When the last of summer's heat is a faint memory, and you're pulling out your hoodies more than your shorts, it's time to tackle a few simple chores that'll make winter more pleasant and prevent some nasty surprises next spring. This fall checklist helps!
(excerpted from Dan Stout at familyhandyman.com)
What once may have been the perfect home for you and your family may now seem too large. If you’re unsure whether it’s time for you to downsize, here are 10 signs that may point you in the right direction.
Maintenance Has Become Overwhelming - If the cost and physical activity it takes to maintain your house and yard has become too much, and is a source of frustration, it’s likely time to downsize.
Unsustainable Monthly Expenses - In addition to the price of maintenance, simply owning a large home can carry steep holding costs. Taxes can rise dramatically as valuations increase, which is especially hard for those on fixed income. Generally speaking, a smaller home equals smaller monthly expenses.
Time To Cash Out the Land Bank - Even if you’re doing fine, you may want to consider selling a home with a value that has risen steadily over the years. Maybe you want to set up your retirement. Or cross some items off the bucket list. That money tied up in your larger home can be made to work for you more directly!
Empty, Unused Space - Why spend time and money keeping unused areas clean and heated when they’re far more likely to collect junk than bring joy? That space isn’t just sitting there, it’s weighing you down - financially, physically and mentally.
Reminder of Loss - Empty nesters, widows and widowers, divorcees, or those who have lost a job may find their home is a constant reminder of loss. If the thought of a new home lifts a weight from your shoulders, its likely time to downsize.
Aging in Place - Some choose to downsize to a more accessible home that will meet their needs as they age (bungalow or condo, walk-in shower, walker-friendly doorways) instead of an assisted living facility.
A Growing Desire to Simplify Your Life - Many people who settle in large homes end up wishing they had purchased a smaller one. Financial reasons may be part of it, but some seek to downsize in order to strip away unneeded complications and focus on what matters most.
Major Life Change - A major life change is often a sign that it’s time to simplify and downsize. This may occur at retirement. Other such events include loss of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job, or a desire to chase a long-held dream. Whatever the reason, is your current home the best match for your new situation?
Environmental Impact - If your impact on the environment is a top priority for you, one of the most dramatic ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to downsize your home to the size that’s perfect for you.
You’re Often Away From Home - What’s the point of having a big, beautiful home if you're never in it? If you’re constantly traveling for business, or at the cottage all summer and down south all winter, then the mortgage interest, taxes and utility costs to maintain that property is money down the drain. If it feels like you’re not making the best use of your home, consider whether it makes more sense to downsize.