Buying a Home that’s Smaller: Why Downsizing Could Be Better

Buying a Home that’s Smaller: Why A Smaller House Could Be Better
In the past forty years a trend has developed in the real estate market: Bigger is Better! Unfortunately, with larger homes comes much more responsibility; financially, mentally and physically. Buying a smaller home may resolve the stress, the bliss and the constant maintenance and mowing… Downsizing may be the answer.
Why Downsize?
Home buyers downsize for many reasons, the most typical being that they’re empty nesters and don’t need the pressure of maintaining a larger home. Another usual reason is lack of cash flow, as we saw when the economic crisis hit North America and many were forced out of their bigger houses. Some people simply want an easier way of life: a simpler existence with less impact on the Earth, and their wallets.
There are lots of advantages to making the move to a cozier place:
With a smaller house or condo comes a smaller plot of land: less yardspace to maintain. The time that used to be spent trimming and mowing can now be dedicated to other projects.
With less house comes less cleaning time! Think about how much time that gets shaved off of your mopping and vacuuming schedule when you eliminate a thousand square feet or so. Again, time that could be devoted to hobbies, travel or quality hours with your family.
Financially speaking, selling a house and downsizing can make a tremendous impact on your style and quality of living. Families that previously found themselves constantly strapped for cash become free to use their hard-earned money on things other than steep mortgage payments, soaringutility bills and larger property taxes.
When you sacrifice on space, you are gaining on extra cash which can provide countless opportunities: think of more travel time, more time with your family, more time for hobbies, or more cash flow for home improvements.
Downsizing 101: What to Look For
When buying a smaller home, there are many factors to take into consideration.
• Make sure you think about your family’s needs. Do you need to be close to a school, or removed from a family community?
• Is the neighbourhood or building pet-friendly?
• What is the size of the yard?
• Will the majority of your belongings fit into the new house?
• What are the main features that you can’t live without? (e.g. large master bathroom, craft room, office, etc.)
How to Make the Move
Before you set out to your smaller abode, a possession purge may be in order. Your new home will not have the same amount of storage and a few changes may need to happen.
Take stock of your furniture and make sure it will all fit into the new place. If not, a shopping trip might be needed; replace your sectional with something smaller.
If you have enough time, plan a garage sale to get rid of furniture and knick knacks that will take up precious space in your new home. Donate the gently used items that don’t sell; don’t take them with you!
Shred all of your old paperwork that isn’t needed anymore and make a trip to the recycle depot in your community with old electronics.
Plan out the use of every new room before you move in. Because of the smaller space, you will need to turn a room or two into multi-purpose rooms (i.e. an office / guest room).
Downsizing is an adventure that can help you and your family enjoy more opportunities that life has to offer. Embrace the opportunity and repeat: Smaller can be Better!

Researching options in Spruce Grove Real Estate led me to a breakthrough, that having just enough rooms for everything isn't always the answer. Smaller can be better. Learn More from Lisa Rice at www.lisarice.ca