Is It Time To Downsize?

Does the walk to your front door seem to grow longer by the year? Or, do chores seem to takemore time with each passing week? If so, it might be time to downsize. As hard as it is to saygoodbye before you're ready, downsizing is easier when you do it early instead of waiting untilyour health demands it. Not every older adult needs to downsize, but it's a smart choice for many. Not only are bighomes tough to keep clean as you grow older, but a home that's too big could pose a risk toyour safety. In a small, low-maintenance home where everything you need is nearby, you'reless likely to get hurt walking up stairs or mowing the lawn.

Downsizing also offers economic benefits. In the right market, seniors can sell a home,purchase a more affordable home, and use the difference to buffer retirement savings or fundtravel. Unfortunately, many older adults avoid downsizing not because they wouldn't prefer a moreconvenient home, but because they dread the process itself. Selling a home is a time-consuming process, especially if the home requires updates to meet market demands. Inaddition to selling and moving, seniors have to downsize their stuff in order to fit comfortably intoa smaller home. It's a big, emotionally demanding process, and it's understandable why seniors might shy away. However, the temporary workload of moving house is better than staying put and risking injuryin a home not suited to aging in place. A family home in the suburbs also isn't what most seniorstoday are looking for: As The New York Times reports, modern older adults want to live inwalkable communities where they can live, shop and socialize without relying on a car. As unpleasant as moving is, the long-term benefit of living in a safe, accessible home andcommunity is worth the effort of downsizing. And while it may not be a joy, the process itselfdoesn't have to be burdensome when seniors follow these tips:

1. Don't rush downsizing. Sorting through a lifetime of belongings is overwhelming. There’s a lot to be donated, discarded and sold, like bulky furniture that won’t fit in asmaller home. Rather than let the process delay a necessary move, seniors shoulddetermine what will fit in the future home and store the rest somewhere they can workthrough it gradually. For a few small boxes, asking family to spare a closet should work. But if there’s a lot of stuff, a storage unit is a better choice. For example, storage units inPrescott Valley, Arizona, range from $54 - $113, making it an inexpensive way to buysome time.
2. Know what you need in a home. It's not enough to buy a smaller house. Seniors needa home that accounts for future mobility changes. That means, at minimum, a one-storyhome with plenty of lighting and even flooring. The National Association of HomeBuilders lists additional features that make a home suitable for aging in place.
3. Update your home to sell (but not too much). A home that's outdated is hard to sell,even if it's in great condition. Seniors should modernize their homes with small,inexpensive changes such as replacing lighting fixtures and cabinet hardware with morecontemporary selections and swapping wallpaper for neutral-colored paint. However,seniors should talk to their real estate agent before investing in major changes to thehome.
4. Hire movers. Trying to save money with a DIY move could become expensive fast ifsomeone gets hurt. Seniors should hire movers who can pack, load and transport theiritems, taking care to choose an insured company. If overseeing moving crews is toomuch for the senior, Moving. com recommends hiring a Senior Move Manager. Downsizing to a smaller home is a lot of work, but the payoff is worth it. When older adults makethe switch to a downsized home, they can enjoy their retirement years without worrying aboutfalling or maintaining a large home. That means more energy for living retirement the way it’smeant to be lived: seeing family and friends, pursuing the things you love and enjoying a slowerpace of life.