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11 Steps to Downsizing Your House

Tara Knight March 7, 2023

Suddenly, a place that was perfect for you a decade or two ago might feel cavernous. If you’re starting to dream about trading in your rambling old house for a smaller cottage or new condo, here are the steps you’ll have to take.

  1. Consider your finances

  • How much your home is worth

  • Where you want to buy or rent

    • HOAs

    • New taxes if you leave your area

  • Mortgage rates

  • Your credit scores

  1. Think about space

  • Visit smaller homes at open houses

  • Walk through IKEA showrooms

  • Record square footage and your impressions of space

  • Don’t forget lot size

  1. Could you change enough to stay?

  • Remodeling and staying put might be an option

  • Convert one floor to a unit and rent it

  • Widen the stairs

  • Update the bathroom

  • Talk to contractors and scope a budget to see if this is realistic

  1. Decide where to go

  • In the same area, but closer to some amenities or people?

  • Different neighborhood?

  • Different city?

  • Different state?

  • Different country?

  1. Factor in cost-of-living changes

  • Groceries and gas

  • Utilities

  • Parking

  • Public transportation

  • Entertainment

  1. Find a place to land

  • Familiarize yourself with a typical house

  • Get specific measurements for your new place

  1. Replace or shed furniture

  • Consider size, function, daily usage

  • Eliminate duplicate items

  • Think about what you can replace

  • Take measurements of what you buy so you’re sure it will fit

  1. Getting rid of excess baggage

  • Books

  • Decorations

  • Clothes

  • Kitchenware

  • Appliances

  1. Understand your storage options

  • Will you have a storage closet?

  • Or a garage?

  • A basement?

  • An attic?

  • Should you rent a storage unit?

    • Be careful with this option

    • If you don’t have a plan to deal with it, get rid of it

  1. Organize, organize, organize

  • Your finances

  • Your giveaways or sales of your things

  • Your donations

  • Your move-out

  1. Make the move

  • You may be seized with second thoughts

  • Make a list of the things you don’t like about your about-to-be downsized lifestyle and house

    • Refer to it throughout the process 


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Work With Tara

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