• The Alan Donald Team at Keller Williams Realty
  • (843) 900-0155
  • Register
  • Login
Logo
  • HOME
  • SEARCH
  • 55+
  • PROBATE
  • SELL
    • How Much Is My Home Worth?
  • BUY
    • SUBDIVISIONS
    • MOBILE APP
    • First-Time Home Buyers
    • New Construction
    • Foreclosures & Short Sales
    • Retiring In Charleston
    • Investors
  • BLOG
  • INFO
    • About Us
    • Charleston Zip Codes & MLS Areas
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Our YouTube Channel
    • About Our Team
    • Charleston Area Info
    • Areas/Neighborhoods
      • Daniel Island
      • Mount Pleasant
      • Summerville
      • Downtown Charleston
    • Subdivisions
    • Buying A Home After Bankruptcy
    • Foreclosure
    • Finance
    • Real Estate Glossary
  • CONTACT
  • ESPAÑOL
  • HOME
  • SEARCH
  • 55+
  • PROBATE
  • SELL
    • How Much Is My Home Worth?
  • BUY
    • SUBDIVISIONS
    • MOBILE APP
    • First-Time Home Buyers
    • New Construction
    • Foreclosures & Short Sales
    • Retiring In Charleston
    • Investors
  • BLOG
  • INFO
    • About Us
    • Charleston Zip Codes & MLS Areas
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Our YouTube Channel
    • About Our Team
    • Charleston Area Info
    • Areas/Neighborhoods
      • Daniel Island
      • Mount Pleasant
      • Summerville
      • Downtown Charleston
    • Subdivisions
    • Buying A Home After Bankruptcy
    • Foreclosure
    • Finance
    • Real Estate Glossary
  • CONTACT
  • ESPAÑOL

5-Step Strategy for Downsizing Your Home

  • ← Disadvantages of Home Ownership
  • Serious About Selling? 5 Steps to Make Your Home the Best on the Block →
Posted By Alan Donald @ Aug 18th 2019 1:00pm In: Retirement

5 Step Strategy for Downsizing Your Home

Downsizing for RetirementIn our “bigger is better” culture, there’s an expectation that each home should be larger and grander than the last. But life changes like divorce, kids leaving for college, or even the simple act of growing older can prompt us to find a smaller home that better suits our shifting needs and lifestyle.

In fact, the advantages of downsizing are being increasingly recognized. A “tiny house movement” has gained passionate advocates who appreciate the benefits of living simply at any age and stage of life. Not only does a smaller home typically cost less, it also takes less time and effort to maintain.

Whatever your reasons are for downsizing, the process can seem overwhelming. That’s why we’ve outlined five steps to guide you on your journey. And in the end, we hope you’ll find that less is more … more comfort, more security, and more time and energy to spend on the activities and the people that you love.


5 STEPS TO DOWNSIZING SUCCESS

1. Determine Your Goals and Limitations
The first step is to figure out your goals for your new living environment. Do you want to live closer to family? Are you hoping to cut down on home maintenance? Are you looking for a community with certain amenities?

You should also consider any limitations that will impact the home you choose. For example, are stairs an issue? Do you need access to medical care? In the case of divorce, are there child-custody issues you need to take into account?

Estimate how long you plan to stay in your new home. Do you expect your needs to change during that time?

Make a “wish list” of features and prioritize them from most to least important. If you’d like any assistance with this process, give us a call! We’d be happy to sit down with you for a free consultation. We can also help you assess the value of your current home so you can set a realistic budget for your new one.

2. Find the Perfect New Home
Once you’ve established your “wish list,” we can begin the search for your new home. As local market experts, we know the ins and outs of all the top communities in our area. We can help you determine the neighborhood and type of home that will best fit your wants and needs.

From family neighborhoods to retirement communities, we serve clients in all stages of life. If you or a loved one are in need of extended support, we can also share our knowledge of the assisted living facilities in town and help you identify those that offer the optimal level of care.

Are you planning to relocate out of town? We can refer you to a trusted real estate professional in your target area who can help you with your search.

