At some point, most seniors start thinking about downsizing for a simpler, more affordable life.
However, the downsizing process can be stressful and emotionally draining, especially if
you’ve lived in the same home for decades. Add to this the complications of selling and
buying a home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and you may be feeling more than a little
overwhelmed.
However, the downsizing process can be stressful and emotionally draining, especially if
you’ve lived in the same home for decades. Add to this the complications of selling and
buying a home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and you may be feeling more than a little
overwhelmed.
Selling Your Home During COVID-19
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the home-selling process looks slightly different right now.
Instead of hosting an open house or having buyers visit your home for showings, you will have
to find ways to show off your home from a distance. Fortunately, video-chat tours and 3D
walkthroughs have made this easy! Even as lockdown restrictions begin to lift, these tools
can help you find buyers without putting your health at risk.
Instead of hosting an open house or having buyers visit your home for showings, you will have
to find ways to show off your home from a distance. Fortunately, video-chat tours and 3D
walkthroughs have made this easy! Even as lockdown restrictions begin to lift, these tools
can help you find buyers without putting your health at risk.
You can use many of these same tools to tour properties as you search for your new
downsized home! Find a great real estate agent who understands your downsizing needs
and is willing to work with any concerns you have about house-hunting during the pandemic.
Your real estate agent will help hook you up with virtual tours and video walkthroughs so you
can find the perfect home while maintaining a safe distance.
downsized home! Find a great real estate agent who understands your downsizing needs
and is willing to work with any concerns you have about house-hunting during the pandemic.
Your real estate agent will help hook you up with virtual tours and video walkthroughs so you
can find the perfect home while maintaining a safe distance.
Planning for the Future
When choosing your new home, consider your future needs. Moving into a smaller house is a
great way to make life easier in your golden years, but some key accessibility features will
further future-proof your home and allow for aging-in-place. For example, you may want to
look for a one-story home that can easily accommodate an entrance ramp if you wind up
requiring a walker or wheelchair in your future. Bathroom safety is another important
consideration. Keep an eye out for homes with large bathrooms with non-slip flooring and
walk-in showers.
great way to make life easier in your golden years, but some key accessibility features will
further future-proof your home and allow for aging-in-place. For example, you may want to
look for a one-story home that can easily accommodate an entrance ramp if you wind up
requiring a walker or wheelchair in your future. Bathroom safety is another important
consideration. Keep an eye out for homes with large bathrooms with non-slip flooring and
walk-in showers.
Getting Rid of Stuff
Getting rid of unwanted possessions is an essential element of downsizing. Trying to squeeze
all of your stuff into a smaller home is a recipe for unmanageable clutter. Give yourself some
breathing room in your new home by paring down your belongings! Of course, sorting through
years and years — and possible decades — of stuff can be extremely overwhelming, so it’s
always important to start with a plan. Instead of picking out the stuff you don’t want and
keeping the rest, do the opposite: Select the items you really love and sort through everything
else. You’ll be able to get rid of a lot more this way!
all of your stuff into a smaller home is a recipe for unmanageable clutter. Give yourself some
breathing room in your new home by paring down your belongings! Of course, sorting through
years and years — and possible decades — of stuff can be extremely overwhelming, so it’s
always important to start with a plan. Instead of picking out the stuff you don’t want and
keeping the rest, do the opposite: Select the items you really love and sort through everything
else. You’ll be able to get rid of a lot more this way!
Another great way to pare down is to get rid of any duplicates cluttering your cupboards and
drawers. You likely don’t need more than one or two giant stockpots, roasting pans, or cookie s
heets, so keep your favorites and say goodbye to the rest. Organize My House recommends
against making a “maybe” pile as you sort your items, as this only creates extra work for you!
Decide whether you want to keep or get rid of each item the first time you pick it up.
drawers. You likely don’t need more than one or two giant stockpots, roasting pans, or cookie s
heets, so keep your favorites and say goodbye to the rest. Organize My House recommends
against making a “maybe” pile as you sort your items, as this only creates extra work for you!
Decide whether you want to keep or get rid of each item the first time you pick it up.
Saying Goodbye
The hardest part of downsizing is saying goodbye to your old life. You’re leaving behind a lot of
stuff, not to mention the place you’ve called home for many years, so it’s completely normal to
feel emotional. You may even experience a period of grief as you move on from your old home.
Taking steps to keep your old stuff out of the landfill can make it easier to say goodbye, so
donate, sell, and recycle everything you can. When it comes to parting with your home, Home
Hunters recommends taking a piece of it with you — even if it’s just a photograph. You could
even bring a favorite shrub from the yard and replant it at your new place!
stuff, not to mention the place you’ve called home for many years, so it’s completely normal to
feel emotional. You may even experience a period of grief as you move on from your old home.
Taking steps to keep your old stuff out of the landfill can make it easier to say goodbye, so
donate, sell, and recycle everything you can. When it comes to parting with your home, Home
Hunters recommends taking a piece of it with you — even if it’s just a photograph. You could
even bring a favorite shrub from the yard and replant it at your new place!
There’s something incredibly refreshing about decluttering your belongings and moving into a
smaller space. Downsizing lets you refocus your life on the things that really matter to you —
whether it be family, hobbies, or peaceful relaxation.
smaller space. Downsizing lets you refocus your life on the things that really matter to you —
whether it be family, hobbies, or peaceful relaxation.
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