topic Re: House Downsizing in Among Friends

House Downsizing

katie1859 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 17:56:35 GMT

I turn 64 in a month and my spirit continually tells me it's time to downsize. Too much house, I'm single, and a caregiver for a son. More and more I am wiped from upkeep inside and out.
Thought about peaking at a condo, and the market here in Illinois is negative. High in cost, low in inventory.
Has anyone gone through a transition or in the same place. I am?

Re: House Downsizing

sabatini — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:35:56 GMT

Hi, @katie1859. Yes, I did that.

I lived in a historic area in a big, old place w/ ornate moldings & fireplace, 2 staircases, etc. Even a few resident ghosts.

But almost 10 years ago, it became too much for me w/ all of the upkeep required, so w/ a heavy heart, I threw in the towel, sold it, & moved away.

I now live in a condo - more of a townhome, really. I'm happy here.

I would say 'Go for it! Now is the time! Don't overstay your welcome in your current home!'

It'll get harder & harder to deal with the exertion & stress of a move with each passing day.

One caution on purchasing a condo: HOA fees will rise. Make sure to allow for that, especially if you'll also be carrying a mortgage.

Re: House Downsizing

patbz — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:39:03 GMT

When I was 63 we relocated and downsized. We went from 2500sf to 1700sf and from the Mojave desert to the mountains and 4 seasons. At the time we moved our old home the r.e. market was depressed so we were landlords for 13 yrs ( wouldn't do that again ). We also moved too much stuff and paid to store it, rather than unloading it then and there

( big mistake). Otherwise everything went smoothly and we are very glad we made the move.

Re: House Downsizing

LavernLuvsShoes — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:50:52 GMT

I'm a huge proponent of decluttering and downsizing.

Can't wait until the economy gets better...

(Lower interest rates, housing prices, etc.) so that we (DH and me) can downsize and purchase a cute, little ranch in a safe, quiet neighborhood.

I'm 70 now, and life is too short to be bogged down with a lot of stuff and a lot of financial responsibility, IMHO.

Re: House Downsizing

AuntG — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:51:49 GMT

You are wise to start thinking of options. Sometimes I pull up floor plans of two bedroom homes that I think would be perfect. It's finding land to build on that's the problem. Most housing developments by me say you must put up a home with a minimum of 1800 square feet and a three car garage. We're at the stage where a 900 square foot cottage and a one car garage would suffice. Realistically, we'll probably stay where we are with 1700 square feet and a two car garage.

Re: House Downsizing

DSD2 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:53:50 GMT

It sounds as though you are physically exhausted. The truth is it is more difficult and tiresome to do heavy duty cleaning the older we get. Your son is your priority and finding the time and summoning up the effort to do everything else is undoubtedly rather challenging.

Deciding to move is always a difficult decision. I will say a prayer that you receive good counsel and make the decision that it right for you. Wishing you the best...

Re: House Downsizing

gidgetgh — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:54:15 GMT

I don't have any children, but I downsized after my husband passed away. Best. Decision. Ever.

We had a two story, 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with a full unfinished basement. 3,300 square feet, not including the basement.

I downsized to a 1 story. 2 bedroom, 2 baths and an office. No basement (yeah!!!!!!!!). Yard maintenance is included in my monthly HOA dues.

I am so thrilled that I made the decision.

Re: House Downsizing

katie1859 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:08:57 GMT

Thank you ALL for these responses.
I feel better knowing it's an occurring theme for many.
I have started selling things. I'm operating in hope and that slowly this desire will indeed manifest.
Yes, there's so much to think about. I hear in my thoughts, slow and steady

Re: House Downsizing

D Kay — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:17:23 GMT

I am on a waiting list for an apartment in a comunity of seniors. Everything is included in monthly fee. I currently live in a 3 bedroom home with a huge yard and massive trees.

It will be an exhaustive undertaking to downsize, but I am looking forward to not having to deal with it all. I do not want to own a home anymore.

Re: House Downsizing

LindaSal — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:47:50 GMT

@katie1859 I hear you. I'm only 62 but DH is now 70. 5 years ago we decided (more me) to downsize from a 3000 sq foot home with 10 acres of land to a 2000 sq foot townhouse. All the outside care is done by a landscaper including snow shoveling and plowing. We are in the northeast. I have ZERO regrets. It was so liberating to donate all the unused "stuff" we had accumulated over the years. My adult kids took what they wanted and the rest went! My hubby did not want to accept the fact that he was already slowing down at the time but honestly I have seen a huge change in him over just a few years and in myself. We are fortunate to be in fairly good health and even though we keep marching along we are certainly not able to care for such a large home and property at this stage of the game. I'm so thankful we did it when we did. Good luck!

Re: House Downsizing

geezerette — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:04:26 GMT

I am looking forward to the day I can downsize. I don't look forward to the process of doing so, but the end result.

In the meantime I try to rid myself of excess and remember not to bring in more than what I need to live.

You're wise to begin the planning process if you're in an area of high demand.

