Rightsizing isn’t just about moving from one home to another, it’s a complete lifestyle transition – one that’s designed to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. If you’ve lived in your home for a long time, you may have wondered about rightsizing and when the right time to make the change will be.
Here’s the thing, everyone is different, so the answer to this question is different for everyone. Some people take the leap when they’re older, some when they’re younger.
In this blog, we’ll go over some important considerations to help you decide what age will be right for you. Let’s get started.
How Do You Feel Now?
Rightsizing is a normal step in the cycle of homeownership. However, there’s no universal right or wrong time to do it. If you’ve lived in your home for a long time, it’s not always easy to know when it might no longer suit your needs. On top of this, there are usually all kinds of emotions and sentimental aspects attached to the home – which can make it even harder to have a clear, unbiased perspective about whether your home is still a good fit.
Start by asking yourself how you feel in your current home right now. Diving deeper, think about how your life has changed since you first moved into your current home. Is it simply too much to clean these days? Do you feel like the empty bedrooms are a waste of space? Are you growing tired of yard work? Or are you relatively comfortable and don’t feel like your home is interfering with your day-to-day life?
A successful rightsizing journey involves a well-planned home sale. Explore these other blog posts for key insights on selling in Utah.
What Do You Want From Your Next Chapter?
After you’ve thought about how you feel today, you’ll want to look ahead to tomorrow. When you close your eyes and picture your ideal future – what does it look like? Are you regularly hosting family events and gatherings? Maybe you’re on the slopes every day during ski season? Will you be working for a few more years or is retirement just around the corner? Do you anticipate needing to relocate for retirement, healthcare access, or to be closer to family?
Remember that rightsizing is so much more than just a change of address. With that in mind, it’s helpful to have a larger picture of how you’d like to spend your next chapter, even if it doesn’t seem directly related to your home at first.
Think of it this way, your home should match your life – not the other way around. Once you know what you’re looking for, a great real estate agent (like me) can match you with neighborhoods and communities that are ideal. For instance, let’s say you want to be a snowbird who heads south for warmer weather each winter. I can introduce you to gated or low-maintenance communities where you can simply lock your front door on not worry about it while you’re away.
What Are the Financial Aspects of Rightsizing?
Regardless of your age, there’s a good chance that your home and its carrying costs make up a big portion of your personal expenses. That being said, for many, rightsizing to a smaller home can mean cutting back on housing costs like insurance, utilities, maintenance, and property taxes.
If your current home is taking more from your wallet than it’s giving back, moving to a smaller space could help you hang on to more of your hard-earned income.
Not to mention, if you’ve spent decades building equity in your home, rightsizing can be a way to finally tap into it. This can give you greater financial freedom while you enjoy the next chapter of your life.
Exploring options for your next home? Check out these related blog posts for helpful insights on buying.
- How Co-Buying Can Solve Housing Affordability Challenges
- Home Inspections – Are They Necessary?
- 5 Essential Steps to Buying a House in Utah
Launch Your Rightsizing Journey
Rightsizing isn’t about hitting a specific age – it’s about finding the right moment in your life to make a change. Whether you’re in your late 40s and dreaming of a simpler lifestyle, in your 50s ready to reclaim time and resources, or in your 60s planning for the next chapter, it comes down to you.
When you’re ready to rightsize, we’re here to help! As real estate agents who help clients 50+ buy and sell every single day, we know all about the unique stressors and obstacles you might experience during your journey. That’s why we’ve created specialized services tailored directly to rightsizers.
After guiding you through a smooth home sale, we use our unique market expertise to help you find the perfect place to spend your next chapter. Along the way, we’ll provide personalized support for anything you may need throughout the transaction.
Thinking about rightsizing? Get in touch with me to start your journey! Call 801-949-9878 or send me an email at Julia@JuliaSplan.com.
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