If you’re moving to a smaller home in Scottsdale, whether it’s because you just don’t need the same amount of space or you’re looking for something more cost-effective for your needs, you need to know the tips and tricks of downsizing. You might be surprised to learn that downsizing is a really big trend right now – and that plenty of people are doing it from Scottsdale to the four corners of the United States.
Here’s what you need to know.
Moving and Downsizing: What You Need to Know
Downsizing means something different to everyone, but all downsize moves have one thing in common: You’re going from a bigger space to a smaller one. Unless you get rid of the majority of your belongings, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to become more space-savvy after your move. To prepare for a downsize move, you have to:
- Assess your new home accurately
- Set up a plan for saving space
- Go through your current closets and storage spaces
- Shrink your furniture collection
Here’s a closer look at each.
Downsizing Tip #1: Assess your new home accurately
Your new home is smaller than your current home, which means you have to evaluate the floor plan and make sure you have enough information to create a plan. If you’re still looking for a new home, make sure you communicate your needs with your REALTOR®. Your Scottsdale real estate agent will be able to help you find the perfect space for your needs.
Downsizing Tip #2: Set up a plan for saving space
One of the toughest things to do when you’re downsizing is to plan ahead. You know you need less square footage, but what does that really mean when it comes to fitting your furniture, clothing, seasonal items and other “stuff” into your new house?
Start early on your plan. That means sorting through everything you own and deciding what you absolutely need to keep, what you can live without and what you’re still on the fence about.
Downsizing Tip #3: Go through your current closets and storage spaces
Because you’re starting early, you’ll have time to go through all your belongings. And even if you think your storage spaces and closets are “cozy” right now, you’ll probably be surprised at how much they’re holding for you. Often, though, the things we find in our storage spaces are things that we don’t use, but don’t want to part with.Experts recommend categorizing these types of belongings like this:
- Things you can keep and move to your new home, but store them when you get there
- Things you can keep and start using again
- Things you can photograph (if they’re sentimental) and then donate, recycle or sell
It can be really hard to part with things, even when you don’t use them – but you can follow this rule of thumb: If you haven’t looked at it, used it, or even thought about it over the past 6 months, it’s probably time to say goodbye to it. (Seasonal clothing and decor don’t really count, though.)
Downsizing Tip #4: Shrink your furniture collection
There’s a pretty good chance that all your furniture won’t fit into your new home, so now is the time to start getting rid of extra pieces. If you have a spare bedroom in your current home but you won’t in your new one, the choices are easy – you can donate or sell the furnishings in there. But you also have to consider things like square footage; if your new home has a smaller living room, bedroom or dining room than your current one does, you may have to objectively evaluate the size of your furniture and start getting rid of some so you can fit the essentials in your new home.
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