3. Sell Your Current Home
If you’re ready to sell your current home, we’ll begin the process of preparing to list it as we search for your new one.

We have a special interest in helping homeowners who are facing major life transitions, and we offer a full-service real estate experience that aims to remove as much of the stress and hassle of selling your home as possible. We also understand that many of our clients choose to downsize for financial reasons, so we employ tactics and strategies to maximize the potential sales revenue of your home.

We do this by employing our proven three-part approach, which focuses on optimum preparation, pricing, and promotion. As part of that plan, we invest in an aggressive marketing strategy that utilizes online and social media platforms to connect with consumers and offline channels to connect with local real estate agents. This ensures your property gets maximum exposure to prospective buyers.

4. Sort and Pack Your Belongings
Even before you find your new home, you can begin preparing for your move. A smaller home means less space for your furniture and other possessions, so you will need to decide what to keep and what to sell or donate. Sorting through an entire house full of belongings will take time, so begin as early as possible.

Parting with personal possessions can be an extremely emotional process. Start with a small, unemotional space like a laundry or powder room and work your way up to larger rooms. Focus on eliminating duplicates and anything you don’t regularly use. If you have sentimental pieces, family heirlooms, or just useful items you no longer need, think about who in your life would benefit from having them. For large collections, consider keeping one or two favorite pieces and photographing the rest to put in an album.2

Make sure the items you keep help you achieve the goals you outlined in Step 1. For example, if you want a home that’s easier to clean, cut down on knickknacks that require frequent dusting. If you’re moving to be closer to your grandchildren, choose the shatterproof plates over the antique china.

Allow yourself time to take breaks if you start to feel overwhelmed. If you’re helping a loved one with a move, try to be a patient listener if they want to stop and share stories about particular items or memories throughout the process.3 This can be therapeutic for them and an opportunity for you to learn family history that may otherwise have been forgotten.

5. Get Help When You Need It
Moving is stressful in any situation. But if you’re downsizing due to health issues or a major life change, it can be an especially tough transition. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Seek out friends and family members who can assist with packing and decluttering. If that’s not an option, or if you need additional help, consider hiring a home organizer, full-service moving company, or even a senior move manager, which is a professional who assists older adults and their families with the physical and emotional aspects of relocation.4 You can find one accredited by the National Association of Senior Move Managers at https://www.nasmm.org/find/index.cfm.

If financial constraints are holding back, let us know. We can help you explore the possibility of tapping into the equity in your current home now. That way you can afford to get the assistance you need to make your transition as smooth as possible.


ARE YOU LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE?
If your current home no longer suits your needs, maybe it’s time to consider a change. We would love to help you explore your options. Call/text 843-900-0155 or write me an email at alan@alandonald.com today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Search for Homes in 55+ Active Adult Communities in Charleston, SC. 


Sources:
1. The Tiny Life -
https://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/
2. My Move -
https://www.mymove.com/moving/senior-guide-downsizing/
3. Daily Caring -
https://dailycaring.com/5-tips-to-downsizing-for-seniors-keepsakes-mementos/
4. National Association of Senior Move Managers -
https://www.nasmm.org


Print This Post Email This Post
Share on Social Media:

Comments have been closed for this post.
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments.
  • ← Disadvantages of Home Ownership
  • Serious About Selling? 5 Steps to Make Your Home the Best on the Block →
  • Find Property
Search Detailed Search
For Buyers
For Sellers

Testimonials

We are proud to say that a very high percentage of our business comes from past clients and personal referrals. Here are a few testimonials from clients or allied resources that will give you an idea of the kind of service we provide. For more "visual" video testimonials, check out our YouTube Channel

Subdivisions

  • Daniel Island
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Summerville
  • Downtown Charleston
  • Goose Creek
  • Hanahan
  • Isle of Palms
  • James Island
  • Johns Island
  • Kiawah & Seabrook
  • North Charleston
  • Sullivans Island
  • West Ashley

Resources

  • Lifestyle
  • History
  • Arts, Culture & Tourism
  • Demographics & Statistics
  • K-12 Schools
  • Higher Education
  • Hospitals & Health
  • Local Area Governments & Utilities
  • Taxes
  • Sports
  • Hotels & Restaurants
  • Cool Places
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Places of Worship

About Us

The Alan Donald Real Estate Team at Keller Williams Realty is a group of professional, full-time REALTORS, consultants and service professionals specializing in residential real estate sales and services for the Charleston. SC Metro Area.

