Master Minimalist Living Through Smart Downsizing

Embarking on the journey of downsizing your home can open doors to a more streamlined and fulfilling lifestyle. This significant step not only lightens your financial burden but also lessens the time and energy spent on home maintenance. In this comprehensive guide, courtesy of Let Your Space BLOOM, we'll delve into the myriad benefits of downsizing and offer practical advice to ease your transition to a simpler, more efficient living space.

Financial Freedom through Smaller Living

Imagine the relief of smaller mortgage payments, the joy of lower property taxes, and the satisfaction of reduced utility bills. Downsizing your home translates directly into financial savings, which can be extremely beneficial for older adults who need to be careful about their finances. This newfound financial freedom allows you to reallocate funds to more fulfilling pursuits or save for the future, making every dollar count in a smaller, more manageable space.

Streamline with Digital Document Organization

Organizing effectively is a critical aspect of the downsizing process. By converting crucial documents to PDFs, you streamline and declutter your life in a significant way. This method not only retains the original formatting of your documents but also ensures compatibility across diverse devices, making sharing and storing effortless. Furthermore, if you ever need to adjust the orientation of your documents for easier viewing or printing, you can easily rotate a PDF file using a free online tool. Embrace these digital solutions to make managing your documents efficient and hassle-free in your new, simplified living space.

The Joy of Low Maintenance

Embrace the ease that comes with a smaller living space. Less square footage means fewer chores and maintenance tasks, liberating your weekends and evenings. This shift in lifestyle gives you more time to indulge in hobbies, relax, or spend quality time with loved ones. The reduced workload is not just a convenience; it's a pathway to a more leisurely and enjoyable life.

Declutter and Redefine Your Life

Downsizing is an ideal opportunity to declutter and redefine your lifestyle. It prompts a critical evaluation of your possessions, encouraging a minimalist approach. This process not only simplifies your surroundings but also fosters a sense of peace and order in your living space. Embrace this chance to create a more organized and serene environment.

Protect Your Investment with a Home Warranty

When you choose to downsize, it's vital to also protect your investment. A home warranty acts as a crucial safety net, filling in the gaps that homeowners insurance might overlook. This annual contract is a commitment to the security of your essential home systems and appliances, providing both peace of mind and a shield against unexpected repair costs in your more intimate living space. By ensuring that these key elements of your home are covered, a home warranty can save you from financial strain and stress.

Senior-Friendly Apartment Living

For seniors considering an apartment instead, prioritizing accessibility and comfort is key. Researching apartments with senior-friendly features, such as elevators and convenient layouts, ensures a comfortable and accessible living experience. This careful consideration guarantees a living space that accommodates your needs and enhances your quality of life.

Furniture Fit for Your New Space

Before moving, measure your furniture to ensure it fits seamlessly into your new, smaller space. You can also use an app to build a plan for where everything will go. This proactive step avoids the hassle of moving bulky items that don't fit, enabling you to plan the layout of your new home effectively and efficiently. It's a practical move that sets the stage for a well-organized and harmonious living environment.

Downsizing is more than just moving to a smaller home; it's a transformative decision that leads to a simpler, more focused way of life. This change can bring financial savings, reduce maintenance stress, and offer a fresh start in an uncluttered environment. Keep these tips in mind to ensure a smooth transition and fully embrace the simplicity and freedom that comes with downsizing.

Let Your Space BLOOM is here to help you organize your surroundings – and your life! Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out. A special thanks to Mr. Bret Engle for this enlightening blog post. You may contact Bret at: bret.engle@diyguys.net

How to Find an Accessible Home When Looking for a New House

For most Americans, finding the ideal home is a very long and grueling process. There are numerous things to consider, from the location to the price to the amenities to the school district. And when you have an impairment, ensuring that the home is accessible is one of the imperative factors to account for when house hunting. So here are some tips from Let Your Space BLOOM to guide you on your way to the perfect home.

Finding an Accessible Home

If you've decided to relocate but you have no idea where to start to find an accessible home, you may feel a bit confused and lost. In case you're about to start house hunting, following these strategies will help you find, buy and modify — if needed — the right place for you.

List All Your Needs

When house hunting, you need to make a list of all your needs and wants so you know what to look for in a property and what might break the deal. People with mobility disabilities should look for a home with no steps and an open floor plan, as well as outside ramps if available. If you've found a place that might be ideal for you and you like it a lot, but something doesn't work in it, you can buy it and make a few modifications after completing the paperwork. Some remodeling options include accessible landscapes, ramps or lifts, durable flooring, and perhaps smart home technology to ease your days.

Again, it's not unusual for homes to require some modification, even with a thorough hunt. Bathrooms, for instance, often need to be upgraded. So if that’s the case, your best bet is to search Angi for “plumber near me” and browse their handy ratings and reviews to find a local professional to get the job done.

Set a Budget

Setting up a budget is a fantastic way to pin down the scope of choices. A budget will help you figure out the limit of how much you can afford and will also help you consider what you might need to spend for modification costs. You also have a number of different ways to fund your purchase, such as loans and grants. For example, you may wish to apply for FHA if you plan to make a down payment of less than 20%. An FHA loan is also ideal for buyers who don't meet the credit history requirements that come with a conventional loan.

Do the Necessary Research in Your Area

House hunting will require a lot of research on your part. Start by checking accessible homes in your area with the neighborhood that is most appealing to you first. If you have kids, consider the school districts as well and the proximity to hospitals and stores. 

By working with a realtor who has experience in helping other clients find accessible places, you can visit various properties to find the one that attracts you the most and fits your needs best. Don't forget to have your credit reports in a good state and apply for a mortgage or a special loan in time to ensure you get pre-approved by the time you want to buy.

Don't Forget the Value of the Location

As mentioned above, location is imperative because it helps decide your home's appreciation, value, and resale potential. Still, it's not just that — an accessible home is not just one that is accessible on the inside, but it also makes a variety of other things more available. The location can make or break the deal — it can make you comfortable or uneasy. You need to think about what you need to be close to, how your transportation method matches that, and then take all this into account when house hunting.

Knowing What to Do Eases the House Hunt

Finding a home to fit your needs will allow you to stay and feel safe and comfortable for many years, so you'll want to ensure that the house you'd like to buy has everything you need before purchasing it. If you need to modify it, look into local contractors and other help you need, including an architect or an interior designer. Having a good plan in place will help you find the right home for you and your needs.

Let Your Space BLOOM offers hands-on organizing, move preparation, unpacking, downsizing, rightsizing and everything in between. Call (443) 595-6704. A special thank you to Bret Engel for this amazing guest blog post.