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Writer's pictureGina H.

Downsizing Your Home in Retirement: How To Prepare for a Smooth Process

Updated: Jan 30, 2023





Downsizing Your Home in Retirement: How To Prepare for a Smooth Process


As you approach retirement, you might be thinking about ways to simplify your life. For many seniors, that means downsizing from a family home to a smaller space that’s easier to manage. Downsizing not only can save money, but it can also reduce stress and provide your days with more peace. If you’re ready to make a move, these Orgnze tips will help you through the process.


How to Sell Your Current Home


If you own your own home, you’ll need to think about the best way to sell it. You may want to hire a real estate agent to help you get top dollar for your property. Or, if you’re in no hurry to sell, you could consider renting out your home as an investment property.


The key is to determine your expectations and devise a strategy for meeting them. Using your home as a rental property can add extra monthly income, but it will require you to handle regular maintenance, which might work against your goal of more simplicity. And if you hire a property management company, those fees could compromise the financial gains you make through the downsize.


Choosing a New Home


Once you’ve sold your current home, the next step is to look for a new place to live. If you’re hoping to downsize, you may be considering a condo or an apartment. But before you make any decisions, it’s important to sit down and think about what you need and want in a new home. As yourself:


● Do I need a one-bedroom or two-bedroom place?

● Would I prefer to be in a 55+ community?

● Do I want something close to family or friends?


Once you have a good idea of what you’re looking for, start searching through online listings. Some sites include virtual tours of the properties and allow you to filter your search by layout, amenities, rental rate, and more.


Sorting Through Your Belongings


One of the most challenging aspects of downsizing is sorting through all your belongings and deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. This can be an emotional process, especially if you’re getting rid of items that belonged to loved ones who have passed away.


Take your time going through everything and only keep the things that truly matter to you. Once you’ve sorted through everything, donate or sell the items you don’t want or need anymore; this will lighten your load and help someone else out at the same time.


You may elect to have a company haul away your belongings. Load Up can help you with any items you don’t wish to move.



Making the Moving Process Easy on Yourself


Once you’ve chosen your new home and sorted through all your belongings, it’s time to start packing! But before you start randomly throwing things into boxes, slow down to plan ahead. Make a detailed packing list so that nothing gets left behind. And be sure to label the boxes clearly so that unpacking will be a breeze.


You may also want to hire some professional movers so that all the heavy lifting is taken care of for you. A reliable moving company can make the whole process much easier (and less stressful) for yourself.


Organizing and Decorating Your New Home


The fun part comes after all your belongings are moved into your new place: organizing and decorating! This is your chance to start fresh and design a space that truly reflects your personal style. So go ahead and put up those family photos and hang artwork on the walls—don’t be afraid to really make this space yours. And look to professional home organizers like Orgnze for a stress-free experience!


Summary


Downsizing in retirement can be liberating. It’s a chance to purge unwanted items, simplify your life, and make things easier on yourself moving forward. You can make your downsizing process an enjoyable experience by finding the right home, simplifying your belongings, and working with professionals along the way. Before long, you’ll be settling into your new living environment, ready to take on the next chapter in your life!


Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about our fantastic home and life organizing services? Visit Orgnze today!

Image via Pexels


Downsizing Your Home in Retirement: How To Prepare for a Smooth Process


As you approach retirement, you might be thinking about ways to simplify your life. For many seniors, that means downsizing from a family home to a smaller space that’s easier to manage. Downsizing not only can save money, but it can also reduce stress and provide your days with more peace. If you’re ready to make a move, these Orgnze tips will help you through the process.


How to Sell Your Current Home


If you own your own home, you’ll need to think about the best way to sell it. You may want to hire a real estate agent to help you get top dollar for your property. Or, if you’re in no hurry to sell, you could consider renting out your home as an investment property.


The key is to determine your expectations and devise a strategy for meeting them. Using your home as a rental property can add extra monthly income, but it will require you to handle regular maintenance, which might work against your goal of more simplicity. And if you hire a property management company, those fees could compromise the financial gains you make through the downsize.


Choosing a New Home


Once you’ve sold your current home, the next step is to look for a new place to live. If you’re hoping to downsize, you may be considering a condo or an apartment. But before you make any decisions, it’s important to sit down and think about what you need and want in a new home. As yourself:


● Do I need a one-bedroom or two-bedroom place?

● Would I prefer to be in a 55+ community?

● Do I want something close to family or friends?


Once you have a good idea of what you’re looking for, start searching through online listings. Some sites include virtual tours of the properties and allow you to filter your search by layout, amenities, rental rate, and more.


Sorting Through Your Belongings


One of the most challenging aspects of downsizing is sorting through all your belongings and deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. This can be an emotional process, especially if you’re getting rid of items that belonged to loved ones who have passed away.


Take your time going through everything and only keep the things that truly matter to you. Once you’ve sorted through everything, donate or sell the items you don’t want or need anymore; this will lighten your load and help someone else out at the same time.


You may elect to have a company haul away your belongings. Load Up can help you with any items you don’t wish to move.



Making the Moving Process Easy on Yourself


Once you’ve chosen your new home and sorted through all your belongings, it’s time to start packing! But before you start randomly throwing things into boxes, slow down to plan ahead. Make a detailed packing list so that nothing gets left behind. And be sure to label the boxes clearly so that unpacking will be a breeze.


You may also want to hire some professional movers so that all the heavy lifting is taken care of for you. A reliable moving company can make the whole process much easier (and less stressful) for yourself.


Organizing and Decorating Your New Home


The fun part comes after all your belongings are moved into your new place: organizing and decorating! This is your chance to start fresh and design a space that truly reflects your personal style. So go ahead and put up those family photos and hang artwork on the walls—don’t be afraid to really make this space yours. And look to professional home organizers like Orgnze for a stress-free experience!


Summary


Downsizing in retirement can be liberating. It’s a chance to purge unwanted items, simplify your life, and make things easier on yourself moving forward. You can make your downsizing process an enjoyable experience by finding the right home, simplifying your belongings, and working with professionals along the way. Before long, you’ll be settling into your new living environment, ready to take on the next chapter in your life!


Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about our fantastic home and life organizing services? Visit Orgnze today!

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