The Upside of downsizing
You loved your large house when you were raising a growing family. Now that you’re empty nesters, you’ve probably grown tired of all the costs, cleaning, and other responsibilities associated with owning a big home. Moving into smaller quarters can save time on cleaning and organizing, and saves money that can now be utilized for activities, vacations, and so much more. So here’s a quick guide to downsizing once you’ve made your decision:
CONSIDER AN Apartment
Renting an apartment instead of buying a house has some great advantages for people longing for more time and more money to do the things they love. You won’t have to worry about costly home maintenance and repairs, paying property taxes, or about the ups and downs of the real estate market in your area. Plus, you’ll be able to move more easily once your lease is up, in case you don’t like the neighborhood anymore or you just want a change of scenery. If you’re a senior, pick a building with an elevator, or look for a unit on ground level. You can look for apartments for rent online, and narrow your search by entering how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need as well as the amenities you’d like to have available close by.
Buy a Smaller House
Selling your larger house at the top of the market and buying a smaller one will allow you to put a nice sum of money in the bank that you can then use to treat yourself to a nice vacation, to buy a nicer car, to invest in a business, or anything else you dream up. Wondering how you’re going to fit all your furniture and belongings into a smaller house? Start by making a list of what you can’t live without, then sell, gift or donate the rest. Once you start decluttering, you’ll be amazed at how much stuff you’ve accumulated over the years that you don’t actually use. Freeing yourself of all that clutter will help you decide on what kind of layout you want for your new, smaller home.
Rent a Storage Unit
If your new home is too small to house everything you own, these Denver storage units can help you keep your belongings safely tucked away. Compare prices by entering the square footage and the specs you need like climate control, alarm in unit, or drive-up access, and find a location that you can easily get to when you want to retrieve an item or pack away out-of-season clothing, home decor, sports equipment, etc. The average monthly cost for a unit in Denver is $106.99, and some storage centers offer special deals or discounts to their customers, so make sure to ask the manager or owner once you’ve decided on a particular facility in which to keep your personal items year-round.
Invest in a Home Warranty
For added peace of mind after you’ve moved to a smaller house, think about purchasing a home warranty policy. This annual service contract will offer coverage and protection for all the major systems - electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning, roof and exterior — as well as your larger home appliances like refrigerator, stove, water heater, dishwasher, and washer and dryer. Breakdowns of those systems and appliances are inevitable at some point in time when you’re a homeowner, and if you want to avoid costly repairs or replacements that could put a big dent in your budget, a home warranty will help you resolve and cover issues quickly, sparing you headaches and worries.
As life changes, moving to smaller quarters can help lessen burdens, free up mental space, and benefit you financially. Rent a storage unit for your most precious belongings, and move into an apartment in a neighborhood you love. And if you decide on purchasing a smaller house, make sure you get a home warranty to help you with unexpected costs.
If you’re thinking about apartment living in the greater Denver area as your next move, or if you own a multilevel property and are in need of management, get in touch with brcmultifamily.com where we strive to embody our company values: integrity, courtesy, and professionalism.
Article submitted by Kristin Louis, of parentingwithkris.com.
