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DOWNSIZING your home can prompt one or two emotions: relief at leaving an unsuitable property and joy that you can move to something much more life-enhancing. Since lockdown and the enforced time spent in our homes with the opportunity to scrutinise our way of living, many people have decided to move house. And downsizing is the logical choice for many. This may be because they want a property that’s easier to manage because their current one is no longer convenient due to poor health, mobility difficulties or isolation and loneliness following a bereavement. It may be that their current home is simply too big – or too small – and they need a property that better reflects how they are now living their lives. A large home may now also be a very expensive one in the light of huge energy hikes and they’re looking to cut regular bills like council ta which is generally lower in smaller properties. Retired home-owners may see themselves as asset-rich but cashpoor, owning a property but living off a small, regular income like a pension. Downsizing may mean being able to raise money to
supplement a pension, pay off a mortgage or a loan and even enjoy a new car or holidays. It may simply be, though, that people are just unhappy with their current property and want the chance to have their dream home with everything that this involves. Whatever the reason, it’s not a decision to take lightly and involves real research - both to make that crucial move and to select just the right property for the next home. However, as consumer champions Which? rightly MOVING TO A MORE point out, there are some possible drawbacks that are worth bearing in mind.
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SUITABLE HOME For a start, downsizers have to leave friends and neighbours behind which may mean leaving a strong support network. They also need to know if they can still enjoy their hobbies in a new area. A smaller home may mean less storage and entertaining space, which means a cull of furniture and other possessions. Lifestyle musts for the checklist for any new home and area include ensuring there’s good local transport nearby, whether family and friends can easily visit and if there are good shops, a library and cafes. Local amenities generally should be good and it’s worth checking for any major development plans or building work nearby which could impact your new lifestyle. Have the local council there got a good reputation for basic services like bin collections and are there reliable local GP surgeries and hospitals within a decent distance? Most downsizers choose to stay on the property ladder, although it may be that they are now considering buying a home in sheltered housing or in a retirement village. The latter provides a particularly popular solution for many people now, offering an independent lifestyle in a safe environment among
people of a similar age. There may also be planned outings and entertainment on-site, all of which help foster a genuine community atmosphere.
Many residential properties generally meet easy-access criteria with improvements like step-free access and ground-level access to a toilet or bathroom.
Bungalows are particularly popular with downsizers with specific mobility problems or other health concerns as life on one level is usually much easier.
Downsizing can be a very exciting time for many people because it offers an opportunity to buy new furniture and furnishings to fulfil their view of a dream home.
That comfortable monster of a sofa, for example, which seats four people but has definitely become a bit threadbare thanks to children’s and grandchildren’s ministrations, can now be replaced with something smaller, sleeker and more modern.
Large sideboards and cupboards and even family-sized tables and chairs may not only now be unnecessary in a new, smaller property but can be replaced with pleasing contemporary lines.
It’s possible to sell old furniture on ebay or other local sites or it may be preferable to just give them away to Free to Good Homes, which is on Facebook, or to your local Freecycle.
Some of the larger charities also run free collection services for donated furniture. Try local branches of the British Heart Foundation www.bhf.org.uk or homeless charity Emmaus at emmaus.org.uk.
Smaller windows in a new home won’t need large, heavy drapes so downsizing may provide the opportunity to buy the latest
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lightweight curtains or blinds. The same applies to the newest types of flooring – all of which may help with that important energy-saving.
Of course, downsizing can’t be achieved without a realistic look at your home possessions and this can feel daunting. Experts suggest doing small amounts of sifting and sorting on a daily basis well in advance of your moving date – rather than exhaust yourself by doing one room all in one go.
Ask yourself “Do I use it, love it or need it?” about every home item and if the answer is “no” then consider saying goodbye to it. For example, if you’ve not worn any item of clothing for more than a year, you probably don’t need it.
Make separate piles of Keep, Dump, Recycle and Give Away and try to be sensible. Giving away means a bumper day for local charity shops so people will be able to bag a bargain from your items and the charity benefits from much-needed cash.
Take a hard look at your new planned lifestyle and see what you really need dayto-day. If you’ve no garden or grassy lawn, you won’t need that lawnmower.
If you have children, ask them what items they would like to have as keepsakes from the items you don’t need to take with you. Let them understand that, although you cherish the artwork they did as five year-olds, you can only take one or two items and perhaps they might like to keep the rest to show their children.
And you’ll be shocked at the amount of paperwork you’ve retained over the years but be brutal – keep what’s important and ditch the rest.
You’ve got a new life to lead!
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