5 Downsizing Tips for Your Home

The decision to downsize to a senior living community is a big step, but one that will be tremendously rewarding for you or your loved one. That said, we know the list of to-dos that follow the decision can be overwhelming! Where do you begin? From decluttering to getting your current home ready to sell to finding a realtor and planning your move, these downsizing tips can make the process much easier.

5 downsizing tips to prep your home for sale

It's key that you approach prepping the house from as practical a standpoint as possible. While it's hard to be objective when viewing your home through the lens of all the memories you've made there, it can help to try to look at it through the eyes of potential buyers instead as you consider these downsizing tips.

#1: Small updates can make a big difference

A fresh coat of paint and updated lighting can really freshen up a space. However, it's best to go with neutral colors and fixtures to appeal to the widest group of buyers.

#2: Invest where you'll get the most return

There's likely no need for a top-to-bottom home makeover, but there are certain areas of the home where updates count the most, such as kitchens, bathrooms, landscaping, and exterior updates like siding, paint, and the front entry.

#3: Declutter and depersonalize the space

It's hard for buyers to be able to picture themselves living in the home and building their own memories if it's filled to the brim with your personal photos and keepsakes. Too much clutter is a distraction as well. As such, make sure to clean out your closets and cabinets, clear off surfaces, and remove those personal touches. Consider it an early start to packing since you'll need to do this anyway to downsize into a new space. Another downsizing tip is to divide items into categories such as keep, donate, gift to family or friends, and throw away or recycle.

#4: Stage the house for buyers

First impressions definitely matter to buyers, so it's essential to stage your home so it's as welcoming as possible by turning on the lights, opening the drapes, fluffing the pillows, and having everything picked up and polished. You can also add extra touches like music in the background, using fresh, comforting scents, and/or even setting out snacks.

#5: Avoid surprises - get your own inspection

It's not uncommon for issues to come up during the buyer's inspection that the homeowner is unaware of. Those surprises can quickly derail a sale, so we recommend taking a proactive approach and having your own inspection first. That way, you can deal with any issues beforehand and/or consider purchasing a one-year home warranty plan to cover repairs and replacement during the first year. This gives the buyer peace of mind, particularly when buying an older home.

Tips for selling your home

Another downsizing tip we can offer is that you don't necessarily have to follow a linear process. If you have the capacity to start finding a real estate agent while you're prepping the home, go for it. In fact, real estate agents can help guide you through the home prep process because they know the market and what buyers are looking for.

The key is to find the right real estate agent. The best way to start your search is to ask family, friends, acquaintances, and neighbors for referrals. From there, choose two to three options to vet more fully and set up an appointment with each at your home. These questions can help you compare:

• What houses in this neighborhood have you sold in the past year?
• What price range are houses in the neighborhood selling for?
• Based on the comparable home sales (“comps”) in the neighborhood, how should this house be priced to sell?
• How will you market the house?
• What commissions and fees will you charge to sell the house?
• Do you see any issues with the house that need to be addressed before putting it on the market?
• Will I work with you directly or with a team member?
• How long is the contract?
• Do you have experience working with retirees who are downsizing?

Planning the move

It may feel like the actual move to senior living is a way off, but our final downsizing tip is to really consider early on whether you want to move yourself or hire professional movers, as this can impact how much you pack versus store when decluttering and prepping your home for sale. When determining cost, you'll need to factor in the number of boxes needed, the size of your furniture, whether you'll be going up or down the stairs, and the distance of the move. And remember, it doesn't necessarily have to be one way or the other. It may work better for your budget to pack much of it yourself and leave the bigger items and space like the kitchen for a moving company.

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