When we’re young, we often dream of owning a spacious home with all the bells and whistles. But as we get older, it’s not unusual to have more modest goals, including a more manageable small home that better suits our needs. So if the kids have left and you find yourself rattling around the house, it might be time to think about downsizing.
Downsizing has some fantastic benefits for empty nesters. It can help release capital and provide you with a positive lifestyle change. It also has other advantages such as reduced utility bills and council rates, as well as less maintenance and fewer repairs – giving you greater peace of mind, especially when the cost of living continues to rise.
Here are some of the major benefits of selling your larger family home and building a smaller house.
When you move into a smaller home, it forces you to get rid of clutter. Retirees who stay in large homes tend to only use a few rooms, like the bedroom, kitchen and living room. Other areas often end up collecting clutter (and dust). Getting rid of unwanted furniture, unused exercise machines and out-dated electronics gives you so much extra living space, so a smaller home probably won’t feel small at all! There’s no doubt that having things well-organised simplifies your life and gives you more time to yourself.
From cleaning and gardening, to pool care and general repairs, living in a larger home takes up more of your time and money. By downsizing, you’ll have less responsibility, less maintenance, more cash in your pocket and greater flexibility, which all helps reduce stress as you head into retirement. This frees you up to do things like spending time with family and just enjoying your home, rather than being a slave to it.
Constantly rising energy bills are now a huge part of the household budget, but they can be reduced considerably by downsizing. Larger homes require more power to heat, cool and light, so you could save a lot by moving to a smaller home. You’ll also be doing your bit for the environment by consuming less energy.
If there’s nowhere to put it, you’re much less likely to buy it. That means less money spent on clothes, food and consumer goods that you really don’t need, and more money to spend on enjoying life!
Are you currently living in a two level home? Is your staircase becoming a barrier that prevents you from enjoying the full use of your home? If you have mobility issues, downsizing gives you the opportunity to choose a single storey house design with greater accessibility. That means you’ll be able to live in your home longer, rather than moving to assisted living. It also reduces your risk of falls and injuries.
By downsizing and reducing costs such as your mortgage, maintenance and other household bills, you’ll have more to spend on living life. It’s the perfect time to book that trip to a bucket list destination. Plus, travel is usually much less hassle once you’ve downsized.
If the idea of low-maintenance living appeals to you, take a look at the huge selection of single storey houses and small home designs from Hallmark Homes. As a family-owned project builder with over 35 years experience building quality homes, Hallmark has a house plan to suit the way you want to live. We have a variety of house and land packages available in South-East Queensland, so visit one of our display centres or contact us today.
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