Re: House Downsizing

geezerette — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:10:01 GMT

@LindaSal

You were very wise to be insistent and make the change when you did and before it was necessary. My mother did the same thing years ago and my dad was not happy for years. But in the end, he admitted he wouldn't have lived as long as he did had they not downsized.

I wish I could have done the same. Unfortunately my husband wasn't as compliant and now I am alone with the house and acreage waiting to be in a position to move by myself.

Re: House Downsizing

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:25:38 GMT

@katie1859 You are not old (I am 68, good health) but I do understand the need to downsize. My husband is still alive and I know that we will live in this house until one of us passes...he is older than me and so most likely, I will be the one that will do the moving to a smaller location. Right now interest rates are just to high for us to even consider buying, plus there is nothing of interest in our small area.

I keep my house cleaned out, I am a huge declutter person...I really enjoy the task.

My only suggestion would be to start the clean out now, if you have kids, and want to get rid of something ask if they want it, if not you need to make the mind committment to let it go...sometimes not that easy, but will take time if you have an entire home to go thru and you have never really decluttered.

Recently we sold several things on Facebook marketplace, we were thrilled to get rid of a few things and the money was nice as well!

If I was close by, I would help you...I find it kind of fun!

Re: House Downsizing

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:30:01 GMT

@gidgetgh It does sound like you made a good choice in moving. I wish we had options in our area....the only thing here is an small area of condos and townhomes with HOA's...and the square footage is small. We would like at least 1600 sq ft.

Re: House Downsizing

ninjawife — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:31:05 GMT

I moved 10 years ago when both my children were living at home into a much larger house so that my father could move in with us. We created an apartment with kitchenette, full bath, laundry area, bedroom area and two sitting areas. I did not want to move but I wanted my father to have space and we could not give that to him in our former house. Even though I knew I was doing the right thing, I had a really hard time adjusting. Our current house is huge. When we moved here DH and I decided we could not handle all the upkept on our own so we hired landscapers to do the yard work and a cleaning service to do regular cleanings. My father passed two years after we moved and oldest DD no longer lives at home. I know in the next few years youngest DD will also move out and the house will be more than DH and I need but I have no interest in moving. As long as we can maintain our current house and manage the stairs I hope to stay where I am. Of course I am only in my mid 50s and I may change my mind as I get older.

Re: House Downsizing

Jo1313 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:46:30 GMT

This is our 3rd house..We upsized!..Always wanted a house with lots of closets and a big kitchen I loved to cook..DH wanted to live in the country..

So I got my big kitchen and he got his country acres..in the middle of no where.We were much younger and I was plain stupid.

I was tired of being here after a yr...18 yrs. ago...Country people hate city people! After they ask a million questions they ignore you!..Not seeing me outside for a long time a couple had the nerve to "stop by" to ask my kid if I died.!

Needless to say my kid cursed them out..rightly so.

10 yrs. ago he developed heart issues.After he was feeling better..I got sick and spent months in the hospital and many surgeries.They told my kids to make funeral arrangements a few times..over a few years.I fooled them..I'm still here but broken down.

Now this place is my nightmare..As I've said before..when my kids have to empty this place there will be dumpsters lining the 400 ft. driveway.

Re: House Downsizing

wagirl — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:57:11 GMT

I just downsized in 2021, due to a divorce, was married for 47 years---lived in a 2000 sq ft house for 35 years and moved to a 930 sq ft apartment. I HAD to get rid of so much that I was not ready to let go and what I refused to get rid of, I stored in a storage unit until a few weeks ago when I got a garage at the apartments I live in now. The upkeep is alot easier but I need more room. Housing is stupid where I live too--near Seattle. Have no answers but understand.

Re: House Downsizing

cotton4me — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 21:14:08 GMT

It’s good that you’re thinking ahead. Many people wait too long and then don’t have the health or wherewithal to move. My friend is in that situation. I downsized to a small senior living apartment. I absolutely love it. No regrets. Everything I need is nearby. I do not have to worry about repairs or maintenance, which gives me the time and freedom to do whatever I want.

Re: House Downsizing

Snowpuppy — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 21:17:32 GMT

While they paused interest rate hikes today, they will likely resume in Nov. The 10 yr, which most mortgages are based on hit a 17 yr high yesterday. That was 2007. Then came 2008.

If rates drop by 1-1 1/2/%, homes will spike by 20 -40k easily.

I'd like to take an early out retirement offer if I can find housing more suitable for retirement. I also have a vacant parcel but finding a builder who wants to build anything other than a McMansion is daunting.

Re: House Downsizing

simplyfriends — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 21:47:43 GMT

@katie1859 Yes I also downsized about 6 years ago to a 2 bedroom 2 bath townhouse/condo. It's about 1000 sq feet and has all my favorite things in it. I have room for an office/guest room. It's just me here at almost 70 and I love it! HOA takes care of everything outside and some utilities. I hope you you can downsize some where you are now in the meantime and kind of clear the clutter so there's less to clean. Good luck!