nice profit and find the perfect place for the next chapter in your life.

 

Fund your move, and then some

 

Selling your home is a big step, especially if you’ve lived there for a number of years, but if it’s in good shape you’ll be looking at a nice sale price that will allow you to fund your move with some left over. It’s a good idea to do any small upgrades you can to your old house before you sell. Some fresh paint and window repairs can add good value. Just be sure to save receipts and records.

 

Because there are always a few fees associated with selling, you’ll want to make sure you know exactly how much you can expect to take home when it’s all said and done, so get your finances in order and look for a handy home sale proceeds calculator that will tell you its value while subtracting taxes, fees, and commissions. Once you’re armed with a solid number, you’ll be able to plan more efficiently for the move.

 

Many seniors who downsize also make extra cash by selling items they won’t need in the new house. Try having a garage sale or posting on a resale app so you’ll have more space after the move.

 

Get ready to save

 

Not only does selling your home bring in some extra cash, but you’ll also be able to save each month with lower mortgage payments, smaller utility bills, and fewer maintenance costs. For many homeowners who choose to downsize and move into a townhome, this is the main attraction because it allows them to save for things like family vacations, retirement, or college funds for the kids. Once you have a new home in mind, add up what your monthly costs will be and compare it to what you spend now. You may be surprised at the difference. There are a number of ways seniors can save, including taking advantage of senior discounts or joining a discount club.

 

Relax

 

Saving money is a major perk of downsizing, but it’s not the only one. Once you have a smaller place to take care of, you’ll have fewer chores and maintenance—like yard work—to worry about, which means you can spend more time doing the things you love and focusing on your health or your family.

 

The process of moving will allow you to declutter, which Psychology Today notes can lower your stress levels and boost mental health in general. Reducing stress will have an effect on many parts of your lifestyle, from the way you sleep to your ability to handle responsibilities at work. You might even have more time to spend on a hobby that can be turned into a side-gig or create a home-based business!

 

Getting rid of a lot of stuff before a move can help you save money during it. One major savings is that you won’t require a large team to get your things moved effectively. You’ll likely be able to accomplish it with a man-and-a-van service. If you are attached to your posessions then consider putting them in storage.

 

Consider it an adventure

 

Whether you want to start a new career or prepare for retirement, downsizing will give you the opportunity to do so in a new town if you wish, which could turn out to be a major positive. When it’s time to search for a townhome, don’t be afraid to branch out in other cities or states. Do some research on the area to find out more about the local culture, school ratings, crime rate, and interesting landmarks and attractions, all of which will affect your lifestyle or job choice. If you’ve been thinking about making a fresh start, now is the perfect time.

 

Downsizing definitely comes with a lot to think about, but with so many benefits it would be a shame not to at least consider it. Do some research to find out how much you can expect to get for your home and how much you’ll save in the first year, which might convince you to take the plunge.

downsizing tips

6 Downsizing Tips To Consider if You Might Need Elderly Care

Even with a live-in carer, it may be that the home of your elderly loved one is far too big to manage. Here’s some downsizing tips to avoid compromising completely.

It’s very important to discuss the pros and the cons of downsizing with your loved once because they must fully understand why the decision needs to be taken. Examining the pros and the cons are the ideal way of introducing the practical aspects and difficulties of maintaining a larger home over a smaller one. It is, of course, quicker to clean and easier to maintain the outside space of a smaller home but might also offer proximity to shops, parks and other amenities and a more close-knit community. Reassure them too, that there are suitable properties out there that can offer the space and the location that they want and need.

Even with professional care at home, it may be that the home your elderly relative calls home is simply too big to maintain for both them and their carer. But moving house can be an emotional wrench and there will still need to be plenty of bedroom and living space for your relative and the person offering home care services. How can you navigate this difficult but important decision?

 

Read our 5 downsizing tips to help get the conversation started…

 

1 Consider the property type needed

A large bungalow or flat is ideal, especially in a good location for both your relative and carer. Make a list of things that your relative needs from a property and a list of their wants. It will be unusual to find a property that ticks every want and need, unless they build their own, a downsizing move that they may consider.

2 Future-proof the move

Essentially, your relative has chosen to have a carer live with them so that they can remain in their own home – and even when they have downsized, they will want to do the same. That means future-proofing the move by opting for a property that is adaptable now and in the future. This is one of the most important downsizing tips so consider access to the property, for example, as well as layout and design and how this may need to change in the future.

3 Start the downsizing process early

Moving from a larger property to a smaller property is a big decision and in terms of organisation, there is a lot to do. Part of the issue is that not every piece of furniture or item can be taken and so decisions will need to be made about what will be taken and what won’t be. Consider selling furniture or donating it to charity.

