A lot of people think that in moving to a new house, the new residence would be bigger than the old one. But this is not always the case. Way before calling in the international removals company and arranging a move, you need to decide if you must downsize to a smaller, more manageable home. If you have decided to do so, then welcome to a growing community of practical, no-nonsense homeowners.
Years before, homeowners used to buy bigger homes to accommodate a larger family or to show off the improvement in their financial status and lifestyle. However, as of late, the economy is going on a downturn. With the economy offering marginal confidence and with many people unemployed or underemployed, moving to a downsized home is now a more attractive option.
Bigger Benefits for a Smaller Residence
1. You can save money. Obviously, this is the main factor and the first thing that homeowners think of first when they consider moving to a new and smaller home. With the downsizing, you may be able to enjoy a smaller mortgage payment. If you take equity that you may have in your previous home, you can use it to pay a bigger downpayment for the smaller house. Indeed, depending on your position on equity, you may even have the opportunity to buy a new home in cash.
But paying a lesser mortgage isn’t the only advantage that you can get. When you get a smaller home, you can also save money on many other things such as utility bills, insurance, property taxes, and maintenance and repairs. Since you can save money, you can allot a large portion of your income to other things such as vacations, hobbies, business ventures, children’s education, and others.
2. Stress is significantly lessened. By getting a smaller home, you put yourself in a better financial position. And in such position, you can have peace of mind. You will no longer be a slave to debt and mortgage payments.
Furthermore, the house will be easier to manage. You have fewer rooms to clean, fewer spaces to fill up, and fewer areas to look after. The limited space also prevents you from spending too much on big but unnecessary furniture or appliances. All these help reduce stress and allows you more time to relax and have fun.
3. You help the environment. Smaller homes utilize less electricity, gas, energy, and water than bigger ones. It also uses less construction materials such as lumber and concrete. That means, your home is eco-friendly and only has a minimal carbon footprint. Furthermore, you can make your home more energy-efficient by installing double-panel windows, insulation, solar panels, and other measures at a cheaper price.
4. With less stuff, you’ll be happier. Recent studies show that having an uncluttered home makes you feel happier and more relaxed. A small home forces you not to invest too much on stuff so you can save space. That means less clutter and mess.
5. You can finally get rid of stuff. Psychologically, you don’t want to dispose of unnecessary things because you have space for them. When you move to a smaller home, however, you will finally get the chance to dispose of these burdens. You will have a clear understanding and insight as to what you really need.
Find out more about the advantages of moving.
