The day has finally come when your child packs up and leaves for college. This is an exciting time, but it can also be a little bittersweet. One of the things you will have to do now that they are gone is downsize your home. Downsizing is the process where you reduce the size of your home, usually by selling your current home and buying a smaller one.
There are many reasons why you may want to downsize home when your child goes off to college. Maybe you are tired of all the upkeep that a larger home requires. Maybe you want to save money on things like utilities and property taxes. Or perhaps you want to be closer to your child’s college town. Whatever your reasons, downsizing can be a great way to simplify your life.
If you are thinking about downsizing, there are a few things you will need to do to make the process go smoothly.
1) Declutter your home
The first step in downsizing is to declutter your home. This means getting rid of any items that you do not need or use on a regular basis. If you have never decluttered your home before, this process can seem daunting. But it is important to remember that you do not have to get rid of everything. Instead, focus on removing the things that are taking up unnecessary space.
The things you are getting rid of must either be thrown away, donated, or stored in a storage facility. This will depend on the item and its sentimental value to you. If you decide to go along with a storage facility, please determine the storage unit cost and the duration you will need it for. As this will add to your moving costs.
2) Sell your home
The next step is to sell your home. If you are not sure whether you want to sell your home or rent it out, there are a few things to consider. For example, if you live in an area with a high demand for rental properties, you may be able to get a good return on your investment by renting out your home. On the other hand, if you do not want to deal with the hassle of being a landlord, selling your home may be the best option.
3) Find a smaller home
Once you have decluttered your home and sold it (or rented it out), it is time to find a smaller home that better suits your needs. If you are downsize your home because you want to save money, look for a home that is more affordable than your current one. If you are downsizing because you want to be closer to your child’s college town, look for a home in that area.
4) Adjust to your new life
The final step is to adjust to your new life. This may take some time, but eventually, you will get used to living in a smaller home. You may even find that you enjoy it! Just remember to take things one day at a time and be patient with yourself.
All in all, downsizing when your kid goes off to college can be a great way to simplify your life. Just be sure to declutter your home, sell your current home (or rent it out), and find a smaller home that better suits your needs. And finally, adjust to your new life. It may take some time, but eventually, you will get used to it!
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