Downsizing and dismantling a home filled with possessions from the past 20 or 30 years can be emotionally difficult, experts say. Deciding what to keep and what has to go is agonizing but with the proper planning and some helpful ideas the process can go smoothly. I appreciate your comments about "be brutal" on sorting what's, "These were all really good tips. Make sure to take good quality photos of the items and offer good descriptions. ", "Great suggestions that I will definitely take with me on my journeys. Let’s say you owe $18,000 on your student loan. My parents recently moved from their home of 30 yrs in the Austin area to Houston to be near us. We pride ourselves on being professional, resourceful and dedicated to making your home buying experience smooth and fun. Downsize My Home was a lifesaver when my husband and I decided it was time to downsize and move closer to our children and grandchildren. Besides, if you are doing all your living outside, all … How to Downsize Your Home, Step By Step Step 1: Make the biggest decisions first. That said, depending on how good of friends they are, you can give them a flat $20, $40 or $60 dollars for the day, depending on how long you have them work. People downsize for multiple reasons. Your downsizing journey has … There are lots of resources. For example, fill Grandma's old vase with the sea-shells you collected together (rather than in a box somewhere). We tend to get caught up in the need to get rid of our stuff that it is easy to get tunnel vision. Our easy-to-follow systems and trained move managers help declutter, dispose of unwanted belongings, pack, unpack and redesign a smaller living space to fit your lifestyle. Feel free to visit our other downsizing posts for more tips and inspiration to downsize your home. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 447,700 times. In 2017 a new 'residence nil-rate band' … Moving seniors from their home is not only a logistical nightmare, but also a likely unforeseen emotional experience for all involved. ", much for me. Yes, you could hire a maid or a part-time student to help. Having someone to help you along the way is a great resource to help keep you on track. Remember that you are a salesperson. Explore alternative housing: Before diving headfirst into downsizing, it’s worth trying out a smaller way of life. If you’re working hard to kick debt to the curb, downsizing your home is a huge way to crank up your intensity. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Downsizing your home is a very personal decision and one that only you can take at a time that suits you. With my husbands health I am doing everything and still working full time. Flanagan, Minneapolis, MN. So when is it time to downsize your home? Let’s look at an example. ", https://www.becomingminimalist.com/creative-ways-to-declutter/, http://www.darbyroad.com/drh-style/interior-design-101-how-to-measure-space-for-furniture, https://www.familyhandyman.com/storage-organization/18-life-changing-organizing-ideas-for-hard-to-store-stuff/, https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/earning/articles/use-these-websites-to-sell-your-clutter-for-cash, https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/organizing-tips/, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Do not flush or throw into the trash any expired/unwanted medicines. I was really about to have an anxiety attack, it was just too, "I'm having an emotional time letting go of things, for many reasons. Kim provided guidance, encouragement and resources for every step of the process. You may find that purchasing a smaller home makes the most sense once you become an empty-nester, or maybe you’re a millennial who’d like more money to retire early or travel. My parents recently moved from their home of 30 yrs in the Austin area to Houston to be near us. and pare down to the essentials. The median price per square foot is $123 according to recent estimates. Reading how much we can do without the, "I realized I can bless others with things that have been collecting dust. Take... Stay organized: Make an inventory list (this can also be helpful if you’re hiring movers ). A smaller house can mean less upkeep, lower monthly expenses— and maybe even potential cash from a sale. Specialties: As Downsizing Specialists, we help take the overwhelm out of a downsize move! I was repeatedly pleasantly surprised by the quality and professionalism of everyone associated with Downsize My Home. If you find yourself in economic straits, downsize as quickly as possible. If you downsize you may be able to get an extra inheritance tax threshold, known as a downsizing addition. Fill an heirloom milk-can with Ziploc bags full of pictures that you haven't decided what to do with. You are blessing other people by giving up what you no longer need. Now, if you downsized your home, cut your monthly mortgage payment by $300, and added that $300 to your monthly student loan payment, you’d say goodbye to Sallie Mae in just under seven years. I'm trying to start downsizing. Last Updated: September 3, 2020 ", "It encouraged me to strongly consider downsizing. Be sure to shop around. Make use of "negative space", especially with small and sentimental things. When should I downsize my home? How much an hour should I pay? You may be able to enlist their help in the move for a promised dresser/bed/armchair! Some people choose to do it before they retire so that they can achieve the financial savings from doing so whilst they are still economically active. I'm thinking of hiring a professional downsizer. They will contaminate the water supply. ", "One, two, three, this identified steps to follow. Many questions must have been running through your mind such as if it will help you prepare for your retirement if it’s going to help you sort or reduce your financial debt, or probably your kids are gone which