c45472e4 fd38 46d6 85c8 936a3ace156c

Amanda Robertson

Downsizing

Find your downsizing sweet spot on the Mid North Coast

by
Find your downsizing sweet spot on the Mid North Coast

OK. You love where you live, the amenities and the routine. However, as we near the final 30 or 40 years of our lives, don’t you feel it’s time to embark on an adventure? I for one ‘embraced the new’ to move to the Gloucester region. So flip that mindset from feeling like any change would be a loss and recognise the benefits.

You’re moving towards an easier life

Maybe you feel you have a good life but you sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the stuff you have and need to do. The mowing, the endless maintenance. So when you consider what downsizing might mean, look at it this way: you’re moving to “better”. A less complicated life. New friends and experiences. Renewing your acquaintance with an old hobby or taking up a new one. Taking all those trips you felt you didn’t have time for.

Better cash flow
When you downsize, you’ll release equity in your home that can go into your superannuation or an annuity (whatever your financial adviser recommends) to boost your living standard.

Lower cost of living
Moving from a large family home to a smaller (or just less costly) home or even an apartment by the sea will save you money on your electricity and gas bills as well as council and water rates.

More time
You’re moving towards never mowing the lawn again or cleaning the pool or taking care of livestock. However, it’s important to figure out how you’ll fill your days.

More travel
With less time spent on maintaining an older home or property, you’ll have more time to take those trips you only ever fantasised about.

My tips for embracing downsizing

Downsizing is best approached using steps you can control.

  • Make a plan

Once you’ve (sort of) got the idea you’d like to (or need to) downsize, start planning and ask yourself the key questions. What’s most important to me? Where would I like to live? How much space do I need?

If you own your own home, find out what to do to prepare your home for sale. Put together a list of charities who will pick up excess furniture or talk to your family to see if any of them could use your stuff.

  • Decide what is enough

Most of us, even the dedicated declutterers, manage to accumulate so much stuff. You can’t take it with you ‒ not all of it. So imagine your new life in your new home: what do you need (and I’m not talking about all the ‘just in case’ stuff). The less stuff you have, the less you have to worry about, like working out how to pack it and where to store it.

  • Start decluttering

I’m going to jump right in and start with the hard bit: the sentimental stuff. Many of us have items that belonged to our parents, the kids’ school reports, the first paintings. (With children’s stuff, the easiest option is to pack it up and send it to the relevant child. Then it’s their problem.)

Remember that you are separate from your belongings. If you can’t find a home for sentimental stuff within your family, take photos of everything you’re mushy about then give it to someone you know will appreciate it or donate it to a charity.

  • Have a decluttering method

To make decluttering easier on you and anyone around you, set up four boxes (or large bin bags if you can’t source boxes). Label them separately as Keep, Maybe, Donate and Toss. Leave your Donate container by the front or back door so you’ll be prompted to take your donations to a charity. For furniture, use coloured stickers for Keep, Donate or Junk.

Emotions on the other side of downsizing

While some will cling to their old lives, most people find themselves excited about living in a new home or a new town; in fact, the word they use often is ‘liberated’. Of course, that could be that the hard work is done! Now all you need to do is find a home for those possessions you brought with you and start making new friends. Good luck!

Need advice on selling your Gloucester region property?

As a proud local, I’m here to guide you through the process of selling your home. I specialise in lifestyle, rural and residential properties. I’ve done it myself and helped many families over my career. So give me a call; I’m here to help.

How to rightsize your life in the Gloucester region

by
pexels ketut subiyanto 4246225 1

As the holiday season comes to an end and we have to pack up the holiday house or camp site, our thoughts might turn to making a permanent change.
If you’ve owned a property for decades, this might be the year you choose to make the holiday destination your permanent home. Perhaps you dream of fishing the Barrington River for trout or bass, taking long walks to watch the sunset across the Bucketts or getting the boat out to continue exploring the river and lakes.
My husband and I made our move to Gloucester after several years of searching for the right place that met our dreams – and we’re so glad we chose to relocate.
However, many of us can feel overwhelmed at the thought of selling up and moving. Don’t worry. If you take it in easy steps, you’ll be there in no time.

What is rightsizing?

You’ve heard of downsizing? We prefer ‘rightsizing’ as this implies that you get all the dwelling space you need and none you don’t. You might prefer to move to a retirement village with a smaller space and no worries about maintenance. On the other hand, we’ve had clients who’ve moved from cities or towns to acreage because they have large extended families and want to be able to host huge clan gatherings.

Wherever you choose, think of rightsizing as future-proofing your life.

Where to start your rightsizing journey

There are steps to follow that will make the process easier for you.

1. Consider carefully where you’d like to move to

Although holiday towns are appealing for a few weeks a year, do they have the services and facilities you’ll need all year? Medical? Shopping? Theatre? Tennis club? Golf clubs?

2. Try renting first if you’re moving to a new area

This would mean two moves, of course, but you can get a feel for the area without a great financial commitment. You want to know of any issues in the street or suburb before you take out a mortgage.

3. Declutter your home or farm

It doesn’t make any difference if you’re moving to a smaller or a larger home; you won’t want to carry all the stuff you’ve accumulated for all the time you’ve lived on your farm or home in town.

In decluttering your home, you’ll learn what possessions you appreciate and what you can discard. We recommend the four-pile process and go room by room.

      • Pile 1 is what you definitely want to take with you into your new life.

      • Pile 2 is for Undecided. You can revisit this pile once you’ve done each room.

      • Pile 3 is for items you want to give to your family or friends, or to donate to local charities. Keep in mind that decluttering can be an emotional process so give yourself enough time to do it well or you’ll end up with boxes of possessions you don’t need in your new home.

      • Pile 4 is for stuff you need to shred (like old documents you won’t need), stuff you’ve hung onto because you think you’ll fix it one day and stuff that isn’t fit for anyone else to use. Remember that most sales require ‘vacant possession’ and you’ll need to remove all equipment and rubbish before settlement.

    Hot tip: Take a photo of each room in your home before you declutter. Most people I know regret not doing this and wish they’d kept photographic memories.

    4. Hire some help

    If you can’t find anyone to hire, phone a friend. We’ve all got that one friend who can move in like a bulldozer and get you sorted. Get your children involved if they’re old enough. The point is, doing it on your own can feel overwhelming.

    5. Don’t rush

    While sparkling ocean views or the peace of a riverside home might appeal and draw you strongly to make a move as soon as you’re back from holidays, think carefully about what you want your life to look like in the future and remember that preparing your home for sale always takes longer than you expect. Talk to me about selling; I’m here to guide and advise you.

    Need help rightsizing and selling your home?

    As a proud local, I’m here to guide you through the process of rightsizing and selling. I’ve done it myself and helped many families over my career. So give me a call; I’m here to help.