3 Steps Every Senior Needs to Take to Downsize Their Home 

Many seniors make the decision to move to a smaller home in retirement. If you are one of them, you may be wondering what steps to take to make this transition less stressful. Buying a new home and getting moved in can be a complex process, but here are a few steps you can take to ensure you don’t miss the trickier tasks involved with downsizing your home. 

You Need to Downsize Your Belongings Before Moving 

If you are planning on living in a smaller space, you have to make sure everything you bring will fit comfortably. For seniors, that means decluttering and downsizing throughout the home and taking stock of what really needs to come along, what can be donated and what needs to be discarded before the move. To keep yourself objective, measure your new home or think about the size of the home you are looking for so it will be easier to slim down your possessions. This can be an emotional undertaking, so don’t be surprised if you have some things you’re not ready to part with, but that won’t fit in your new home either. If this happens, you can always look for a temporary self-storage unit. Prices for self-storage in Atlanta can be pretty high but you can use sign-up deals to save, such as the one at CubeSmart Self-Storage on Monroe Drive, which gives you 15% off rates and a free first month. You may even want to hold onto that unit to store seasonal decor and items throughout the year. 

You Need to Plan Out Your Move Well Ahead of Time 

The homebuying process can take time to navigate. You likely already know why you want to downsize to a smaller home, but that leaves you with other important steps to complete, like checking out mortgage options and negotiating an offer that will help you close on your new home. Because this process is so complex, it can be easy to let moving tasks fall to the wayside, which could leave you in a hurry to complete them later. To keep yourself on track, start planning for your move before you find your new home and use a moving checklist to make sure no important items fall through the cracks. You may even find some helpful tips you wouldn’t have thought of before, like hiring a move manager or using blueprints to make downsizing furniture easier. Another perk of planning ahead for your move is that you will have more time to get the best price on professional moving companies. You could move your own boxes, but using movers can make things easier and even prevent back injuries. 

You Need to Be Careful When Packing for Your Big Move 

Even if you use professional movers to help pack and move your stuff, chances are you may end up packing a few boxes on your own. That’s why it’s helpful to have some packing hacks that will keep your possessions safe and even help you avoid an injury while shifting boxes around. For example, you can use plastic wrap to securely pack up utensils, knives and kitchen appliances in a separate box so you have easy access to them once you’re getting settled into your new home. You also need the right boxes to ensure a safe, damage-free move as well. Place heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter ones in larger boxes so that you can avoid making boxes too heavy to carry. 

Finally, once you have your furniture arranged and boxes in the new place, start making it feel like your home. Pull out your favorite decor and photos (think about packing these separately) and arrange them in prominent places. Being surrounded by these personal touches can certainly help, but remember it can take time to settle in, so be patient and be willing to really make it yours. 

Buying a new home is complicated enough, but downsizing doesn’t have to be. Just make sure you cross the steps above off your list and you’ll be on track for a stress-free move. Enjoy your new home! 


Photo Credit: Pexels

Written for us by Michael Longsdon