makes the house seem too big for only you. How to know when it is time to downsize your home is a very personal subject! Downsizing Your Home Let the Experts at My Home Downsize guide you on your journey to your next dream home. Many larger homes not only have more square footage, but also higher ceilings. I need to hire a helper to do my bending and lifting as I sort through my stuff. How to Know Downsizing is The Right Decision One of the questions many owners ask themselves is 'should I downsize my home.' It also gives me peace of mind when I have several companies to choose from for a service like movers to get feedback from people who have had experience using that service. If she is a hoarder, triple or quadruple the estimate. Don’t think that you will remember big television box is actually full of pots and pans. ", "I think the tone was encouraging and the advice relatable and sound. There’s no question that downsizing can have many financial advantages. I don't need this much stuff! '; localizedErrMap['state_province'] = 'Select a state/province'; localizedErrMap['selectcountry'] = 'Select a country'; var postURL = 'https://visitor2.constantcontact.com/api/signup'; Moving seniors from their home is not only a logistical nightmare, but also a likely unforeseen emotional experience for all involved. The health and safety of our customers, employees, and the public are a priority of Downsize My Home. Yikes, not an easy process. '; localizedErrMap['email'] = 'Please enter your email address in name@email.com format. With the size of the average home in the U.S. bigger than ever, many owners are finding themselves in living spaces that are larger than they want or need. A complete system to help you plan your downsize move, de clutter, or redesign your life! Now is the time to get rid of excess baggage (literally!) This article has been viewed 447,700 times. Logical, practical and not so overwhelming! Over time, we tend to accumulate stuff - lots of stuff. ", move them first" suggestion. By using our site, you agree to our. Don’t forget to go through your bathroom cabinets, kitchen and “junk” drawers. How do I get rid of knick knacks that have been in my family for years without breaking my heart? Another popular reason to downsize your home is to cut back on the amount of maintenance and upkeep you need to do. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. '; localizedErrMap['generic'] = 'This field is invalid. Please contact us to resolve this. Donate them to charities and tell yourself that they can give joy to others. References There are many reasons to buy a smaller home—or to downsize from your present home—but sometimes, the idea that "less is more" is what propels homeowners to buy a smaller home. Moving is a big deal, especially for older adults. Hiring a professional to oversee a move may cost $2,000-$5,000 depending on the size of her home and the size of her assisted living space. ", "Feel that I can now move from a large 3 bed house to small 1 bed flat. These stores can be found in your local business directory. Downsizing is a concept that is becoming increasingly popular these days. Kim from Downsize My Home Answered this on September 03, 2017 As both a business owner and a consumer, I find that posting client reviews is a great way to gain referrals! Any drugstore will dispose of these items responsibly, free of charge. This article has been viewed 447,700 times. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Someday, you may take up exercising, but the treadmill/Stairmaster/Bowflex has been gathering dust for some time. Whether you're doing this for yourself or someone else, downsizing is never easy. Ask yourself if you've used it in the past year and, if so, how often? From adventurous nomads who want to loosen the ties of unnecessary possessions to become minimalists, to the millions of Baby Boomers who want to live in more manageable homes, downsizing is a common solution to simplify daily living. The Downsize Toolkit helped make an overwhelming task very manageable. Be honest with yourself. Thanks. Downsizing your home will allow you to maximize the space you’re paying for while freeing up funds you can use for investing. Should I Downsize My Home And Pay Off Mortgage – Deciding whether to downsize your home should be given careful thought. The Downsize Toolkit helped make an overwhelming task very manageable. Once you're in your new small space, enact a rule to keep your stuff from accumulating: Every time something comes in, something has to go. Wow, so much to do and, so little time. ", considerably. Hope you enjoy this video on Downsizing your Home and your Life. You may be at the stage in life where your kids are out of the house—or perhaps you’re just looking for a change—and want to downsize your home. It really took, "This article help me feel relaxed about the move. We have a tendency to accumulate unnecessary items in these places. Choose a room and start sorting, determining which items to keep and which to discard. Looking over this article will help, "Just seeing it step by step was like someone was going through it with me from the start to the end. Established in 2008. (Plays and records DVDs/CDs.). ", "General useful info good for a new adventure. Serving in-person in the Austin, Texas area or online nationwide. var localizedErrMap = {}; localizedErrMap['required'] = 'This field is required. $10 to 15.00 per hour is good if you don't plan on feeding them. You’ll likely get more money for your items this way but it is more time consuming. This article received 19 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Downsize-Your-Home-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Downsize-Your-Home-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Downsize-Your-Home-Step-1.jpg\/aid577612-v4-728px-Downsize-Your-Home-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"