These Are the Most Helpful Tips for Seniors Who Are Planning to Downsize

Whatever your motivation for downsizing, the prospect can elicit both positive and negative emotions. Getting rid of belongings may not be easy, but looking ahead to your new life can help motivate you to take the next step. To that end, KDM Real Estate offers some helpful tips that can ease your journey as you downsize during retirement.

Decide Where You’ll Go Next

Some seniors decide to downsize to travel the world. Others have their sights set on a retirement community condominium to enjoy their golden years in, or they make plans for assisted living. Decide where you’ll go next, and what your plan is once you get there.

Learn How to Sell Your Home Mid-Coronavirus

At the moment, the coronavirus is having a significant effect on the housing market and how selling and buying is managed. Learning a bit more about what’s happening -- or consulting a knowledgeable real estate expert -- can shed light on your options for moving forward. As Lawyers.com points out, you’ll have to get creative about marketing and showing the property, and social distancing rules may also prevent you from holding in-person tours.

Strategies like offering virtual tours or creating 3D floor plans can help your property get more views -- and potentially more offers. Setting a competitive price is also an essential step, as KDM Real Estate’s Kasondra McConnell notes -- there are risks with pricing your home too high.

Explore Alternative Living Options

Once your current housing situation ends, consider what comes after. You might want to buy a smaller home to enjoy throughout retirement. Seniors can qualify for mortgages in retirement, but it’s important to first determine what you can afford and to get a feel for the local market.

Or, if you need assistance with daily tasks, Business Insider suggests learning more about what assisted living communities are like. Many older adults enjoy the routine and convenience of on-site activities and opportunities for socialization. Age-restricted communities can also be a nice escape from bustling neighborhoods with young families.

Should travel be your preference, decide where you’ll go and establish basics like your budget and itinerary. Many seniors enjoy traveling well into their golden years, and selling your current property might be your ticket to adventure.

Start Decluttering to Clear Some Space

Downsizing your belongings is the first step before you can think about downsizing your living space. But shedding years’ worth of clutter can quickly become overwhelming. Breaking the process into steps can make it far more manageable.

First, recognize why you keep the things that are creating clutter. Then, address any reservations you have about parting with things. Finally, take action in manageable steps.

Once you have a pile of things to get rid of, find a place to donate your formerly loved belongings. Some charities will even come to your house to pick items up -- though many organizations have limitations on what they’ll accept, depending on size, weight, etc.

Navigate the Logistics of Moving

Moving is a tall order, even after downsizing your stuff. So, some planning will help ease the burden of moving alone (or with the help of friends). For example, hiring professional movers might be the ideal solution. In fact, moving services are considered an essential service in many areas. However, the cost of moving will depend on a range of factors. The overall expense will fluctuate when you factor in how far you’re moving, what day you pack up, and how heavy the load is in the moving truck. 

This information and more -- such as whether the company is insured, bonded and licensed -- is important to ascertain when researching which professionals to hire. Keep your budget in mind, as well as your specific needs, such as moving to a home on the upper level of the building or to a place with narrow doorways and no elevators.

Once the moving truck arrives at your new home, your next adventure can finally begin. It can seem like a long journey from decluttering to downsizing into a new living arrangement. But with the right steps and support along your path, it’s not only doable, but also easier than you might think.

KDM Real Estate is the source for all your real estate needs in the Atlanta area. Contact us today at (404) 384-7256!