Many homeowners start out in the market with a small condo. Though that first venture is an exciting milestone, the move up to a larger home is even more cause for celebration. Suddenly, you have more space for everything, possibly even a family of your own.

Not that moving is ever easy, but it can feel more positive when you’re upgrading to the next step. Downsizing from a house to a condo is a different experience altogether. It’s hard to imagine living anywhere else, and now you need to reevaluate every priority.

On top of all your conflicting feelings about moving, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with all of the details of selling your home and buying a new one. In this post, we’ll address the practical and emotional aspects of downsizing from your long-time home to a smaller space.

Do you have your eye on a new home or condo? Our buyer’s guide will be an invaluable resource. Download yours for free right here.

Ask for Help

Above all, remember that you don’t have to tackle any of this alone. You have lots of unofficial help from friends and family who care about you. Plus, your real estate agent can recommend trusted professionals to handle any repairs or larger tasks. Never be afraid to delegate!

With a team on your side, you’ll be astounded at what you can accomplish in a short period of time. Your move will be much more streamlined and less stressful. In addition, meticulous preparation ahead of time will help you earn the highest amount possible on your existing home. Any extra funds will go a long way in making the most of your downsizing experience.

Expert guidance is the best way to avoid stress or confusion when moving to a new home. Learn more in How To Find The Best Ancaster Realtor® For You.

Get an Early Start

One of the best pieces of advice when moving from a house to a condo is to start planning as early as you can. You already know that there will be some ups and downs in the process, and giving yourself time is the surest way to alleviate any stress or anxiety you may be feeling.

If you have six months or even a year to sort through your belongings, you can take a break when you need it. There’s no such luxury if you put it off to the last minute and are racing against the clock before your closing day.

However, we also realize that life is unpredictable, and sometimes you may need to move sooner than you anticipated. In that case, gathering a support network to help you can still mean a successful downsizing experience. If you work with the O’Reilly Group to either sell or buy your home, we can connect you with professional cleaners and moving services to fast-track the process.

Searching for your perfect community after retirement? Here are a few contenders to consider:

• Why Should Empty-Nesters Consider Dundas?
• Why Should You Downsize To A Condo In Ancaster?
• Where Are Hamilton’s Best Communities For Retirees?

Take It One Step at a Time

Real estate transactions can be complex at the best of times. When you’re both buying and selling, it can feel like everything is happening all at once. Still, it’s important to remember that you can only focus on one thing at a time.

Breaking the process down into smaller steps makes it feel less stressful – even if those steps happen in rapid succession! Having a series of checklists throughout each phase will help you avoid having to juggle too much.

• When decluttering, take it one room at a time. Put a series of labelled boxes on the floor for everything that you will keep, donate, or throw away. Just be sure to avoid the temptation to put anything in another room. We only want to do this step once!
• When cleaning, start from the top and work your way down. Washing the ceiling first and the floors last means you won’t need to clean the same room twice.
• Make a list of minor repairs that will make your listing stand out. If you’ve maintained your house well over the years, you likely don’t need anything major, which can be a relief when you’re in a time crunch. Your real estate agent can help you determine what improvements will give you the best return on your investment.
• Start thinking about what features you want in your condo. Your living space may be smaller, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sacrifice your lifestyle. A building with a rooftop terrace or indoor pool can allow you to downsize in style!

More people from all ages and walks of life are starting to choose Hamilton and Ancaster for their forever homes. Should you join them? The posts below can help you decide:

• A Home Buyer’s Guide To Hamilton Real Estate
• Is Hamilton Real Estate Worth It?
• Ancaster Vs Hamilton: What Are the Differences?

A Change in Perspective

The challenges of moving aren’t just practical. The biggest hurdles are often the emotional implications, and “downsizing” can be a loaded word for some people. Moving from a condo to a house typically feels like a new beginning. When in reverse, it feels like a chapter in your life is closing, and it can be hard to think about moving on.

If this feels familiar, it might help to reframe how you view this experience. You may be downsizing your house, but that does not have to mean downsizing your life. Sometimes, you may even have the same square footage, but with a sense of freedom like never before. With less home maintenance to worry about and potentially more cash at your disposal, you just might be able to live larger than ever.

Whenever you start feeling wistful about leaving your existing home, think about that dream vacation you’ve always wanted but never had time for. Remember that one chapter may be at an end, but your story is far from over.

Do you want a downsizing experience that you can look forward to? Our Hamilton and Ancaster real estate agents can guide you to the best possible outcome in today’s market. Reach out to us at hello@theoreillygroup.ca or call 905-512-5323 to talk about your next steps.

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