Tag: downsizing

Advice for Downsizing

Downsizing-your-home

There are many reasons to downsize.  Maybe your kids are all grown and out of the house, maybe you are retiring, maybe you hate keeping up with the yard and housework, maybe you’re tired of spending so much money to heat and light rooms that you rarely use.  Whatever the reason, downsizing is typically a part of everyone’s life at some point.  When you’re ready to downsize the first thing you should do is evaluate your finances and your credit to see what you can afford.  After that you should make a “wish list” for your new home.  Ask yourself all the same questions you asked yourself when you bought your previous home and prioritize the things you want and need in your new home.  Finally, begin to tour homes.  Homes with less than 1200 square feet and condos are the best bets for those looking to downsize.  Of course, with downsizing the real estate adage of “location, location, location” still holds true.  And when it comes to school district, remember that even if it doesn’t matter to you, it may matter when it comes time for you to sell.  Finally, when it comes time to move remember that you are going to have to get rid of both furniture and stuff.  Downsizing can be difficult, especially if you have a lot of “things” that you are attached too.  A good rule of thumb is to sell, donate, or pass on anything that you haven’t used in the past year.  If your kids are still storing things at your home give them a time frame to remove their goods before they get donated.  And don’t forget about scale of your items too.  If your furniture is oversized, you will want to sell it and buy new, smaller pieces for downsizing.  In a large home, oversize furniture is cozy, but in a small home it is cramped at best and at worse doesn’t even fit.  Downsizing can be stressful, but when it is all said and done it is so much nicer to have less to take care of, and the lower utility bills that generally come with downsizing are a nice perk too!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Advice for Downsizing

Downsizing-your-home

There are many reasons to downsize.  Maybe your kids are all grown and out of the house, maybe you are retiring, maybe you hate keeping up with the yard and housework, maybe you’re tired of spending so much money to heat and light rooms that you rarely use.  Whatever the reason, downsizing is typically a part of everyone’s life at some point.  When you’re ready to downsize the first thing you should do is evaluate your finances and your credit to see what you can afford.  After that you should make a “wish list” for your new home.  Ask yourself all the same questions you asked yourself when you bought your previous home and prioritize the things you want and need in your new home.  Finally, begin to tour homes.  Homes with less than 1200 square feet and condos are the best bets for those looking to downsize.  Of course, with downsizing the real estate adage of “location, location, location” still holds true.  And when it comes to school district, remember that even if it doesn’t matter to you, it may matter when it comes time for you to sell.  Finally, when it comes time to move remember that you are going to have to get rid of both furniture and stuff.  Downsizing can be difficult, especially if you have a lot of “things” that you are attached too.  A good rule of thumb is to sell, donate, or pass on anything that you haven’t used in the past year.  If your kids are still storing things at your home give them a time frame to remove their goods before they get donated.  And don’t forget about scale of your items too.  If your furniture is oversized, you will want to sell it and buy new, smaller pieces for downsizing.  In a large home, oversize furniture is cozy, but in a small home it is cramped at best and at worse doesn’t even fit.  Downsizing can be stressful, but when it is all said and done it is so much nicer to have less to take care of, and the lower utility bills that generally come with downsizing are a nice perk too!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Advice for Downsizing

There comes a time in every home owner’s life when the idea of owning a large home just isn’t appealing anymore. When it occurs to you that the money spent on maintenance and the time spent on cleaning can be put to better use, it’s probably time to downsize. When you’re ready to think about downsizing think about the possible ramifications it may have. For example, to live comfortably in a smaller space you will have to get rid of a lot of your stuff – so if you’re emotionally attached, downsizing can feel like a step backward. In addition, if you have children, grandchildren, or friends and you like to have them come visit downsizing might make comfortable. However, if you feel like you can live with these ramifications, then downsizing might be a great option for you.

Once you decide to downsize, decide how small you are really willing to go and choose the neighborhoods you would like to live in. After you’ve got a good idea of what you’re looking for consider the costs of downsizing. Not only is there the cost of the home, but there are also other costs of downsizing. For example, you may need to purchase new, downsized furniture or need to rent storage space if you’re not ready to say goodbye to some of your beloved items.

Once you’re ready to make the move, call a trusted real estate agent and start looking! Downsizing might not be every home owner’s dream, but it can be a great move!

Thinking of buying of selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

There comes a time in every home owner’s life when the idea of owning a large home just isn’t appealing anymore.  When it occurs to you that the money spent on maintenance and the time spent on cleaning can be put to better use, it’s probably time to downsize.  When you’re ready to think about downsizing think about the possible ramifications it may have.  For example, to live comfortably in a smaller space you will have to get rid of a lot of your stuff – so if you’re emotionally attached, downsizing can feel like a step backward.  In addition, if you have children, grandchildren, or friends and you like to have them come visit downsizing might make comfortable.  However, if you feel like you can live with these ramifications, then downsizing might be a great option for you.

Once you decide to downsize, decide how small you are really willing to go and choose the neighborhoods you would like to live in.  After you’ve got a good idea of what you’re looking for consider the costs of downsizing.  Not only is there the cost of the home, but there are also other costs of downsizing.  For example, you may need to purchase new, downsized furniture or need to rent storage space if you’re not ready to say goodbye to some of your beloved items.

Once you’re ready to make the move, call a trusted real estate agent and start looking!  Downsizing might not be every home owner’s dream, but it can be a great move!

Thinking of buying of selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.