Downsizing Tips for Seniors

Sterling Life Solutions is proud to be featured in the Seniors Blue Book of South Central PA for our compassionate and full-service approach to senior move management, estate cleanouts, and downsizing. Based in Reading, we support families across Berks County and beyond with personalized planning, packing, donation coordination, and moreall handled by our in-house team with no subcontractors.Our recent feature helps connect more families to the services they need during lifes major transitions. Were honored to be recognized as a trusted partner and invite you to explore our services or schedule a consultation. Call 484-220-3743 or visit www.sterlinglifesolutions.com

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As we get older, it can get increasingly difficult to take care of large homes and the amount of stuff weve  collected over the years. The kids have moved out and are building lives of their own, and suddenly, the extra space isnt as necessary as it once was. If youre nearing retirement, now is a great time to consider downsizing. It can be hard to let go of a home where youve made years of memories, but downsizing is a practical way to keep your home maintenance manageable and put away money for health and other life expenses.For some seniors, downsizing isnt just a difficult decision but an actual economic necessity. As more Baby Boomers and Gen Xers near retirement age, downsizing might be the only way they can afford to stay retired.If youve considered selling your home for something smaller, there are a few factors you may want to consider. First, think about your personal reasons for downsizing economic or otherwise. Second, consider what kind of home youd like to move into. Finally, youll need to figure out whether selling your home would financially support the first two factors.Its not a fun situation unless youre planning to move somewhere exciting or close to your adult children but downsizing can be a prudent financial decision that can set you up to live out your retirement years in comfort.Heres an overview of why and how to downsize.Why you should consider downsizing nowThere are several reasons to consider downsizing in retirement, including:Manage your finances: For many people, finances are the number one reason to consider moving somewhere smaller. If you still have a mortgage, your home may not be affordable on your retirement budget, or you might need to free up money to pay for your Medicare and healthcare costs. If you manage the sale wisely and move somewhere that fits within your budget, you may be able to set yourself up for comfort in retirement.Give yourself the gift of less upkeep: Even if youre in perfect health now, aging takes its toll on everyone. Larger homes require significantly more maintenance and upkeep than smaller ones, especially townhomes, condominiums and apartments, where maintenance is typically taken care of by a management company. Upkeep also factors into your budget you can often save money on maintenance when you move into a smaller place.Easier relocating: Have you always wanted to live farther away from the city? Does a dry climate agree more with your lungs? Want to move closer to your children and grandchildren? Downsizing is the perfect opportunity to find your dream home in another area.Find a home with aging-in-place amenities: Many homes that were ideal for raising children dont fit your needs as you age. Downsizing allows you to find a home with built-in, aging-in-place amenities, so you can continue living independently for as long as you desire. Alternatively, if you suffer from serious health issues, you may wish to move to an assisted living facility to have on-site assistance.Eliminate clutter: We collect a lot of clutter over the years. Without a pressing need to get rid of the excess, its all too easy to let it pile up. Downsizing or moving of any kind is a good opportunity to sort out what you want to keep versus what you can let go, since your new home will have less room to store unnecessary items.How to downsize your homeIf youre interested in downsizing but arent sure where to start, here are a few tips:Make an appointment with a financial advisor: After youve decided why you want to downsize, youll need to figure out how to do it. Meeting with your financial advisor is crucial to determining the full picture. A good advisor can help you evaluate your income and assets, point out potential tax liabilities and identify other issues that might affect the downsizing process. In some cases, they may have suggestions regarding whether it makes more sense to sell your home or rent it out.Research smaller homes: The next item to tackle is research. Before you can go any further, youll need to figure out what it costs to live in the type of home you want, in the location you want. For example, a full-sized house in your dream city might cost more than your income can bear, but a condo in the same area could be affordable. Remember as you research to keep in mind the upkeep costs, HOA dues and other fees that may not be included in the list price.Research your mortgage options: If you sell your home and some assets, you may be able to get a good rate on a short-term mortgage for your new home. Shop around to find the best loan you can find. 10- to 15-year mortgages are a good choice for retirees because they allow you to gain equity in the home quickly with lower interest rates. If the 10-year options monthly payments are too high, 15-year mortgages are often more manageable.Find out your homes value: You probably have an idea of what your home might sell for, but the more realistic your estimate, the better. You can have your home appraised or research similar homes on websites like Zillow. In some cases, it wont make financial sense to sell your home. For example, if youll pay as much to rent a smaller home as you spend on the mortgage in your current home, it might be better to move and rent your home out for extra income.Make a realistic budget: Once you have an idea of what your home might sell for and where youd like to live, you can make a budget. A financial advisor may be able to give you an overall picture of what your retirement income will look like over the next few decades. Create a realistic monthly budget, leaving yourself as much wiggle room as possible. Dont forget that expenses in a different area might look much higher or lower than youre paying now, so do as much research as you can before committing.Dont forget the taxes and fees: One mistake people can make when downsizing is forgetting the taxes and fees that come with buying and selling a home. Agent commissions, property taxes, closing costs, capital gains and other fees can make a once-desirable home suddenly unaffordable.Once you have these details ironed out, it will be easier for you to find a smaller home that meets all of your needs.ConclusionFrom losing social networks to finding good healthcare providers in your new location, downsizing can be an emotional process. However, if its the right decision for your family, health and budget, it can set you up to live comfortably throughout your retirement.PlanEnroll is devoted to helping seniors find the right healthcare coverage for their needs. We represent a range of Medicare plans and can help you identify the benefits and coverage that are right for you.PlanEnroll is a brand operated by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC and used by its affiliated licensed insurance agencies that are certified to sell Medicare products. PlanEnroll is not endorsed by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), or any other government agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1800MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.