Read More...

Blog Posts

News About Nexton in Sumerville, SC
Fri, Jan 22nd 2021 5:26 pm

Attention Seniors: Avoid Reverse Mortgage Scams!
Thu, Jan 21st 2021 12:28 pm

Why Not to Wait Until Spring to Make a Move
Tue, Jan 5th 2021 1:04 pm

New 55+ Listing in Elms of Charleston
Fri, Jan 1st 2021 4:19 pm

Charleston in the News - January 2021 Edition
Fri, Jan 1st 2021 10:05 am

View More +

Blog Categories

  • All Categories (1270)
  • General (37)
  • Sellers (59)
  • Alans Listings (144)
  • Belle Hall Plantation (18)
  • Boeing (3)
  • Buyers (72)
  • Charleston (59)
  • Charleston Real Estate (80)
  • Daniel Island (22)
  • Events (67)
  • First Time Home Buyers (11)
  • Flood Insurance (1)
  • for sale (4)
  • For Sale By Owner (2)
  • Foreclosures (19)
  • Goose Creek (2)
  • Green Building (1)
  • Hanahan (2)
  • Home Care Tips (1)
  • Home Marketing (3)
  • Home Tips (1)
  • Humor (1)
  • Insurance (6)
  • International Real Estate (2)
  • Investors (7)
  • Isle of Palms (8)
  • James Island (3)
  • Ladson (1)
  • Land (2)
  • Legal (2)
  • Luxury Homes (16)
  • Market Opportunities (20)
  • Millenials (1)
  • Mortgages (43)
  • Mount Pleasant Listings (135)
  • Mt Pleasant Real Estate Market (53)
  • Negotiations (5)
  • Neighborhoods (3)
  • New Construction (7)
  • New Listings (132)
  • New Technology (1)
  • Newsletters (35)
  • North Charleston Listings (1)
  • Open Houses (1)
  • Personal Finance (4)
  • Probate (3)
  • Real Estate (99)
  • Rehabbing (1)
  • Renters (4)
  • Retirement (12)
  • Schools (2)
  • Senior Living (3)
  • Short Sales (11)
  • Spanish (1)
  • Sullivans Island (4)
  • Summerville Listings (10)
  • Taxes (7)
  • Technology for Real Estate (1)
  • Testimonials (6)
  • Vacation Rental (1)
  • Waterfront (8)

