Moving homes is stressful, regardless of your age. But for seniors who have lived in the same place for years or decades, the process can be especially emotional. However, most empty nesters and seniors understand that there will come a day when they’ll have to downsize.
This can be due to a number of reasons, including to:
- Simplify their lifestyle
- Cut costs
- Be closer to their children and grandchildren
- Address changing medical needs
Looking to Downsize? Our Calgary Realtors Can Help You Find the Perfect Space
Whatever the reason, downsizing can be an emotionally and physically tolling process, but it doesn’t have to become overwhelming. Whether you’re a senior or an empty nester, our Calgary realtors can help you find the perfect space for this new phase in your life.
Want to know more?
6 Tips From Our Calgary Realtor To Make Downsizing Easy For Seniors
As you grow older, your needs change, which is why creating a safe environment and adapting your living situation to your current requirements is fundamental. Taking this adventure into your own hands is a great amount of work, so it’s always best for empty nesters and seniors to work with a professional real estate agent to find the perfect new home.
Apart from working with the right Calgary realtor, here are some downsizing tips that can make your move easier:
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Avoid tackling the whole house in one go. For seniors, it can be emotionally and physically taxing to deal with all the memorabilia at once, so it’s better to take small steps and tackle one room at a time. This process can be time-consuming, so start early and set aside one day a week for going through your things.
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Know your measurements. Before decluttering for your new move, make sure you know how much space you’re going to have, and if you can, obtain a floor plan of your new space. This will give you a clearer idea of what can really fit in your new home, and what needs to go.
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Gift heirlooms to your family. Heirlooms hold a lot of memories and family history, so they are difficult to discard. If you have heirlooms that won’t fit in your new space, but you can’t bring yourself to get rid of them, why not gift them to your children, another family member, or friend? This way, you can still visit the items without having to hold space for them in your own home.
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Go digital. Do you have boxes of pictures from past holidays, birthday parties, and vacations? These can take up a lot of space in a home, but they are also full of memories you don’t want to give up. So why not digitize them? By copying your pictures to external memory drives, using a digital frame, or starting a scrapbook, not only will you have saved your memories, but you may find a new hobby too.
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Host a sale. If you have items that you don’t want to take along with you, but which are still in good condition, why not host a sale? By having a yard sale or putting up the items on eBay or Craigslist, you can make a few extra dollars while decluttering. If you have some especially rare items, you could even take them to a local antique store to see what you’d get for them.
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Give yourself time to reminisce. While you’re decluttering, there will be days when you’ll want to pause and let the nostalgia take over, and that’s okay! Starting early will allow you to enjoy these memories, just don’t let it prevent you from getting the job done.
Stay Positive About The Transition
Inevitably, most people will struggle with nostalgia when downsizing, but don’t let this apprehension get you down. Focusing on the positive and looking forward to the new transition will allow you to appreciate just how much simpler and easier your life is going to be in a new space without all the clutter.
With over 40 years of real estate experience, the Mel Star team in Calgary can help you find your dream home, no matter your needs, lifestyle, and specific preferences. To find out more about how we can help you transition into your new home smoothly and quickly, contact us at (403) 284-6333, fill in our contact form or visit in person at 206-2411 4 St NW, Calgary, AB T2M 2Z8.
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