Here’s What you Can Expect When Moving From a House to a Condo

Whether the kids have moved out or you just aren’t using the extra bedrooms, having a house that feels ‘too big’ is rarely fun. In today’s post, we will share a few changes you can expect if you are thinking of moving. Furthermore, if you are thinking of downsizing here’s what you can expect when moving from a house to a condo.

Why Downsize At All?

As you might imagine, having too much space is the primary reason that couples and families downsize. Larger homes cost more to maintain and can feel empty if it’s just one or two people living there. In many cases, old items and clutter tend to build up as there is so much storage space. Downsizing to a smaller home helps to maintain a lifestyle that is more efficient but no less luxurious.

Ask Yourself: Are You Ready?

Another consideration that you will need to make: are you ready to move? If you are retired from work, then you likely have enough time on your hands to manage a move. Conversely, if you and your spouse are both working full-time and live near your workplace, you may want to source a smaller home nearby.

Don’t forget that if you own the house you are living in now, this might mean having to list and sell it while buying your new home. This is a common situation and is not a significant problem, but it will require a bit of scheduling and financial planning.

Less Maintenance (Here’s What you Can Expect When Moving From a House to a Condo)

If you are someone that travels a lot then a condo is ideal for you since this type of property requires very little maintenance.  Often times the curb appeal and maintenance of the lawn is done by your Homeowner’s Association.

All general property maintenance is covered by your homeowner’s association fee, and includes all common areas such as the garage, the pool, the lobby, the fitness center, and any other amenities that your condominium offers.  This even include things such as roof repair, cutter cleaning, power washing and so on. This is certainly not the case when you own a house.

The Hardest Part: Choosing What To Keep

Ask any couple or family that has downsized their home about the toughest part, and many will share that it was choosing what stays and what goes. When space is at a premium, everything from shoes to appliances needs to be considered.

A great rule of thumb is if it has not been used in over a year, get rid of it. If you have doubles of things, keep your favorite one. And do not just stop at furniture. Moving is also a great opportunity to scrutinize your closets. If you do not think you will ever wear it, put it aside.

Spend some time going through each room in your house, taking an inventory of what you have. Are there any family heirlooms or other emotional items that you can’t part ways with? After that, is there anything that will be usable in your new home? Everything else should be considered fair game. Sell it, donate it or toss it out.

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Final Thoughts (Here’s What you Can Expect When Moving from a House to a Condo)

Whether the kids have moved out or you just aren’t using the extra bedrooms, having a house that feels ‘too big’ is rarely fun. May people, including Baby Boomers are jumping on the downsizing bandwagon in droves. Perhaps the only downside to downsizing is the challenge of packing a lifetime of belongings into a smaller place. However, with a well thought out plan, downsizing can actually be easy.

Moving to a smaller home can seem challenging at first, but it is a lifestyle choice that can pay significant dividends. When you are ready to make a move, contact any of your local real estate team. After discussing your wants and needs, they will be happy to recommend some perfect local listings for you.

Share with us. What are your thoughts on downsizing?

Let us know in the comments below.

Cheers!