Downsizing Tips for Your Move to a Smaller Home
So you’ve decided to make the move and downsize to a smaller house. Downsizing is exciting, but it can also be a major transition. You’ll need to make sure that you’re financially prepared to make the move as well as understand how downsizing will impact your lifestyle. Less space in your new house means less room for your belongings, so you’ll need to part with your stuff—and that’s not always an easy task. With so many decluttering methods and organizing tips out there, downsizing can feel overwhelming, but with a little guidance on how to get rid of the things you don’t need, you’ll be prepared to maximize space in your new small home and decorate to make rooms appear bigger. Here’s everything you need to know about clearing out clutter, maximizing your new home’s storage potential, and handy tricks for decorating small rooms.
Understand the Hidden Costs to Downsize Your House
There are many reasons to downsize, including the possibility of reducing your mortgage payment and utility bills, but if you’re downsizing to save money, make sure you’re aware of the potential hidden costs before you make your move. The cost to move and furnish a new home are two of the most common burdens on the budget. You’ll also want to factor in some money to cover any repairs your existing home might need to get it ready to sell. Then there’s always the potential for higher property taxes, the need for storage rental, and the ever-changing homeowner’s association fees. WEBSITE
10 Tips On How To Downsize Your Home
Common Reasons For Downsizing
People decide to downsize their homes for several reasons. Sometimes it’s a matter of needing less space or wanting to save money. In other cases, you may need to downsize out of necessity. Here are a few common reasons people downsize:
- Divorce: Usually, one of the spouses stays in the home after a divorce, or they both move out and sell the home. Either way, one or both spouses may decide they need to move to a smaller home for budgetary reasons or because they don’t need as much space.
- Money savings: Money is one of the most common reasons people downsize. When you move to a smaller home, there’s a good chance you’ll have a smaller mortgage. You’ll pay less for the home and have smaller monthly mortgage payments.
- Less home maintenance: Maintaining a home – especially a large one – can be a lot of work. If you no longer can or want to spend your time on home maintenance, it may make sense to downsize. You may even downsize to an apartment where a landlord handles all the upkeep.
- Minimalism: In the past few decades, minimalism has become a major trend. Many people are beginning to realize they have more space and belongings than they need, so they commit to downsizing.
- Life transition: Divorce is one life transition that can cause someone to downsize, but it’s not the only one. Maybe your kids are away at college, and now you’re an empty nester with more space than you need. Or perhaps you have to move to a different city and end up buying a smaller home. WEBSITE
A Comprehensive Guide to Downsizing Your Home (2024)
6 Benefits of Downsizing Your Home
More Americans have been downsizing their living spaces in recent years. According to Realtor Magazine, people looking to downsize accounted for 28% of real estate transactions in 2020. Although most of those transactions involved buyers aged 55 or older, baby boomers and the Silent Generation are not the only demographics interested in smaller homes. Many young couples are competing for homes with 1,400 or fewer square feet.
At first blush, downsizing might sound like a bad thing. Because of how downsizing often plays out in the business world, many people associate the term with a sense of loss or limitation. Despite these negative connotations, the pros of downsizing can easily outweigh the cons—especially for savvy homeowners. Below are a few benefits you can expect from downsizing your home.