Blog Archives

  • January 2021 (6)
  • December 2020 (2)
  • November 2020 (4)
  • October 2020 (5)
  • September 2020 (4)
  • August 2020 (7)
  • July 2020 (2)
  • June 2020 (6)
  • May 2020 (5)
  • April 2020 (5)
  • March 2020 (2)
  • February 2020 (7)
  • January 2020 (3)
  • December 2019 (5)
  • November 2019 (5)
  • October 2019 (8)
  • September 2019 (9)
  • August 2019 (6)
  • July 2019 (2)
  • June 2019 (5)
  • May 2019 (4)
  • April 2019 (3)
  • March 2019 (8)
  • February 2019 (7)
  • January 2019 (6)
  • December 2018 (7)
  • November 2018 (6)
  • October 2018 (8)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (7)
  • July 2018 (6)
  • May 2018 (7)
  • April 2018 (7)
  • March 2018 (8)
  • February 2018 (8)
  • January 2018 (7)
  • December 2017 (7)
  • November 2017 (7)
  • October 2017 (2)
  • September 2017 (2)
  • August 2017 (5)
  • July 2017 (3)
  • June 2017 (3)
  • May 2017 (3)
  • April 2017 (7)
  • March 2017 (4)
  • February 2017 (7)
  • January 2017 (6)
  • December 2016 (10)
  • November 2016 (5)
  • October 2016 (5)
  • September 2016 (2)
  • August 2016 (6)
  • July 2016 (12)
  • June 2016 (7)
  • May 2016 (12)
  • April 2016 (10)
  • March 2016 (1)
  • February 2016 (7)
  • January 2016 (7)
  • December 2015 (4)
  • November 2015 (7)
  • October 2015 (16)
  • September 2015 (3)
  • August 2015 (7)
  • July 2015 (6)
  • June 2015 (6)
  • May 2015 (5)
  • April 2015 (6)
  • March 2015 (5)
  • February 2015 (6)
  • January 2015 (1)
  • December 2014 (1)
  • November 2014 (5)
  • October 2014 (4)
  • September 2014 (1)
  • August 2014 (2)
  • July 2014 (7)
  • June 2014 (6)
  • May 2014 (1)
  • March 2014 (3)
  • January 2014 (12)
  • December 2013 (3)
  • November 2013 (3)
  • October 2013 (21)
  • September 2013 (8)
  • August 2013 (5)
  • July 2013 (28)
  • June 2013 (17)
  • May 2013 (11)
  • April 2013 (9)
  • March 2013 (20)
  • February 2013 (22)
  • January 2013 (11)
  • December 2012 (1)
  • November 2012 (27)
  • October 2012 (18)
  • September 2012 (1)
  • July 2012 (44)
  • June 2012 (54)
  • May 2012 (39)
  • April 2012 (20)
  • March 2012 (38)
  • February 2012 (40)
  • January 2012 (21)
  • December 2011 (50)
  • November 2011 (11)
  • October 2011 (4)
  • September 2011 (6)
  • August 2011 (11)
  • July 2011 (3)
  • June 2011 (12)
  • May 2011 (16)
  • April 2011 (13)
  • March 2011 (38)
  • February 2011 (8)
  • January 2011 (1)
  • December 2010 (1)
  • November 2010 (2)
  • October 2010 (2)
  • September 2010 (2)
  • August 2010 (2)
  • July 2010 (4)
  • June 2010 (3)
  • May 2010 (6)
  • April 2010 (7)
  • March 2010 (10)
  • February 2010 (12)
  • January 2010 (10)
  • December 2009 (5)
  • November 2009 (10)
  • October 2009 (13)
  • September 2009 (15)
  • August 2009 (13)
  • July 2009 (19)
  • June 2009 (13)
  • May 2009 (24)
  • April 2009 (5)
  • March 2009 (1)

Contact Info

The Alan Donald Team at Keller Williams Realty
496 Bramson Ct. Suite 200
Mt. Pleasant SC 29464

Office: (843) 900-0155

alan@alandonald.com

Quick Links

  • Brickyard Plantation
  • Hamlin Plantation
  • Dunes West
  • Sweetgrass
  • Belle Hall
  • Park West
  • Snee Farm
  • Longpoint
  • Charleston National
  • Seaside Farms
  • Old Village
  • Rivertowne
  • I´On
  • Ravens Run

Recent Posts

News About Nexton in Sumerville, SC
Fri, Jan 22nd 2021 5:26 pm

Attention Seniors: Avoid Reverse Mortgage Scams!
Thu, Jan 21st 2021 12:28 pm

Why Not to Wait Until Spring to Make a Move
Tue, Jan 5th 2021 1:04 pm

New 55+ Listing in Elms of Charleston
Fri, Jan 1st 2021 4:19 pm

Charleston in the News - January 2021 Edition
Fri, Jan 1st 2021 10:05 am

View More +

New Listings

  • Today 11
  • January 23 33
  • January 22 108
  • January 21 99
  • January 20 94

© 2021 The Alan Donald Team | Keller Williams Realty Charleston-Mt Pleasant | Sitemap
Real Estate IDX Hosting by Dynamic IDX, LLC.
Website Designed by TinyMinute

Login



Create Profile   Lost Password?