So, you’ve decided to downsize, and my guess is, have absolutely no idea where to begin? Do not fret; you are not alone! Although downsizing is a fresh start, it’s sure to be a massive change modular wardrobe, and that may be causing you some anxiety, understandably.

Fortunately, we are here to help you overcome this hurdle and to reassure you of the positives of downsizing, as well as few handy tips to get the job done.

We aim to try to make it as least stressful as possible to, promise! So here goes;

WHY?

Everyone has a reason why they want to downsize, and everyone’s situation is different, it could be kids leaving home it could be for financial purposes, and homeowners are looking for a more cost-effective way of life, it could be following a break up or it could be that someone wants a change and has decided on a new cottage in the country or vice versa wants an apartment lifestyle in the city.

• Kids

Before we know it kids grow up and flea the nest and what was once a busy, bustling home has now become a big old empty nest, and that can feel rather lonely to some, downsizing after the kids have gone, offers a more suitable sized home for us to care for, it won’t feel as big and empty and it is less likely to feel lonely if the home is smaller as they are cosier also it may have a much smaller garden to maintain too.

• Cost

Running a big home comes at a price, it costs more to heat, and light and homeowners may want to try to retain some of that cash by downsizing, especially if the big home isn’t really necessary to our lifestyles anymore. Downsizing could also give the opportunity to make money off a sale and use it for other things in life, especially nearer retirement age.

• Lifestyle

Homeowners often like to live as efficiently as possible, and if that means downsizing to an apartment in the city as it’s much closer to work, then it’s a no brainer. Retirement age often offers flexibility to live wherever we would like, and it may be a desire to move to a country cottage, and out of the big family home you once had? Downsizing to suit lifestyle is generally top of the list for many homeowners.

• Breakups

Although a difficult one, downsizing following a breakup or divorce is often the ideal way to help a person recover from the stress and turmoil. Albeit a hard choice to make initially what better way to make a fresh start than to remove yourself from all of your ex’s belongings as well as the environment you once shared.

Downsizing top tips!

• De-clutterand make room for the move, now’s the time to sort like you never have before, it may take a while and may involve the kids, especially if they’ve left masses of belongings behind when they moved out.
• Organisationis the key to success; plan everything from packing to removals well in advance so that the actual moving day is as least stressful as possible.
• No more purchase!Save any buying you may be tempted with until after the move as we need fewer contents at this point, not more. You can always splash the cash-later on- once you’re in your new home.
• Storage solutions…there is always the opportunity to place items into Dublin storage, albeit temporarily or even long-term if you need to. Sometimes people find it hard to downsize because parting with treasured possessions is never an easy thing to do, if you are feeling the brunt of it right now, you could hire suitable storage units to place your items into for safekeeping and allow you to bide some time until you feel more ready to sort through it. You never know after living without certain things for some time, it may make you feel differently about holding onto them.