Downsizing your home is a big step, and it’s one that you should take carefully. If you don’t get it right, you could live to regret your decision. So, here are five top tips that you should use when you decide to downsize.
1. Determine Your Needs
Most people’s reason for downsizing is a change of circumstances. When the kids grow up, and the house is a little bigger than it needs to be, it makes sense to move to somewhere smaller. But you should take some time to make sure that you know what your needs are. How many bedrooms will you need? And where will people sleep if they come over to visit? Thinking about these practical things is vital if you want to make sure that you will have enough space in the future.
2. Plan for the Future
Thinking about the long-term is what you need to be doing throughout this entire process. If you fail to think about where you will be and what you will need in five or ten years, you could make a mistake. This is even more important if you see this house move as the final move of your lifetime. You should think about what you will need when you get older and retire. This is one of the reasons why so many people decide to buy a bungalow when they downsize their home. It means mobility issues in the home won’t become a problem in the future.
3. Don’t be Afraid to be Radical
So far, I’ve talked about planning carefully and thinking about the future. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t think outside the box and try something completely new and unconventional. For example, you could move into a home that is made from an unusual material. Or you could move to a remote location and live in a small home. If you do decide to do that, you should visit a website like http://besttinyhousebuilders.com. Tiny homes can be built in all locations, so you might want to consider having something built to your specific needs.
4. Take the Chance to Cut Clutter
There is no better time to clear out the clutter than when you move to a smaller home. The smaller space that you will have to deal with will demand that you don’t take all your clutter with you. So, before you actually go ahead and make the move, you should have a big clear out of all the stuff that you no longer need. Lightening the load will make the move easier, so why not go for it? Go to a site like http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing for decluttering tips.
5. Make Sure Everyone is Happy with the Final Decision
Last but not least, it’s important to make sure that everyone is happy with the final decision. Downsizing is a big move, and it can have all sorts of consequences for the way in which you live. Therefore, it’s only fair that you speak to everyone in the household and get their opinion. If they are not sure about the decision, you should discuss it and find a compromise that suits everyone.
