Moving to a Smaller Home

Did you close on a new condo or smaller home and are ready to start packing up the four bedroom you just sold? You have a tall order ahead of you, packing up your life and storing it in a home half the size of what you are used to. Whether you're downsizing to save money on bills or are a new empty nester, here are some helpful tips to get you ready for your big (or small) move.

Declutter, Declutter, Declutter

Moving into a smaller home means less room for furniture, clothing, gear, and all that “stuff.” Make sure each item you’re packing up has a dedicated space and purpose in your new home. If your youngest just moved to college, consider finally donating some of their childhood clothes and toys. If you’re not ready to get rid of all of it yet, use clearly labeled bins or boxes to store memorabilia. We love using vacuum sealed storage bags to save room and keep everything organized.

Start Early

Packing takes longer than you think, and if you’re seriously downsizing, it can take even longer to decide what to keep and what to get rid of, on top of all the other considerations. The earlier you start packing up and clearing out, the more time you’ll have to make decisions about what you’re taking with you into the next chapter. This will also give you more time to sell your furniture or unwanted items.

Keep Track

As you chip away at packing, consider keeping an inventory of all your things in a list or spreadsheet. This will help make sure you’re not bringing along duplicates you don’t need that will take up extra space, while also helping you keep track of what you want to keep, sell, donate, and trash. Try color-coding or making a column for each category to stay organized. This can be a great system if you’re packing as a couple or a family to make sure you’re all on the same page about what’s going where. If you’re not the spreadsheet type, check out this awesome app that helps you manage your inventory of totes and boxes. 

Budget

While you will save money on bills and maintenance in the long run, downsizing also has its costs. You may need to replace many of your furniture pieces, and, if you have important things you can’t fit into your new home, you will have to pay for a storage unit to keep them safe. Make sure you’re considering these factors in your final budget.

Measure

Before hauling all your furniture to your new place, take down all the big pieces’ measurements to make sure they’ll fit where you want them to. If not, sell or donate the old furniture and buy pieces that will fit your new home just right. If there are items you like that won’t end up fitting where you’d initially planned, figure out if you can repurpose them for another function or area in the house.

Consider Storage

No matter how much storage a home may have, it never seems to be enough. Brainstorm different ways to integrate storage into your new home to make the downsizing process a little easier. Scattering storage benches and ottomans, shelving, and hooks throughout your home can make a major difference when it comes time to start putting the little things away. Plus, it will keep things looking tidy with clutter like coats and blankets out of the way!

Stick to the essentials

As you prepare for your move, resist the temptation of buying anything new for your home until after you move in. Make sure everything you already have has a place of its own before adding any more things into the equation. This will help you avoid waste and clutter, as well as keeping your moving boxes as light as possible. 

Downsizing can feel like a big undertaking, but with the proper planning, can be relatively seamless and save you thousands of dollars in bills over the years. If you’re ready to start your downsizing journey, connect with our team of friendly and knowledgeable agents to find the right home for your next chapter.