- Lower Utility Bills
- Increased Cash Flow
- Fewer Maintenance Costs
- Reduced Clutter
- Less Cleaning
- Less Financial Stress… WEBSITE
Ralene Nelson, REALTOR
JUST LISTED – 50 River Rd. Rio Vista,
2bed/1 bath/772sqft
$150,000 – This new Skyline manufactured home, located in West Wind Mobile Park, is perfect for a starter home or your retirement home. The home has two bedrooms & one bath with a lovely kitchen with gas stove & room for small dining table, as well as, counter for bar stools. Carpet in bedrooms & laminate in remaining home, & comes with 70 TV. Carport for 2 cars tandem, awning & shed on entry door side. Home has patio area for those BBQ days. Walk to the river front & town, don’t forget to bring your fishing poles. Appliances convey with sale. Roof is cellulose, fiberglass cement siding, cashew color shaker cabinets & mini blinds. READ MORE
FOR SALE 15967 Isleton Rd, Isleton
4bed/2bath/2,836sqft2,836 sf/1.37acre lot
$475,000 – This is an opportunity to own a home next to the river. Original home built in 1940, 1260 sq ft, then 3 stories added to home. The lot is 1.37 acres, with room to add a pool. This home has 4 bedrooms & 2 baths with lots of space for entertaining. The home is heated with 4 pellet stoves, 1 on each floor, & the natural breezes cool off the home in the summer. The boat dock is a lease with the State of California, acting through the State Lands Commission. The lease is dated 6/21/18 for 10 years. The gangplank is damaged. This home features 2 wrap-around decks. The laundry room & 2nd kitchen are located in the original house with a bedroom/sitting room. The primary bedroom is located on the 3rd floor with an elevated space for sitting & watching the boat traffic on the Sacramento River. The newer section has dual-pane windows, and the original section is single-pane. The lot provides so much space for entertaining your family & guests as well as 3 storage units. Only 1 storage unit has electricity. Home is a project waiting for your building & decorating skills and is priced to reflect that. All appliances convey with sale. WEBSITE
1.935ac Poppy House Rd. & Norman Richards Dr. Rio Vista
$410,000 – Zoned Commercial, No Cannabis. Contact Ralene Nelson at Re/Max Grupe Gold | BRE# 01503588 | 707.334.0699 | 107 Main St. Rio Vista. WEBSITE
4873 Lone Tree Wy, Antioch, CA
Events in Northern California this Weekend
Spring Family Fun Day
Sunday, April 14 12:30 – 4:30pm
Brownstone Gardens, 91 Brownstone Road Oakley
Get ready for a bloomin’ good time at our “Spring Has Sprung and Life is Fun!” Family Fun Day event, where we’ll be celebrating the joys of the Spring season! General admission is FREE, so grab your loved ones and come enjoy the festivities!
Activities for the day include:
- Live Music by Dustin Heer: Get into the spirit of spring with live music from Dustin Heer, setting the perfect tone for a day of family fun!
- Children’s Activities: Let your little ones embrace the magic of spring with face painting, bouncing in our jumpy house, and showcasing their coloring skills in our coloring contest!
- Beer, Wine, and Mimosas: Raise a glass and toast to good times with friends and family!
- Vendor Row: Explore our marketplace filled with local artisans and makers, supporting local businesses while enjoying the lively atmosphere!
- Enhance your experience with our festive add-ons:
- Blooming Garden Afternoon Tea: Join us for an enchanting afternoon of elegance and indulgence at our “Blooming Garden Afternoon Tea” event. Step into a world of floral delights as we transform our venue into a blooming oasis, inviting you to relax and savor the beauty of spring. Indulge your senses with a selection of exquisite teas, handpicked to complement the season’s flavors and aromas. Delight in delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with butter and preserves, and an assortment of delectable pastries, all inspired by the bountiful blooms of a spring garden. WEBSITE
VOY 10th Annual Crab Feast Fundraiser
Saturday, April 13 · 7 – 10pm
Barbara Morse Wackford Community & Aquatic Complex, 9014 Bruceville Rd Elk Grove
Voice of the Youth presents their 10th Annual Crab Feast Fundraiser on April 13th at the Wackford Community Center from 6:30 pm-10:00 pm. The event includes “ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB”, Dj, Raffle, Bar, and More. Chef Accius will be serving his Famous “HOT” Crackin Cajun and Lemon Herb Crab. All proceeds will go to support the VOY program and this year College Tours to SoCal and HBCUs.
San Joaquin Asparagus Festival
Friday, April 12th Noon-10pm, Saturday, April 13th Noon-10pm, Sunday, April 14th Noon-8pm
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, 1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton
Fun Family Entertainment & Fantastic Food
The San Joaquin Asparagus Festival draws a considerable amount of visitors in the Spring that come together to enjoy the fun, savor the food and catch up with old friends, all while making new memories! Join us back at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.
ASPARAGUS ALLEY WITH DEEP-FRIED ASPARAGUS AND ASPARAGUS ICE CREAM CLOSES PROMPTLY AT 7PM. BUILDINGS WILL CLOSE AT 7 PM, CARNIVAL, OUTDOOR VENDORS, MAIN STAGE AND MONSTER TRUCK RIDES WILL STAY OPEN UNTIL 10 PM ON FRIDAY & SATURDAY, 8 PM ON SUNDAY. Reference map on activities page for areas that close at 7pm.
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Fun in the Sun Car Show
April 13th 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Concord High School, 4200 Concord Blvd
CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR BOOSTERS PRESENT
The First Annual Fun in the Sun car show!
*Cars will start rolling in at 8am*
One ticket is for entry of a vehicle to the event and participation in the various categories of awards.
Concord High School Choir Boosters is hosting its inaugural car show. We are inviting you to participate in this the community event and to show off your amazing cars.
