Reaching retirement is an exciting time that shouldn’t be overshadowed by the stressors that can come with the transition! With a change in routine and income, it’s natural to wonder if it’s time to downsize your home for your next chapter.
How to Downsize Your Home for Retirement
Retirement living is often associated with losing the freedom that comes with owning your own single-family home. We’re here to tell you that doesn’t have to be the case. If you’re approaching retirement and wondering where to start with downsizing, then this blog is for you!
Begin the process of downsizing with these steps. Remember, there are many ways to downsize! These are great places to get started and we encourage you to do it your way.
1. Get a head start!
If you’ve been living in your home for decades, chances are you’ve collected a few things. Give yourself plenty of time to go through your belongings and decide what you want to take with you. If you are able, try to spread this task over a couple of weeks to make it less daunting.
Remember, pack up any items that you know you won’t need from now until your move day to try to make it a less stressful experience. You’ll be thankful on the day before move-out day if you’re able to sit down and relax for a minute versus running around frantically trying to pack everything in the last few hours.
2. Start practical, be tactical.
Downsizing your home can be overwhelming. It’s important to avoid biting off more than you can chew. We’d recommend starting with one room and finishing it entirely before moving to the next. Remember – it’s better to have two rooms completely sorted than five rooms torn apart.
It’s important to select a reasonable move-out date that allows enough time for you to confidently comb through your belongings.
3. Measure your furniture before you haul it
Before you spend the time and money to move all your furniture to your new house, you’ll want to make sure it actually fits. We recommend taking measurements of the main rooms of your new house and drawing a quick sketch to ensure your furniture fits. Trust us, this is worth the time and effort versus having all your furniture moved to find out it doesn’t fit where you intended it to go.
4. Rely on storage methods that maximize every space of your home.
Get creative with storage ideas for your new home. Take a quick trip to Ikea to pick up storage solutions for items such as seasonal clothing, spare linens and more. Try to give all your possessions a place in your home that is put away so you aren’t constantly tripping over things.
5. Consider sentimental items
Companies that help seniors downsize can be consulted to manage belongings, pack, move. They can also store the belongings that you aren’t quite ready to part with. You likely have some sentimental belongings that don’t necessarily need to be in your new home. It’s important to have them properly wrapped and protected before going into storage.
6. Donate, sell or give away items
One of the last things to do before moving is figuring out what to do with the items you’ve decided to part ways with. Chances are you have pieces that are in great shape but just won’t fit your new lifestyle. Don’t worry, instead of throwing them out, consider one of the following:
- Donating to your local charity
- Gifting to family or friends
- Selling online
Where to Move When You’re Looking to Downsize
There are so many great reasons to downsize! Maybe it’s getting into a house that’s easier to maintain, easier accessibility to the essentials, or wanting to simplify your life. Or, to just enjoy financial freedom. Whatever it is, it can be challenging to find a new community that ticks all the boxes for downsizing. That is until Meadows of Morinville was developed.
Meadows of Morinville Offers Downsizing Without Compromising
The architecturally controlled community is just as beautiful as it was when it broke ground five years ago. Sitting on the edge of town, the location couldn’t be better. You can easily walk to downtown festivals, shopping and entertainment. What’s more exciting is you can even get into some recreation on the regional trail that borders the Community.
Do you have kids or grandkids? The playground is only one block away. Do you like to fish? The stocked fish pond is less than an 8-minute walk.
Each yard is an oversized lot, averaging 50’ x 106’ and half will accommodate a garage. Decks and landscaping are included with every home. You’re welcome to build a vegetable garden, add a hot tub, or shed and/or many other improvements.
The houses are stunning – ranging in size from 1,000 square feet, up to about 1,700. You have the option to choose a quick possession home or to custom design your very own. Have the flexibility to choose all your decor, options and lot and be living in your new house by summer.
Financial Implications for Downsizing
Downsizing for retirement is a great way to save on mortgage payments, utility costs, insurance, property taxes, home maintenance, etc. Our community offers affordable mortgage payments without sacrificing square footage. Meadows of Morinville is a land lease community, which is an alternative home ownership option [vs. purchasing the land or moving into a condo] where you buy the house but lease the land on which it sits.
This model significantly reduces the cost of the initial purchase. It also allows buyers to get into a house they might not otherwise be able to afford. It allows empty nesters to free up the equity they have in their existing house, so they can spend their money on things that matter most.
Down payments are considerably cheaper than other home ownership options and taxes are cut in about half. Our residents love that it gives them the freedom to put some money away for a rainy day.
How Meadows of Morinville is Bridging the Gap Toward Retirement Living
From its convenient location to offering affordable single-family homes, Meadows of Morinville is changing how you think about retiring in a modular community.
Our community balances your desire for freedom with your need for manageable living arrangements. It is a great alternative to senior living. You can own a detached single-family home with a fenced yard from the mid $200,000’s. Have confidence in the next phase of your life knowing you could live within your means with lower mortgage payments.
Quick Possession Homes
Ready to explore the possibility of downsizing to a modular home? These are just a few examples of what could be yours in Meadows of Morinville.
Life in the Meadows is about making life simpler, without sacrificing luxury. Our exclusive home builder is offering modern modular bungalows on large, landscaped lots from the mid $200,000’s. Our unique land-lease concept gives our home buyers an opportunity to get into a house they might not otherwise be able to afford. We’re helping empty-nesters a chance to free up some equity in their existing homes.
Contact us today to learn more about life in the Meadows!