Older adults frequently face the decision of whether to stay in their home or downsize to a smaller living space. Oftentimes it’s a result of becoming “empty-nesters” or may be due to financial or health-related factors. Whatever the reason, here are some helpful tips to consider as you prepare for this time of transition:
1. Plan Ahead
You can begin the process of downsizing well before putting your house on the market. Speak with a financial advisor and refine your retirement plan. Set a housing budget that will maximize your ability to save for retirement and long-term care. Planning ahead also means choosing a home that will meet your future needs as you age. Decide what’s most important before starting your home search. You may opt for a first-floor master bedroom or even a single-story home. Traversing flights of stairs may not be an issue now but could be 10 or 20 years down the road. Research neighborhoods, and perhaps scope out senior living communities that offer a continuum of care. Proximity to friends or family members as well as nearby shopping centers should also be considered when deciding where to move.
2. Pare Down
I recently heard someone say, “You’ll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.” In other words, you really can’t take it with you. Downsizing means there will inevitably be some space limitations, so deciding what to keep versus part with is key. As you comb through your house and storage areas, ask yourself regarding each item: 1) Is it necessary? 2) When is the last time I used this? 3) Will I realistically use it again, and when?, and 4) Would it benefit someone else more?
After distributing items to family members and friends (perhaps even bestowing legacy gifts early), consider holding an estate sale and/or donate items to charity for a tax write-off. Selling items online via Craigslist or other sites can garner quick cash, but responding to inquiries and arranging meet-ups may not be worth the hassle or risk. Many furniture consignment stores will pick up good-condition furniture and décor for a small fee and will split the sale with you. For whatever remains, services such as 1-800-GOT-JUNK or 1-800-JUNK-USA will pick up items from your home. If there are still large items that you truly can’t part with, consider renting a storage unit—however, first weigh the cost of long-term storage versus what you feel those items are worth.
3. Pace Yourself
Your cache of clutter wasn’t created in a day, therefore it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to sort through a lifetime’s worth of “stuff” in one weekend. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, experts say to break time spent sorting into 30- or 60-minute sprints. Tackle one room—or one closet or corner—at a time. This will provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction and keep you from feeling like a ping-pong ball, bouncing back and forth between tasks. And try to start with out-of-the-way areas such as the attic, basement or storage areas first (where most of the must-go items are found) and work your way into living spaces.
4. maximize space
Bed frames with built-in drawers, storage ottomans, built-in bookcases, wall-mounted shelving—multi-purpose furniture is key when downsizing to a smaller abode. While you are at it, a home technology upgrade can also save precious floor space. Swap the old tube-TV and cabinet for a flat-screen, wall-mounted television. Eliminate a tangle of cords with a Wi Fi printer. Ask your kids or grandkids for help scanning photos or paper documents onto a computer hard drive.
5. Communicate Effectively
If your adult children are involved in the decision-making or even just helping with the move itself, make sure everyone is on the same page and that each person has a list of assigned tasks and deadlines. Moving is hard at any age, period. But with open lines of communication, and by pausing to take a few deep breaths now and then, downsizing doesn’t have to be daunting. Once settled in your new digs, you may discover that less really is more.
Page Bishop Freer is a Licensed REALTOR practicing in the state of Virginia. She is also co-founder of The Health Journal. She can be reached at pagebishopfreer@me.com