Are there rooms in your current house that you never use? Have you thought of finding a place near the beach or on a quaint town square? Have you discovered at the age of 50 that you no longer want to do yard work and home maintenance, but instead you want to travel more often and you need a no-hassle place to live? Are you living in the house where you raised four children and waiting for them to haul off their childhood mementos and their grandmother’s china? Do you hang onto the 4,200-square-foot house so the kids can visit once in a while – but they rarely do? Are you tired of commuting 75 minutes one way and need to move closer to work to save your sanity? Are you worried about the already-falling demand for large houses? If any of these scenarios sounds familiar, then it’s time!
Ready to Downsize? Answer These Questions.
Quick Quiz about Downsizing Have you ever thought about selling your large house and moving to a smaller one? Are there rooms in your house that you never use? Are there rooms and closets in your house so jammed with "stuff" that you either hate going in there, or don't go in there at all? Do you feel a little "stale" in your house and believe a total re-do of your life and style would be fun? Do you long for a simpler life that allows you more freedom from chores and more flexibility to travel? Are you afraid of what the next ten or twenty years has in store for you if you stay put? Do you worry about the wear and tear and expensive maintenance on your house as time goes on? If you answered YES to two or more of those questions, then the time is right to start the process. In addition to all the other reasons for downsizing "sooner rather than later" that are listed throughout this site (fewer people interested in large houses in the suburbs, growing demand for smaller homes and … Read More about Ready to Downsize? Answer These Questions.
Downsizing Hesitation May Lead to Regrets
One of the biggest issues facing people who are considering downsizing is the demographic storm that's about to occur. Consider these facts: Millennials and downsizing baby boomers are interested in the same types of urban housing (near walkable city centers, bike trails, cultural events, parks, universities, etc.), but there's a limited supply, which is driving up prices for these properties. (National Association of Home Builders, "55+ Housing Market Shows Continued Growth") A flood of art and antiques that are no longer needed or loved are hitting the market, and with this greater supply comes lower prices. (Be forewarned: the longer people wait to sell their house and their beloved stuff, the less it will be worth). (NYT, 3/4/17) While some baby boomers want to stay put and age in place -- and are quite happy leaving their homes "feet first" and letting their children deal with the mess after they're gone -- others want an active retirement in a quaint walkable village … Read More about Downsizing Hesitation May Lead to Regrets