Have you been paying attention to the real estate market over the last year and thinking about making a change?  Forti Homes is a real estate brokerage that often has conversations with older adults about selling larger homes and buying something smaller in order to fit their lifestyle and continue to safely age in place.

It can be overwhelming to think about downsizing — moving to a smaller home than you have now.  If the thought has crossed your mind, read on to learn about some considerations that can guide you toward the best decision for you.

Is Downsizing Part of Your Aging in Place Plan?

Freedom of time. Time is by far the most important asset we have in life. Have you ever thought about how much time you spend cleaning inside and outside (even if it’s just “straightening up”).

In retirement, instead of doing the big or small things around our home, this time could be spent participating in hobbies you enjoy or relaxing with family and friends. Moving into a smaller place may allow for new opportunities to pursue more of the things you love.

Safety and physical health improvements Owning a larger home can cause more physical drain than you realize. Between mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters, plowing snow, cleaning multiple bathrooms, etc. – this all adds up to several hours of physical labor every week and month or an additional strain on your budget if you hire outside help to perform these tasks.

Additionally, downsizing to a home with minimal or no steps may feel more comfortable as you age. Hazards throughout the home are one of the leading causes of falls, which is one reason why downsizing can help you to prioritize your safety in the long term.

Reduce expenses You may be paying for services like lawn care, snow removal, or housekeeping. These expenses add up over time. Additionally, the energy costs and property taxes will decrease in a smaller space. The freedom of releasing these monetary obligations can make a huge difference for your financial wellness.

Release the chains of your stuff  We all know how much we love our stuff.  The average American home contains 300,000 items and one in four Americans has a clutter problem!

As meaningful as our things are, the more space you have – the more likely you are to accumulate more stuff you don’t really need.

To quote the queen of organizing Marie Kondo, “Human beings can only truly cherish a limited number of things at one time.”  Donating, gifting, or throwing away items can be emotional but it also gives you an opportunity to reassess what is truly important.

Check out the Buy Nothing Project and join your hyper-local group on Facebook and join the movement.  It is a great way to declutter and ensure your things stay out of the landfill and in use and reuse. 

Should You Stay or Should You Go

Downsizing isn’t right for everyone – especially when thinking about timing. It can take a significant emotional, mental, and physical toll to clean out and move from your home. During these ongoing uncertain times, it may be scary to think about making a big change.

We hope this article provided you with some guidance about if downsizing is the right move for you.  If you decide you may want to downsize, it can help to find an expert to work with who will support and advocate for you in the buying, selling, and moving process.

 

Contributed by:

Sarah Forti is a lifetime resident of the Philadelphia and Main Line area with over 16 years of real estate experience and the founder of the Forti Homes, Keller Williams Devon-Wayne team.

She is a fierce advocate for her clients and a wealth of knowledge in all things real estate. She has represented hundreds of home buyers and sellers on their most valuable investment.

If you have any questions or would like to reach Sarah or Gina, you can send them an email at sarah@fortihomes.com or gina@fortihomes.com, call them at 610-688-0115, or check out their website at www.fortihomes.com

Gina Bass is a licensed social worker turned real estate professional who specializes in helping and supporting individuals who are transitioning into their next phase of life by assisting them in finding their “right sized” home.

With 6 years of experience in healthcare (including time at Friends Life Care) and a year of experience in the real estate industry, she brings a unique perspective to her work and the Forti Homes team.

 

 

Friends Life Care appreciates this post about ways to age in place successfully, written for the eMeetinghouse blog. Friends Life Care is a mission-driven nonprofit that has been helping older adults to thrive at home as they age.  Connect with us if you have questions for one of our Plan Counselors on joining.  Or, if you are a member, for your Wellness or Care Coordinator. We’d love to hear from you.