9 minute read
DOWNSIZING
HOW TO DOWNSIZE
B Y ON THE MOVE
Downsizing is no longer just an option for empty nesters, but people interested in a more urban lifestyle, or just interested in a simpler life with more fi nancial freedom.
Whatever the reason, the exercise of downsizing can still be a challenge. Here are some tips to make this process easier:
START EARLY
If you’ve made the decision to downsize, spend some time in advance thinking about what items you want to keep and how things will fi t and be organised in a smaller place. This will help to mentally prepare you for the change as well, reducing stress when the actual day arrives.
MEASURE
Following on from the above, ensure you measure the pieces of furniture that you are going to take with you and fi rstly, make sure they are going to fi t through the doors of your new property. Secondly, make sure they are going to fi t in the rooms. Using a fl oorplan to draw things to scale can help with this too.
BE FLEXIBLE
If you’re having trouble deciding on what to take with you or you’re not sure how long this arrangement will last, you can always rent a storage unit. This will give you the fl exibility of really seeing whether you need certain items or if the new arrangement doesn’t work out, you’ll not have disposed of larger necessities.
ASK FOR HELP
Moving is always a diffi cult task and one that you should not have to tackle alone. The physical demands are obvious, but people often forget the mental and emotional stresses. In particular, downsizing can be a very emotionally exhausting exercise as decisions to let things go can be tough and adjusting to a more minimalist life (relative to what you may be used to) can be harder than you think. Contact a professional removalist like, who can help take the stress out of the process.
REASSESS YOUR BILLS
A fresh start is the perfect time to review everything from your insurance provider to your electric, gas and water provider. Now’s the time to see if you can get a better deal and switch to a company that suits your new home and lifestyle.
In the end, you’ll no doubt come through your move with a greater appreciation of a more simple life and hopefully a greater outlook. Think of all the time you’ll save on cleaning and maintenance, and what you’ll be able to do with the savings from your household bills!
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Since 2004 On The Move has partnered with Real Estate agencies and other organisations to give their customers a convenient and seamless move-in, lights-on experience.
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PROPERTY
ON THE MARKET GET VISUAL We’re not suggesting that manifestation is the answer to all your property aspirations, but visualisation is a savvy starting point. Envision your perfect home in all its glory – the size, the style, the suburb… Keep it semirealistic (shelve your Tuscan villa pipedreams for now), but still think freely. This will help tap into your desires and get you thinking about how you want to live. Sure, ocean views may fall outside your budget, but perhaps you’d settle instead for easy access to a beach or bay. Scrawl down all your ideas to refer back to later. ADD THE NICE-TO-HAVES Below your must-haves, start noting down the features you deem appealing, but not essential. A walk-in wardrobe? You wouldn’t turn it down, but it’s not make or break. It might be the same for a pool. Interior features could also fall into this category – think hardwood flooring and stone countertops, as well as central air conditioning or a fireplace. Check in with your above-mentioned visualisation notes as you go, picking out the elements that are enticing, but also attainable. CONSULT THE EXPERTS Finally, round out your list with a little expert intel. The agents at real estate organisation Century 21 will share some “value” items to consider tacking onto your list. As the name suggests, these are features that will add value to your property over time. Think a great bathroom, dual-pane windows, or close proximity to top schools. While these items shouldn’t take over your wants and wishes, they’re nevertheless worth keeping in mind as you navigate the inspection circuit (now armed with a handy priority list, so you never swerve off course again!)
GO BACK TO BASICS
HOW IMPORTANT IS MARKETING YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE AND IS IT REALLY WORTH THE INVESTMENT? IN ASSOCIATION WITH Location may be paramount – perhaps you want to be within walking distance of your children’s school – or maybe you have your heart set on a certain cluster of suburbs.
Selling your home may well be one of the largest transactions you will ever make, and naturally, you want to achieve the highest return possible. While some vendors may initially shy away from the expense involved in marketing their property for sale, the benefits of investing in a strong strategy can be huge. A favourable financial outcome is one reason a marketing plan makes good business sense. The other is a quick, efficient sale. The more exposure your property receives, the more
interest it will generate, which will increase competition and turn that ‘for sale’ sign into ‘sold’. The best place to start is by seeking out an agent who not only has a strong database, but also maintains a line of contact with clients. They will know who your potential buyers are and will leverage their relationships and expertise to match appropriate buyers to your home. An experienced agent will also know how and when to ramp up momentum, which is critical to a successful sale. Charles Tarbey, Chairman of Century 21 Australia, advises that “Even if there is substantial interest in a property within the first week or two, the intensity of a marketing campaign should not be reduced.” Essentially, you are campaigning your home, so keep interest in your property alive right through to the sale. A MULTI-MEDIA APPROACH The ‘for sale’ sign perched outside your property is the first step to generating interest, especially among those who are looking specifically in your area. When it comes to building a marketing strategy with your agent, using a combination of both traditional and digital tools will ensure your property is centre-stage where buyers are looking. Of course, the more intricate the marketing GO BACK TO BASICS Important considerations are the minimum number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms and their minimum size. GET VISUAL We’re not suggesting that manifestation is the answer to all your property aspirations, but visualisation is a savvy starting point. Envision your perfect home in all its glory – the size, the style, the suburb… Keep it semirealistic (shelve your Tuscan villa pipedreams for now), but still think freely. This will help tap into your desires and get you thinking about how you want to live. Sure, ocean views may fall outside your budget, but perhaps you’d settle instead for easy access to a beach or bay. Scrawl down all your ideas to refer back to later. ADD THE NICE-TO-HAVES Below your must-haves, start noting down the features you deem appealing, but not essential. A walk-in wardrobe? You wouldn’t turn it down, but it’s not make
Also consider liveability: is renovating an option, or are you keen to find a home and move straight in? strategy, the more expensive it will become. Ultimately, it comes down to how strongly you want to push for a sale. As Mr Tarbey says: “Most sellers will want to avoid paying a lot to advertise their home, however, the most expensive advertising can generate that one extra buyer needed to create serious competition.” or break. It might be the same for a pool. Interior features could also fall into this category – think hardwood flooring and stone countertops, as well as central air conditioning or a fireplace. Check in with your above-mentioned visualisation notes as you go, picking out the elements that are enticing, but also attainable.
YOUR MARKETING TOOLBOX
It pays to have photos taken by a professional photographer who will showcase your property in the best light and from its best angles. Invest in a quality floorplan to accompany your photos.
Digital platforms are generally the first port of call for buyers and can reach thousands of people instantaneously.
A combination of both traditional and digital tools will ensure your property pops up wherever buyers are looking. CONSULT THE EXPERTS Finally, round out your list with a little expert intel. The agents at real estate organisation Century 21 will share some “value” items to consider tacking onto your list. As the name suggests, these are features that will add value to your property over time. Think a great bathroom, dual-pane windows, or close proximity to top schools. While these items shouldn’t take over your wants and wishes, they’re nevertheless worth keeping in mind as you navigate the inspection circuit (now armed with a handy priority list, so you never swerve off course again!)
Print advertising, particularly local papers are a great way to reach people looking in your area.
