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Reasons To Downsize Your Home

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Many people assume that living in a big home is better than living in a small home. This is sometimes true but not all the time. In fact, even if you are living in a big house, there may come a time when it's best to downsize. Below are some of the circumstances that may call for downsizing.

Empty nest

Many people buy big homes to raise families. If you were once in such a situation, you might have no need for the big house once the kids grow up and move. Maybe you had four kids but the youngest one is in college and the others have all moved out of the house. In such a case, it makes sense to sell the house and move to a smaller house.

High ownership costs

Big homes cost more to own than small homes. Maintenance costs, repair costs, energy bills, and property taxes, among other ownership costs, all go up with the increase in square footage. Maybe you once had justification for the high ownership costs or you had the money to pay the expenses. However, downsizing makes sense if you are beginning to worry about the high ownership costs.

Necessary funding

Selling your home and moving to a smaller place can also free up some of the equity in your house. You can use the money to finance some necessary expenses in your life. Maybe you need money to pay for your child's college, you want to travel, or you want to fund your retirement goals. For example, if you sell your home for $650,000 and buy a smaller one for $450,000, you can use the remaining $200,000 for other expenses.

Unused space

You may find it unnecessary to continue spending money on areas of your house you don't use. Maybe you have a four-bedroomed house but you only use two bedrooms. Or maybe you have a big yard where you used to grow vegetables, but you no longer have use for the yard. In such a case, you can sell the home and buy a smaller place.

Lifestyle changes

Lastly, you may also downgrade your home and buy a smaller one if your lifestyle has significantly changed. This makes sense since some lifestyles are more suitable for big houses while others are more suitable for small houses. For example, entertaining guests is easier in big houses than in small houses. Working at home is easier in a big house than a small house. However, a small house is better than a big house if you travel all the time. To learn more about the home buying process, look for the best realtor in your area. 


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