These Are the Tools Every Downsizing Homeowner Needs

Are you thinking of selling your home for something smaller? Downsizing is a popular move among those who want to save money, simplify home maintenance, or live closer to town.

Downsizing can be a great choice — especially for empty nesters — but it’s more complicated than your standard move. In addition to selling a home, downsizers need to declutter their belongings, adapt to a smaller floor plan, and learn the ins and outs of a new neighborhood. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone. The following tools, including some that can help you declutter your space and take great real estate photos, make it easy to manage your downsize so you can focus on the important things, like decorating your new home!

General Downsizing Resources

Downsizing isn’t an “easy” process, regardless of your age. Fortunately, there are many ways to make it a little less challenging for you and your family. So, learn different ways to plug technology into the process to help you streamline and reduce your stress levels.

Your Move Simplified: The 9 Best Apps for Moving

Useful apps to help streamline each part of the moving process.

Sell, Digitize, Organize, and Clean Up Your Junk with These Apps

Declutter your living space before putting your home on the market.

Websites & Apps to Sell Stuff in Your Neighborhood

Learn where you can sell your stuff locally, and which websites charge commission.

5 Steps to Prepare Your House for Sale

You want to sell your home for the best price; use this checklist to help make that happen. Don't forget to plan each project in advance to give yourself time to complete (use your phone's calendar and reminders to help keep to-dos on your radar).

How to Take Real Estate Photos Worthy of a Magazine Spread

Learn the tricks of the photography trade to ensure photos of your home impress buyers.

Senior-Specific Selling Resources

Although downsizing will prove challenging for people from all walks of life, the process for seniors can be especially tricky, as it involves both physical and emotional challenges. Below, find a handful of resources specific to seniors going through the moving process.

How to Make Moving Easier for Seniors

Learn how to approach the moving process with sensitivity to ease the emotional tension.

How Technology Can Help Seniors

While some seniors embrace technology, others may run from it. Either way, technology can help during the move - plus, it can have many other benefits as well. 

Relocation Technology: How the Modern Moving Process Works for You

This resource illustrates how modern technology can make the tasks involved with moving more of a minor inconvenience rather than a massive hurdle.

Best Internet Plans
To make use of all the great moving apps, you’ll need a solid internet connection. If an upgrade is necessary, look for a plan that’s suited for your needs and that even offers senior discounts. 

8 Assisted Living Search Mistakes to Avoid

If your loved one is downsizing to an assisted living facility, it's important to prepare for the transition. Learn from mistakes others made to ensure you don't fall prey to the same issues.

These tools will be invaluable during your downsize, but they can’t make it happen overnight! Give yourself plenty of time to downsize so you can go at a steady pace and avoid a stressful move. Depending on the size of your home and how long you’ve lived there, it could take a couple of months up to a year to complete your downsize. But don’t worry: Your hard work is sure to pay off when you’re settled into a home that’s just the right size for you and your family.

Article by Jim Vogel with EldersAction.Org