The Challenges of Downsizing to a Smaller Home

The “small house movement” is fully underway in 2020 and if you’re one of many homeowners looking to downsize to a smaller home, chances are you’ve given it plenty of thought. For the longest time, homes have become some sort of status symbol to many people. The perception is that the larger the home, the more successful the person is. Or so they thought. But the problem with bigger houses is that there’s often plenty of unused space, especially for small families that live in spacious interiors. It also takes more time and effort to maintain, which can sometimes turn into a minor inconvenience.

Because of this, many homeowners are contemplating on downsizing to a smaller home. A home where they can still comfortably live in and have all the amenities they need without the excess space to go along with it. If you’re thinking about giving up a big, luxurious home and transition into a smaller and more practical property, then you should prepare for yourself for the challenges that lie ahead.

Here are some of the common challenges that many homeowners face when moving to a smaller home.

The emotional attachment

Homeowners may find it difficult to part ways with their larger home. After all, embracing change doesn’t always come naturally, especially if you’ve worked hard to achieve your dream property. You’ve grown accustomed to living inside this big house for years and that might hold you back from downsizing to a smaller home. But if you’re clinging to a larger space because of emotional attachment, are you holding onto it for the right reasons?

Sure, a larger home means more space for storage and amenities. But if two of your extra bedrooms are just collecting dust instead of accommodating people, then it may not be worth the resources to maintain them. You might feel a bit sentimental about the thought of moving on from your large house, and that’s okay. The only question is whether or not your feelings will dictate how you go about moving to a smaller home or staying in the one you’re currently on.

Getting rid of stuff

Naturally, when you downsize to a smaller home, you will have to get rid of some of your belongings. Whether it be your favorite king-sized bed that you never used or the accumulated junk in your garage, purging your items is something you’ll have to face when giving up the larger house. For some homeowners, this is the perfect opportunity to do away with the clutter and get rid of items that they don’t really need. For others, it may not sound as easy.

If you’re not ready to part ways with some of your possessions, ask yourself this question, “Do I really need this when I move to a smaller home?” If the answer is no, then you should think carefully on how you plan on getting rid of it.

Changing location

One of the biggest challenges associated with downsizing is changing location. If you’re moving to a place that’s far away from your workplace and your friends, you may find it difficult to adjust. But if you’re moving to an accessible place that’s not far away from your previous home, foregoing your larger home may seem like a reasonable idea. Getting to know new neighbours and familiarizing yourself with the new area are some of the things you’ll go through when you downsize to a smaller home.

This means moving away from the familiar and if you’re not ready for that yet, just give yourself time and think about things thoroughly. 

Why consider downsizing to a smaller home

There are plenty of reasons why homeowners are drawn to this idea of moving to a smaller home. For one, the house will cost less, which means lower insurance and lower property taxes. Secondly, you get to use all of the living spaces within your property and allow you to maximize the value of your house. The third and final reason is that you’re giving yourself more room to prepare for financial expenses down the road. No one’s life is guaranteed to stay the same forever and by taking advantage of the cost-savings you get with a smaller home, you’ll be able to weather the financial storms that may come in the future.

Living inside a smaller house is not as bad as you think. It’s just that people have grown accustomed to the perception that a larger home equates to a happier, successful life. While it can be argued that a home is our necessity, we don’t actually need a too large or a living space where most of it is unused. If you’re looking to downsize to a smaller home, make sure to give it plenty of thought and consideration to help prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead. It is vital to deal with a professional removalist in Perth who can give you the best advice for your move.