Downsizing – what should you be looking for?

Are you thinking of downsizing after your children have flown the nest?  Or perhaps you’re looking to save money to put into a fund for a once in a lifetime holiday!  There are various factors that cause people to consider downsizing and it’s a lot more common than you’d think, it’s not always just retirees or parents with adult children.  In this blog, we’ll offer you some food for thought when it comes to downsizing and what you should be looking for.

Making room for your belongings

When downsizing it’s important to be aware that you may not be able to take all your current belongings with you.  It’s definitely worth having a methodical clear out of items you know for a fact won’t be coming with you and either donate to charity – or if you’re looking to get rid of some furniture, you could always sell to a neighbour or friend.  If you feel this may prove difficult then perhaps it would be worth looking into some external storage.  Alternatively, storage space can be one of your sticking points when house hunting for your new home.  No one should have to part with an important personal item because they’re downsizing.  When looking for your next home, it might be worth enquiring about attic space as this could potentially be a deal breaker.   With apartment buildings, some may have allocated storage for residents or a basement area, but this might not always be the case, so we’d recommend looking into this and having a think about how many of your belongings you’d be willing to part with before house hunting.

Releasing equity

If you currently live in a larger family home that’s increased in value, then releasing its equity to swap for something smaller is certainly a tempting option.  If you’re a pensioner, it’s certainly worth taking local amenities into account as you won’t want to be too far away from shops, cafés and local meeting points.  Transport links will also be ideal if you no longer drive or want to sell your car.

 Room for one more

Another factor to take into account when hunting for your new home is whether you want an extra bedroom to use as a guest room for visiting children or grandchildren.  For example, if your child is at university and still comes home during the holidays then you’ll definitely be wanting an extra bedroom for them.  This could then be turned into a guest bedroom once they have officially flown the nest!

What we have to offer

In terms of homes to move to, a bungalow is one idea – a house type can sometimes be misunderstood as being too small.  However, here at Wright Marshall we have an array of wonderful bungalows including this property located in Kelsall with a modern interior and a principle bedroom with en-suite and three further bedrooms, along with a family bathroom.   This type of bungalow is ideal for families where the children haven’t left home yet.  It’s the best of both worlds with the convenience of a smaller property with enough room for the whole family.

If you’re looking for a retirement apartment, we offer a selection to choose from across Cheshire and Derbyshire.  We currently have a delightful two bedroom ground floor apartment in Knutsford, a beautiful market town in a semi-rural location with fantastic open views.  Knutsford is a fantastic location for retirees with the Makers Market taking place on the first Sunday of every month, offering a range of stalls and products from local businesses.  Knutsford is also home to the wonderful Tatton Park, a historic estate with a Tudor hall, lavish gardens and a deer park.

If you would like to get in touch with any of our North West offices about downsizing, you can contact them here.  We offer a range of properties that can be the solution to your downsizing vision.

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