Washington County Weekend Post e-edition
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REAL ESTATE | LIFE STAGES Going smaller doesn't have be painful. Keep reading for tips on how to downsize and find the right place for your lifestyle. START THE DECLUTTERING PROCESS A general rule of thumb according to Rocket Mortgage is to start at least three months before you plan to move. Find a balance and work through your possessions room by room. There are several meth- ods of decluttering you can use, but remember that there's no right way to declutter. Use a way that works for you. MEASURE OUT YOUR NEW SPACE You need to know the square footage and shape of the rooms you're going to move into in order to know what items of furniture you need to keep and what can go. If you don't have measure- ments, just look at general decluttering and get rid of items you absolutely know you won't need. Bear in mind that your current furniture might not fit in your space. Don't try to squeeze your giant furniture into a tiny space. Instead, make thoughtful choices about what you can take. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF Understanding why you want to downsize and what lifestyle you want to live can help you when decluttering in preparation for downsizing. Some suggested questions from Rocket Mortgage include: • What are your top reasons for wanting to downsize? • What opportunities will downsizing create? • What will you miss the most about your old home? • Are there new hobbies or activities that you'd like to explore? • What are you most excited about in downsizing? • What are you most nervous about? • What is the first thing you want to do when you're settled into your new home? Set your goals before you start decluttering to help you more thoroughly understand what you should keep and what needs to go. WHAT TO DO WITH SENTIMENTAL ITEMS You can't take it all with you. For items that have a special meaning, consider passing them on the friends and family. Schedule pick-up times at least a week or two before you move. Downsizing Considerations Once the kids are out of the house, you may start thinking about downsizing and cashing out some of the equity in your home. © ADOBE STOCK