How to “Right” size your Home? Downsize? Upsize to move in aging parents? Upsize to make more room for adult children? What is the “right size” for my family? I specialize in downsizing on The Main Line, but hold that thought, do you need to downsize? Will you regret it? How do you arrive at the Right Size for your home? Let’s take a step back and think about your future. Selling a larger home might seem like a great idea, until you realize that what you actually needed was to move help in, or vice versa. Here are some ways to make sure a home is the right size for you. First, how many people will be living at your home. When you are considering downsizing or upsizing, it might be tempting to consider guests and additional space for guest bedrooms. With this space comes more maintenance and often more responsibility. If you are moving family in, of course you need more space, but if you are space keeping in the event of visitors, the space may just go unused. When you think of moving think strictly of your immediate needs, especially when downsizing. Next, consider maintenance fees. Do you find your current landscaping and home maintenance responsibilities to be too much or are you comfortable taking on more? Again this consideration addresses your day to day. As we age these tasks can become much more of a burden if we do not have considerable help. Lastly, if you are not having family move in, how important is socializing and access to social activities and appointments. When we think about continuum living and downsizing, we might focus on the negatives without really appreciating the positives. Aging in place facilities can offer transportation, social calendars and programming, five star dining, and much more. With these considerations in mind, the size of your living room or entertaining space may shrink in favor of amenities and services. Whatever your plan entails, be sure to hire a realtor who specializes in local Main Line real estate. Both for getting the best value for your current home, and understanding the choices in the area for aging in place and retirement living communities. Usually the “right size’ is a home someplace in the middle of expectations and reality. The worst thing you can do is maintain a home that is too much work and not enough enjoyment. The Main Line has some of the best luxury style fifty five and up and aging in place communities and I have complete guides at the links below and answers to many commonly asked questions. If you are ready to take the next step towards a “right” size home, contact me today.
Did you find How to “Right” size your Home? useful? Read more here!