4 Have a clear plan of action

Moving at any time is a big upheaval. It is exciting but also an anxious time for your loved one and their at-home carer. Have a clear plan of action (as far as is possible!) about what is happening and when. Clear communication is really important to allay fears and nerves.

5 ALWAYS keep your relative, their wants, needs and desires at the forefront of every decision

It is a hard decision to make – it may have been the home you grew up in yourself, for example – and one that is deeply emotional too but, it many cases, downsizing to a smaller property is essential. Always keep your elderly relative and their needs at the forefront of any decision made.

 

buying a house

5 Hacks To Downsize Your Home Before Moving

Change is great and part of life but can be challenging for some people. One such overwhelming change is moving. Moves are largely triggered by approaching retirement, but even for younger workers, the prospect of moving someplace smaller can be daunting and difficult with all the stuff that they possess in a larger space.

Whether you’re moving to cut expenses or just to simplifying your life, these pro tips can help you ace the transition by downsizing your home before moving:

  1. Bid a Farewell to some items

It is okay to be attached to that big sweat shirt or that pair of jeans which would be too old but has a lot of memories associated with it, but it’s time to let go. Only to pay haul things that will actually fit in your new, smaller space. It is important that you remind yourself that you’re reducing clutter and not stockpiling it.

It is difficult to just open your wardrobe one day and de-clutter it all at once. The best way to go about it is by thinking as to for how long you have not used that particular thing. If it’s been an entire year or a season, you should probably toss it – unless it’s something like a tuxedo or an evening gown. Ask yourself if you actually enjoy using the item or if it has a place in your life. Be ruthless.

It is imperative that you keep in mind that our activities and interests change over time, and we don’t always review our possessions to keep up with that so maybe we should make room for things that’ll actually align with our current endeavors.

  1. Hop on that online portal

While garage sales help you get rid of items you no longer need, you should also check social media or Freecycle for so-called beg, barter, and buy-and-sell groups that allow you to buy, sell and trade your possessions. It can be an effective, low-labor way to unload unwanted items fast and inexpensively.

  1. Exclude Food

If movers pack for you, remember that they will move literally everything you leave behind—including food. The best way to go about it is to look for a socially responsible mover that is mindful of the perishable as well as non-perishable items that might be present in your pantry. These items can be safely transported to a food bank. This way, you save the cost of moving it and help alleviate hunger in your community at the same time, meaning it’s a win win situation!

  1. Insure Your Valuables

Moving is a tedious process and with the help of professional movers, the possibility of your items being damaged is minimized but is definitely not eliminated meaning it does happen. That’s why valuation—or how much your moving company will reimburse you in case your property is lost or damaged—is necessary and you should be aware of it.

Valuation is highly recommended specially those who are downsizing as they tend to hold back or rather retain the necessities when moving into a new apartment which might be the most valuable pieces for them.

A standard basic valuation is 60 cents per pound but there are various other options worth exploring as per your requirements. So if electronics that weigh only a few pounds or less get damaged, you’ll only be reimbursed a couple of dollars, even though they’re worth much more than that. Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out what is protected under your existing plan and ask how much it would cost to fully insure everything you plan to take with you; then decide whether it’s worth it to upgrade the valuation.

  1. Get Multiple Cost Estimates

If you’re downsizing, you may not think of it as a big move, and you may not take all the precautions you would normally. But you should. You may find a company that’s just as reputable and offers the same services for hundreds or even thousands of dollars less. Experts’ advice to not get trapped in the popularity of certain movers and so get at least three estimates from reputable professional movers. Don’t just go with the first person you talk to. With that, it is also a great idea to turn towards your friends who recently downsized to a smaller space as well to get to know their experience with the movers and the costs involved.

 

Downsizing your home is a highly emotional process. In fact, it can be a lot like grieving. You are changing your life and giving up the things you once loved so don’t feel shy if you’re struggling to reduce your possessions to fit into your new small house, keeping a few things that you’re undecided on in storage or just with your parents is worth pondering over. There are plenty of low-cost self-storage units available to rent for short periods – check out this useful price comparison chart.

 

 

 

Author Bio:

Jenny Harrison is a passionate home and lifestyle blogger. She loves to engage with readers who are seeking home and lifestyle-related information on the internet. She is a featured blogger at various high authority blogs and magazines in which she shared her research and experience with the vast online community. Currently, she is associated with New York moving company ‘All Around Moving Services Company’ Specializes in arranging and assembling services of professional and skilled local movers locally in New York City as well as areas in New Jersey, Connecticut and the Miami Dale area in South Florida. Follow her on twitter @MJennyHarrison for more updates.