Key considerations when downsizing your house

If you’re suffering from too much house, you may be considering a move to a smaller home, apartment, or other senior living arrangement. Whether you have rooms or entire floors you no longer use, a desire for a simpler lifestyle, or would like to reduce the costs of having a house with expensive utilities, repairs, and ongoing maintenance, downsizing may be a great option.

However, if you’ve owned your house for a long time, this process can seem overwhelming.

To ensure a smooth transition, here are five crucial items to consider.

The Location Of Where To Move

•

The location of your new home or apartment is very important. Knowing about the neighborhood, being in close proximity of a grocery store, church, doctors, social activities, etc. are typically items that most people are concerned about. A convenient location can greatly enhance the quality and enjoyment of life.

I often talk to people that want to sell a house and downsize but stay in their same neighborhood because they like the area of town they’re in, but just want a living arrangement that is easier to manage.

• Evaluate Your Housing Needs

Moving to a smaller living arrangement requires living with less square feet than you’ve become accustomed to. How many bedrooms, and room for other activities (like hobbies) do you need? What amount of space is necessary to have the lifestyle you would like, and not create the same issues you currently have?

Two services to consider is contacting a senior placement agent, or other professional to find the right home or apartment, and move manager to help with the transition to a new living arrangement.

A move manager can help by creating a floor plan with your new home so you will know what furniture can be moved, and what other items you will have room for.

• Maintenance and Accessibility Issues

One of the biggest benefits of downsizing is reducing or eliminating maintenance and repairs that you are responsible for. Assess items like yard maintenance, snow removal, exterior and interior upkeep, and the availability of services that can take care of items if you would rather not have to do them yourself.

Accessibility typically is, or will become, a concern for most at some point. I have worked with many individuals that wanted or needed ground floor apartments, or have a building with an elevator to not have to worry about navigating steps.

• Financial Considerations

Downsizing certainly can have financial considerations. As mentioned in last month’s column, some home owners that have no mortgage payments may be better off financially by staying in their house instead of moving. Others may be better off by not having to incur the higher costs that typically come with owning a house, such as utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and potential repairs.

When looking at the financial aspects of downsizing, factor in the potential sale proceeds of your house or the monthly payments you could receive when selling.

Everyone’s situation is unique, so you will want to check your own numbers to determine the best plan for you.

•

Community And Social Connections

Moving to a smaller home or apartment doesn’t mean losing your social connections. As mentioned above, many people that I speak with want to live in the same community so they can keep their social connections, but just want a living arrangement that’s easier to manage.

Sometimes downsizing and moving to an apartment community will provide more opportunities for social interaction and allow you to create new relationships. Selling a house and downsizing from a house you’ve owned for possibly decades is a signification transition. By considering these key items, you will be much better prepared to make your move.

And, know that there are resources and services such as senior placement agents, move managers and moving companies, downsizing specialists, and real estate professionals to help make a move easier and less stressful.

Ben Souchek is an author of the book Home Downsizing Secrets, and the owner and founder of Home Downsizing Solutions, a company that specializes in helping home owners transition from their current house to a new home, apartment, or other senior living community for more than 25 years. If you have questions on this subject and/or I can be of assistance, just call or text me at (402)-450-0199.

Volunteers needed for research study

Derek Wilson, who is a PhD Candidate of Sociology & Gerontology at the University of Kansas, is looking for older adults who use smart home technology on a regular basis and are willing to participate in interviews related to their experiences.

Volunteers will participate in interviews over Zoom Video Calling that will last approximately 120 minutes but can be split between two separate interviews.

The experiment involves older adults that use devices in the home, aside from computers or wristwatches, which are connected to the internet and can be operated by voice and/or smartphone. Examples of this technology include Google Nest Devices (doorbells, speakers, thermostats), Amazon Alexa Devices (displays and speakers), Ring Video Doorbells, Smart Lights, Smart TV, or

Smart Appliances (fridge, stove, laundry machines, etc.). Smartphones are not included as smart home devices.

To be eligible you must be ages 60-75 who live in Midwest states surrounding Kansas and use at least two or more devices.

For more information about the study, please contact: Derek Wilson at 913-620-9077 or by email at (derekwilson.ku@gmail. com).

Fremont Friendship Center