Think Small: The Many Benefits of Downsizing

Ever feel like less is more? The old adage can definitely apply when it comes to downsizing your home. Moving from a larger house to a smaller home offers many benefits, from lower costs to less maintenance. 

People downsize for several reasons; maybe you're about to retire, your kids have grown and left the nest, or you simply want to save money on housing costs. No matter the reason, downsizing often means a life upgrade. 

Here are a few benefits of downsizing your home.

More Cash Flow

Let's start with the financial benefits: Lower mortgage, taxes, and insurance payments mean more cash in your pocket. In addition, when you choose a smaller home, housing-related costs tend to drop. 

When your cash flow increases, you'll have more options available. Perhaps you want to pay down debt, save the money for retirement (or a rainy day), invest for the future, take that trip you've always dreamed of, or simply put the extra money toward purchasing a new, smaller home. 

Lower Utility Costs

Another benefit: Smaller homes tend to have lower utility expenses. Of course, costs of utilities like electricity, water, and natural gas vary significantly from place to place, given climate and geographical differences.  But in general, a home with a smaller footprint means lower utility bills. For example, square footage makes a difference in heating and cooling, which are generally reliant on electricity or natural gas. Plus, a smaller yard usually means less water consumption. 

Less Time Spent on Household Tasks

One benefit of downsizing that many don't realize after they move? Exactly how much time they get back. 

When you live in a smaller house with fewer rooms, that translates into less space to clean and maintain. For example, think about how long it would take to clean a four-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2,500 square foot home and compare that to the time needed to clean a two-bedroom, one-bathroom, 1,000 square foot home. 

The difference is often significant. Smaller homes tend to require less maintenance, too. Research shows that up to 36 percent of downsizers do so because their previous space was too challenging to clean and maintain.

Reduce Clutter

Living in a smaller home can help you reduce clutter. Realistically, you'll need to declutter when you downsize, as there's simply not as much space in your new home. Think of it as a chance to embrace simplicity. 

When you're preparing to move to your new home, give yourself plenty of time to go through your belongings and decide what to take with you to your new residence. It can help to organize everything you own into three categories:

• Sell

• Donate/give away

• Keep

The decluttering process can be emotional, so take your time. Take it one room at a time — or even one space within a room at a time. Keeping your new home's square footage, storage space, and layout in mind while you go through your items can help you make those tough decisions about what you need and what you have room for. 

Downsizing offers many benefits. From lower costs to less maintenance, it's a great way to simplify your life.

We Are Ready When You Are

If you are considering a move, we are ready to help when you decide. Contact us for a free quote today. We can help make your transition smooth. We can help with everything from packing and loading to unloading and unpacking at your new home.