If you love your Southern Maryland home but feel like you have much more space than you need, you may be asking yourself if it’s time to downsize. Perhaps older children have moved out on their own, or maybe you’ve significantly reduced your belongings. Whatever the case, many homeowners find themselves wondering if downsizing might be the right choice for them. If you’re thinking about it, here are some things worth considering:

Decision

To downsize or not to downsize? This can be a tough decision for many homeowners. You might love your current home and feel it’s difficult to part with. Or maybe you’re unsure if you could really function with less space. While there’s no right answer, these are some of the most important factors for most homeowners to think about. Are you looking to make a change financially, by lowering your mortgage, for example? Are you wanting to have less maintenance? Do you simply feel like you’re no longer utilizing enough of your space? Do you anticipate your needs remaining the same for the foreseeable future? Are there adjustments you could make to your current home that could make it a better fit? Answering these questions can help you get to a decision point if you’re truly ready to downsize.

Storage

Maybe you have an empty bedroom or two that is no longer occupied. Just because no one is in these spaces on a regular basis doesn’t always mean they’re unused though. If you’re using them for storage, it’s important to consider what you would do with those belongings if you had less space. Going through your storage is a great place to start for those getting ready to downsize. The less you have in storage, the better. Once you have a good sense of the things you do need to keep in storage, you can better estimate your needs in a new home.

Size

It’s wise to set some parameters around what you’re looking for in terms of size in a new home. Downsizing can mean many different things. Maybe you’re looking to reduce the amount of yard space you’re caring for, or perhaps you’re hoping to have fewer bedrooms. Whatever the case, getting a bit clearer on these things can help you find a home that is truly the right fit. You don’t want to end up jumping into something that’s too small to meet your needs, but you also want to commit to that step of moving into something smaller.

Features

Finally, as you start your search, it’s worth thinking about the things you love most about your current home and the things you’d like to change. Maybe you’re committed to staying in the same neighborhood, but would love a more updated kitchen, for example. Downsizing is a great opportunity to achieve some of these other goals in your new home, and getting organized in advance can help you find just the right match.

 

Have you considered downsizing? Have you already moved into a smaller home? What motivated you to consider it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!