Simplifying Downsizing for Seniors
Moving to a smaller home can be a major life transition for seniors. The tension of finding a new home, the anxiety of selling the old one, and the emotions involved with downsizing belongings can all be a little much for seniors to process on their own, which is why simplifying downsizing for seniors is so important. It allows seniors to process this major life shift and check the important tasks of their list with less pain and strife. So, if you are a senior who is looking to downsize or you’re helping a loved one, you should keep these simple steps in mind.
Try Homes Out Before You Commit to Buying
You wouldn’t dream of buying a car without driving it first, so why should you rush to buy a home? Making sure you have the right home to fit your needs will make your golden years much better, so consider using vacation rentals to test drive local homes too. As Turnkey explains, San Diego can be a perfect spot for seniors looking to retire in comfort, with its seemingly endless stretches of beaches and average temperatures in the 70s throughout the year. Also, communities such as La Jolla offer scenic, laid-back activities that are sure to fit everyone’s lifestyle. If that sounds like your idea of paradise, think about checking out a vacation rental in this prime Southern California spot.
Hire a Senior Move Manager to Ease Your Stress
One of the easiest steps in simplifying downsizing for seniors is to use a senior move manager. These highly trained professionals have experience helping senior with each and every step involved with downsizing. From helping you declutter your home to assisting you with relocation, a senior move manager could just be your ticket to a completely stress-free move. These services aren’t always cheap, so make sure this service is in your move budget and that you will be able to afford other help as well, such as professional movers.
Have a Family Member Help Out With Move Tasks
There are a lot of steps involved with downsizing your home. So, if you don’t hire a senior move manager, you may get stressed out handling them all on your own. For one, you need to start decluttering your home to get ready for the big move, which can be emotionally draining and even physically risky for seniors. So, ask your kids, grand kids, or other family members to help you with the process. Family can be helpful for other ventures as well, like finding a real estate agent who can help you find the next home of your dreams.
Begin Looking for Your Smaller Home Online or on a local website
Having a real estate agent you can depend on, and who has worked with seniors before, can make your home search easier. Still, you may not be able to go out looking for potential homes all of the time. Mobility issues can make getting out and physically searching for homes a challenge for many older adults. Thankfully, there are apps you can use to search homes online. Many of these tools even allow you to narrow your search by specific features, such as those with accessible floor plans. So, use these tools to browse for homes but use an experienced local realtor when it comes to time to actually start viewing homes.
Plan Out Your New Home Budget and Stick to It
We mentioned coming up with a moving budget earlier but you also need to figure out how much home you can afford. You need to take stock of your retirement savings and other financial assets, but online mortgage calculators can help as well. These handy tools allow you to input your income and expenses so you can actually see how much you can expect to pay monthly for your new home. Once you have a figure that fits with your budget, relay that information to your realtor so you can narrow your home search even further.
Simplifying downsizing for seniors doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re a senior looking to move into a smaller home, you just need a few tools and tips to make the process smoother. So, keep this guide handy and be sure to connect with a local real estate pro.
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