Downsizing to Prepare for Senior Living
Golden Lodge Assisted Living and Memory Care
Feb 10, 2022
Colorado - Boulder County
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In this article, we will give you our best 6 tips to make sure downsizing is as productive and stress-free as possible while still honoring the phases of life that have come before.
Tip #1: Start in Neutral Zones
The hardest part of any overwhelming task is knowing where to start. In this kind of circumstance, its best to start with the items in your home that are the most neutral, the items that have little to no sentimental value. Starting with the kitchen or garage before tackling the bedrooms or studies will help you build momentum to keep going to the next room once you see how much you can streamline without pausing to reflect.
Tip #2: Have Your New Home in Mind
Whether you take pictures of your new living space or you have a floor plan with you, know exactly what rooms youll need to furnish and how much space youll have when deciding what to get rid of and what to keep. This will also help you keep an eye to the future as you think about what things you have that youd like to see fill your new space.
Tip #3: Decide What Matters Most
Before you begin to pack the boxes, sit down and make a list of the things you own that matter to you the most. Family photographs, heirlooms, jewelry, and other items should be identified as your non-negotiables from the very beginning. Keeping to that list as you start weeding through the things you didnt even know you had will help you keep perspective on whats important and whats just stuff.
Tip #4: Pack the Necessities
Packing everything you own often means you forget to keep handy the things youll need right away. Make a special box of things youll need that first night in your new space such as your toothbrush, hairbrush, and a clean change of clothes.
Tip #5: Avoid Throwing Things Away
A lot of the things you decide to leave behind may still have a lot of life left in them. Instead of tossing these kinds of items to sit in a landfill, try to find a new home for as much as you can. Ask friends and family if they know any young people setting up their first apartment or donate to a local charity store. It will help the sting of getting rid of something if you know its going to a good place.
Tip #6: Start Early and Take Your Time
This process works best when it isnt done at the last minute. Having a plan in place and sticking to it to ensure you arent making quick decisions will help ease the stress that downsizing can cause.
If you or a loved one is interested in taking this next exciting step to move into a senior living community, Golden Lodge Assisted Living and Memory Care is the best place to start. Download our free Family Guide to Funding Senior Care & Housing today to discover what steps you need to take before packing the moving boxes.
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Why Downsizing in Retirement Can Save You in a Large Way
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. 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