Preparing To Downsize

Thinking about transitioning from single-family to condo lifestyle? Not sure where to start? The process can oftentimes feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help get you started on your big move. 

Chat with a Realtor® About Your Current Home

Although it may feel as if there’s no urgency to downsize, timing the sale of your current home to match the market conditions is key! A Realtor® can help you perfectly time the listing of your home to get the best offers and make the most money. Having a professional to guide you through selling your current home will allow you to focus on “what’s next”. 

Discuss What Style of Home Suits You Best

There are many options when it comes to condominium-style living. Standalone condo units give the feel of single-family living with the ease of a maintenance-free lifestyle, while connected units can give a sense of community. Are you looking to eliminate stairs in your next home? Search for a ranch-style layout with an owner’s suite on the main level. If you’re still comfortable with a two-story plan, a townhome may be another option for your downsize. And don’t forget about the details - width of doorways, bathroom accessibility options, and type of flooring are all items to consider if you’re looking to "age in place”. In addition, if you know you’re going to need a lot of storage space in your home, be sure to seek out a floor plan with a basement.

Determine What Square Footage You’re Comfortable With

This can be tricky! You may start thinking, “but I still need a formal dining room for the holidays”! It’s important to think through the spaces you will use daily. Look for a floor plan that best suits your daily needs first, and then offers optional “secondary spaces” that you can flex-use for those holidays and hosting opportunities. Layouts with dens, sunrooms, or large eat-in kitchens can offer multi-purpose opportunities and you can re-design those spaces as you settle into your new home. 

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

This is another great opportunity to lean on your Realtor® for guidance. They will make recommendations on how to best stage your home for a successful sale. Streamlining the interior of your home will be important, and it may be beneficial to hire a home staging company to help make your home the most aesthetically pleasing house on the market! Items such as furniture placement, paint colors, décor, and window treatments are all key to setting your home apart from the competition. 

Time to Start Packing 

Packing up a home you’ve lived in for years can be emotional. Don’t overwhelm yourself; take it one room at a time! If you’re not quite ready yet to determine which items “make the cut”, you can ease the burden by moving items to a temporary storage unit to allow yourself more time to go through them. If you’re starting to feel stressed during your packing process, seek out the talents of a professional home organizer. They can help you determine which items make your “must-have” list and can create an organizational plan to help ease the burden of packing and moving.  

Downsizing can be a complex process, but with the help of professionals, and by taking things step-by-step you’ll be confident as you transition to a new streamlined lifestyle, with less maintenance and worry, and you’ll have more time to enjoy your brand-new home.