7 Benefits of Downsizing to a Smaller Home

People often connect downsizing a home with retirement, as many homeowners who have become empty-nesters may not want to cover the costs of a big family home on a fixed income. Elderly citizens still make up the majority of the population who see downsizing as a way to economize. However, it is not only the seniors who look at downsizing as a way to cut costs. More and more young people are giving up on big homes in favor of less costly residences. While lower expenses are the main reason, there are a few other benefits of downsizing a home that make it so widely popular.

#1 Bigger Savings For Those Living On A Budget

If you have built equity in your current home, it will serve you well when you decide to downsize. One of the first and significant benefits of downsizing a home is the ability to prepare financially for your retirement ahead of time. Buying and moving to a smaller house will:

leave you with a price difference boosting your savings account,
ease the pressure on your monthly budget with lower utility expenses,
lower your home maintenance expenses, and in some cases, even eliminate them.

Those who are at the beginning of their careers these days tend to think a bit differently. Big homes seem to be out of reach to many young professionals and couples anyway.

So, instead of working night and day to cover the mortgage or ludicrously high rents, they move to smaller homes. The benefit of financial security in these uncertain times is more welcome than the luxury of a big house.

#2 Hoarding Becomes A Thing Of The Past

Moving to a smaller home makes stockpiling not only unwelcome but downright impossible. Having less space encourages you to be better organized. The part of your home dedicated to storage should use all the nooks and crannies that are often left underutilized in bigger houses.

The inability to accumulate things is one of the advantages of downsizing that is often wrongly seen as a drawback. The fact you have limited space will make you step on the brake. Having less space forces you to curb impulse buying, making it easier to save for truly important things and experiences. Don’t forget that the cleanup starts before you move. Keep or gift the items with emotional value, and donate, sell or throw away all the rest. Having less stuff means less maintenance, less to clean, and a neater, less stressful environment.

#3 Switching Focus To Healthier Outdoor Experiences

The smaller the home, the lesser the desire to remain indoors. A cozy nook to call yours is all you truly need as a base. From that point on, you can explore all the amenities in your neighborhood and enjoy numerous healthy outdoor activities. After all, the idea of enjoyable living is in pleasant experiences. Focusing on regular cleaning and decluttering of your big home doesn’t fit in that concept.

In essence, it is crucial to figure out how big a home you can afford once you switch to a fixed income and how big it should be not to become a burden. Once you do your homework, reward yourself by imagining your new lifestyle and a plethora of hobbies or projects you can finally afford to pursue.

#4 Improved Accessibility

Living in a smaller house affords you a better awareness of the home. You get better control of the space if you frequently use all the rooms at your disposal. Keeping only the furniture you need is not only practical and economical but also allows you to move around freely. Small homes are not cluttered or limited by definition.

Even downsizing to a much smaller home doesn’t confine the residents if the belongings are cleverly organized. Moreover, you will always know where you keep something. Smaller belongings get easily lost in bigger houses. In small homes, they simply fit.

#5 Stronger Sense of Security

Obviously, it is much easier to make a smaller home fully secure. Having in mind the smaller area compared to big family houses, installing a security system is much less expensive. You can purchase top-quality equipment and still save as you will need less material to cover your entire home. Your improved sense of security starts with the relocation, though. Among the things you can do to simplify the process of moving to a smaller home, hiring reliable, insured professionals is a top priority.

#6 You Can Direct Your Investments Better

Owning a big home has always been a status symbol, and this perception is not going away any time soon. And yet, who says you can’t be successful and still live in a smaller home? The difference is that you will focus your spending on a few valuable items, invest in smart systems that make life even more enjoyable, or spend on luxurious travels.

Living in a smaller home allows you to invest one more thing differently than before, and that is – your time. The number of chores in a home rises with square footage. At some point, you can’t finish the tasks on your own and require professional cleaning services or maintenance assistance. Saving time and money is one of the downsizing benefits you should not take lightly.

#7 Lower Ecological Footprint

It is unlikely that lower impact on the environment is the critical driving force behind downsizing a home, but it’s true; small homes are more eco-friendly. The amount of fuel necessary to heat or cool down space is obviously lower, which implies more significant savings. Maintenance is also an important aspect, meaning you can cut unnecessary costs on water, cleaning chemicals, and various other tools and equipment merely by downsizing.

The upsides of downsizing are unbeatable. You’re reducing your negative environmental impact once you move to a smaller home. At the same time, you’re decreasing your energy consumption as well as changing your purchasing habits. Less shopping implies less waste and eventually leads to a significant shift in perspective. In other words, all the benefits of downsizing a home elevate your outlook on life.

These days you can even buy a tiny house on Amazon (w/ free shipping).

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