There is a whole host of reasons why you might starting making house downsizing considerations, some of which we have previously discussed. There are, however, some downsizing considerations to be made before taking the plunge. From lower utility costs to accessibility concerns, house downsizing can often be the most suitable option for someone, irrespective of their age, location or wealth. You don’t need to be retired with an empty nest to be drawn to smaller, more manageable properties!
However, there are a number of key points to bear in mind if you’re looking to downsize. None of the downsizing considerations we’ve outlined below should prevent you from purchasing a smaller property, if you feel that is the best option for you. However, they will hopefully provide you with some guidance on how to choose the right property and what to consider logistically.
House Downsizing, Garden Downsizing?
Too often when we’re assessing properties, particularly when searching online, we forget that the garden can be just as important as the house and location. Before you begin your property search, think carefully about what you would be willing to sacrifice in order to have a smaller physical building. This is a particularly important consideration if you plan to move from a house with a garden to a property completely without one, such as the vast majority of flats. Such a dramatic change will take some getting used to, and it is certainly worth investigating whether there are any green public areas nearby.
Spotting The Potential Of Multi-Purpose Rooms
When you’re viewing potential properties during your house downsizing search, it is worth taking a moment in each room to consider how you can most effectively utilise the available space. Often it is more helpful to look at the overall size in square feet or square metres rather than the number of bedrooms. For example, if you plan to downsize to a property that would leave you without a permanent spare room, is there anywhere that could be made suitable for guests to stay over? Sofa beds are well known but there is now much more choice of multi-functional or space saving furniture available which can transform a living room or study into a multi-functional space that works for you and your family.
House Downsizing – An Exercise in De-Cluttering
When moving to a smaller property, one of the most common challenges can be finding places to put all your stuff. Try and accept early on that you’re going to need to de-clutter. One trap our clients often fall into is trying to buy a new, smaller home around their existing furniture. Whilst it can be an upheaval to change, the new house is probably the most expensive thing you will ever buy so should always be one of the most important downsizing considerations. One of the easiest methods of freeing up space is to offload any unnecessary furniture. Whilst smaller items can easily be dropped off at a charity shop, furniture requires a bit more thought. If you want to make some money on your unwanted items, it is certainly worth trying to sell them online through the likes of EBay. Alternatively, if you’re feeling charitable, some organisations such as the British Heart Foundation will now collect furniture directly from your house, ready to then sell on for a good cause. If you would like to hold onto your belongings but still worry about space, there are numerous companies out there that offer self-storage facilities at relatively cheap prices.
Buying Agent Partnership has years of experience in helping people to downsize, whatever their circumstance. Contact us on 0330 223 6339 to discuss how we can help you.
