Size matters when it comes to your home, but not in the way you may expect. In fact, 60% of people who live in homes over 2,000 square feet would choose a smaller house over a larger one.
Downsizing is a fantastic way to save money, save maintenance time, and reap the rewards of a more minimalistic lifestyle. It can be an overwhelming task from the start, though. Stop stressing with these easy tips on downsizing to a smaller home.
1. Downsize Your Stuff First
A common mistake that downsizers make is choosing a home first and then trying to downsize their possessions to fit it. It’s better to work in the opposite direction.
Go through everything in your home and do a major purge. Sell or donate anything you don’t need. It’s a good idea to start this process early, so you have plenty of time to sell items.
This way, you have a more accurate idea of how much space you truly need in your next home. You’ll also know where that space needs to be.
For instance, perhaps you still have a lot of kitchen items but little clothing. You’ll want a home that has plenty of space in the kitchen but minimal closet space.
2. Get Detailed Measurements
When choosing your downsized home, always have a tape measure handy. Take detailed measurements of each room unless these details are already available.
Use these measurements to see whether your furniture would fit and how you would arrange it. If the home doesn’t fit your furniture, are you willing to sell and replace your furniture?
If you’ve already bought or leased the home, you can still put your measurements to use. Plan out how to arrange each room’s furniture in advance to make the move smoother. Be sure to consider essential layout rules in the process.
3. Make Everything Multifunctional
One of the top tricks to living in a small space is to rely on multifunctional pieces. For instance, furniture should also offer storage space or convert to other types of furniture.
The same goes for decor: storage can be stylish if you find the right items.
4. Consider Space Alternatives
After you’ve downsized your possessions, make sure you think about all your options. For instance, you might see that you have a lot of items you store in your basement. You’d assume your new home also needs a basement or a lot of storage space.
In reality, it may be cheaper to choose a home with little storage space and rent a self-storage unit instead.
The Best of Our Tips on Downsizing to a Smaller Home: Find the Right Real Estate Agent
Any time you move, your real estate agent will play a significant role in the process. If you’re downsizing, you need an agent who understands your priorities and respects them. Some agents may try to push you toward a larger house than you need, so they earn a higher commission.
Among all our tips on downsizing to a smaller home, the most important one is to select an agent who will uphold your best interests instead. For an agent, you can trust, reach out to our Utah realty team today.
