South Florida Palm Beaches Real Estate

In our “bigger is better” culture, there’s an expectation that each home should be larger and grander than the last. But life changes like death in the family, divorce, kids moving out on their own, job relocation, or even the simple act of growing older can prompt us to find a smaller home that better suits our shifting needs and simpler lifestyle. In fact, the advantages of downsizing are being increasingly recognized. A “tiny house movement” has gained passionate advocates who appreciate the benefits of living a very simple life at any age and stage of life. Not only does a smaller home typically cost less, it also takes less time and effort to maintain.1 Whatever your reasons are for downsizing, the process can seem overwhelming. We have experienced this downsizing process ourselves and can help make your process easier. That’s why we’ve outlined five steps to guide you on your journey. And in the end, we hope you’ll find that less is more … more comfort, more security, and more time and more energy to spend on the activities and with the people you love. 

5 STEPS TO DOWNSIZING SUCCESS

1. Determine Your Goals and Limitations

The first step is to figure out your goals for your new living environment. Do you want to live closer to family? Are you hoping to cut down on home maintenance? Are you looking for a community with certain amenities? Do you desire a simpler life? You should also consider any limitations that will impact the home you choose. For example, are stairs an issue? Do you need close access to medical care? In the case of divorce, are there child-custody issues you need to take into account? Estimate how long you plan to stay in your new home. Do you expect your needs to change during that time? Make a “wish list” of features and prioritize them from most to least important. If you’d like any assistance with this process, give us a call at 561-339-1779! We’d be happy to sit down with you for a free consultation. We can also help you assess the current value of your south Florida home so you can set a realistic budget for your new one. Request a free Comparative Market Analysis or CMA that shows the sold homes in your area and the current value of your home.

2. Find the Perfect Home

Once you’ve established your “wish list,” we can help you by searching for your new home. As local market experts, we know the ins and outs of all the top communities in our area. We can help you determine the neighborhood and type of home that will best fit your wants and needs. From family neighborhoods to retirement communities, we serve clients in all stages of life. If you or a loved one is in need of extended support, we can also share our knowledge of the assisted living facilities in our area and help you identify those that offer the optimal level of care. Are you planning to relocate out of town? We can refer you to a trusted real estate professional in your target area who can help you with your search. We would gladly refer you to our preferred and experienced agents.

3. Sell Your Current Home

If you’re ready to sell your current home, we’ll begin the process of preparing to list it as we search for your new one. Working with you while taking into account your moving time line and working schedule are ways that we provide you with support. We have a special interest in helping homeowners who are facing major life transitions, and we offer a full-service real estate experience that aims to remove as much of the stress and hassle of selling your home as possible. We also understand that many of our clients choose to downsize for financial reasons, so we employ tactics and strategies to maximize the potential sales revenue of your home. Our goal is selling your home at the highest price and in the least amount of time while striving to get the maximum exposure to prospective buyers. We do this by employing our proven three-part approach, which focuses on optimum preparation, pricing, and promotion. As part of that plan, we invest in an aggressive marketing strategy that utilizes online and social media platforms to connect with consumers and offline channels to connect with local real estate agents. We will gladly share our Marketing Plan with you.

4. Sort and Pack Your Belongings

Even before you find your new home, you can begin preparing for your move. A smaller home means less space for your furniture and other possessions, so you will need to decide what to keep and what to sell or donate. Sorting through an entire house full of belongings will take time, so begin as early as possible. Parting with personal possessions can be an extremely emotional process. Start with a small, unemotional space like a laundry or powder room and work your way up to larger rooms. Focus on anything you don’t regularly use and eliminate duplicates. If you have sentimental pieces, family heirlooms, or just useful items you no longer need, think about who in your life would benefit from having them. For large collections, consider keeping one or two favorite pieces and photographing the rest to put in an album.2 Make sure the items you keep help you achieve the goals you outlined in Step 1. For example, if you want a home that’s easier to clean, cut down on knickknacks that require frequent dusting. If you’re moving to be closer to your grandchildren, choose the shatterproof plates over the antique china. Allow yourself time to take breaks if you start to feel overwhelmed. If you’re helping a loved one with a move, try to be a patient listener if they want to stop and share stories about particular items or memories throughout the process.3 This can be therapeutic for them and an opportunity for you to learn family history that may otherwise have been forgotten. Or even better, record the family stories and share them later.

5. Get Help When You Need It

Moving is stressful in any situation. But if you’re downsizing due to health issues or a major life change, it can be an especially tough transition. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seek out friends and family members who can assist with packing and decluttering. If that’s not an option, or if you need additional help, consider hiring a home organizer, or full-service moving company. Even consider a senior moving manager, which is a professional who assists older adults and their families with the physical and emotional aspects of relocation.4 You can find one accredited by the National Association of Senior Move Managers at https://www.nasmm.org/find-a-move-manager/. If financial constraints are holding you back, let us know. We can help you explore the possibility of tapping into the equity in your current home now. That way you can afford to get the assistance you need to make your transition as smooth as possible.

Are You Living Your Best Life?

If your current home no longer suits your needs, maybe it’s time to consider a change. We would love to help you explore your options. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by calling 561-339-1779.  We are here to help make your life easier when transitioning from one home to another home as well as changing a lifestyle. Scroll down to email the Martin Group with any comments or questions.

Sources: 1. The Tiny Life –

What Is The Tiny House Movement?

2. My Move – https://www.mymove.com/moving/planning/senior-guide-downsizing/ 3. Daily Caring – https://dailycaring.com/5-tips-to-downsizing-for-seniors-keepsakes-mementos/ 4. National Association of Senior Move Managers https://www.nasmm.org/