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A Simple Downsizing Guide for Seniors: 11 Helpful Tips

Are you tired of maintaining a big, empty house? Downsizing can give you a fresh start in your senior years! By getting rid of things you no longer need and moving into a smaller space, you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your favorite retirement activities. Plus, downsizing is the perfect opportunity to move closer to loved ones or escape the frigid winter weather. If you’ve been thinking about downsizing, check out these helpful tips and resources!

Find the Perfect Smaller Home

When it comes to finding a smaller home, you’ll need to consider your budget, space requirements, and ideal location.

Review local home listings to help establish your buying budget.
Downsizing is more about finding a home that’s the right size for you rather than the smallest possible space you can fit into.
Review the cost of living in places you’re looking to buy.
Find a great real estate agent with experience helping seniors downsize.

Declutter Your Things

Decluttering is the hardest part of downsizing. To make the process easier, choose a popular decluttering method and consider hiring an expert for support.

Consider sticking with a tried-and-true decluttering method.
When dealing with the stuff you no longer want, you can donate, sell, recycle, or give away these items.
You can even hire a professional organizer to help you declutter.
Don’t get rid of possessions you love—you can always find ways to fit things into a smaller space.

Prepare for Your Move

Once you’ve decluttered your home, you can start packing everything up for your move. Remember to book your movers in advance so you have plenty of options to choose from!

Search online for reputable moving companies so you can compare costs and customer reviews.
Pack your remaining belongings room by room for easy unpacking later.
Make a list of all the small things you’ll need to do before moving, like notifying the post office of your change of address.

If your home is starting to feel too big, moving into a smaller space is a great way to improve your quality of life. Just be sure to plan well in advance for this big transition. Start decluttering your things, looking at real estate listings online, and reviewing moving companies today! Downsizing will be much easier when you’re prepared.