Downsizing is a word that we are hearing more and more frequently from those searching for new homes. So, what exactly is downsizing? A quick look in the dictionary and you’ll see something like this:
This blog post is part of “The Ultimate Guide to Downsizing Your Home With Style” blog series.
down·size /ˈdounˌsīz/
verb
gerund or present participle: downsizing
"I downsized the rear wheel to 26 inches"
Is that all there is to successful downsizing, then? Making something smaller? For most people, it’s a bit more than just moving into a smaller home. When nearing retirement, there are usually several major factors involved in planning how you want to spend your new found free time. It should come as no surprise that for most people these are most likely to include spending time with grandchildren, traveling to places on their “bucket list”, taking up new hobbies and just relaxing.
So how does the big home you are currently living in impact your ability to enjoy the things that are most important to you? Probably quite a bit if you are spending your precious leisure time and hard-earned retirement fund on maintenance, upkeep, and monthly expenses associated with that home. Let’s consider a few things:
How many times have you thought, “Why do we need this big house? We spend all of our time in three rooms.” The extra bedrooms in your home that have gone unoccupied since your children moved out and the formal Living Room that hasn’t been used in years can go unnoticed…until the monthly utility bills arrive. Then you probably ask yourself why you continue to heat and cool unused space. Maybe the staircase to your bedroom is getting too much to manage and that big yard that your kids used to love to run around in now seems like just a big yard; a really, really, big yard that constantly needs mowing, fertilizing, watering, and the dreaded raking of leaves. And cleaning that big house? Don’t even get us started on that one. In addition, no matter how well you have cared for your home over the years there is always going to something that needs to be fixed or replaced. Lightbulb moment—It’s time to downsize your home to upsize your life!
Like most important things in life, it’s best to plan ahead. Your retirement is no exception. Your home is one of your biggest investments, so you might want to start thinking about downsizing before you actually retire. In fact, downsizing should be a part of your overall retirement plan. The folks at HGTV offer some great advice. What are some other key factors to consider?
Most likely it has been years since you bought a new home. Things have changed a lot since then, even in the last few years. The population has aged and the Baby Boomers are driving the real estate market. This is great news for those looking to downsize since builders have come to realization that one-story ranch style plans and first floor Master Suites are in short supply and have adjusted their offerings to meet the growing demand. No longer encumbered by the structural demands of a second floor, builders are now able to take advantage of the freedom to offer taller ceilings, vaulted ceilings, and larger windows which add to a feeling of spaciousness and grandeur. Everything on one level also means a much larger basement area which allows for a greater amount of storage space when downsizing from a larger home and the possibility of spectacular basement retreats and play rooms for grandchildren. Look for plans that offer unique organizational items like a section of hooks for coats and other belongings in the mudroom; and built-in desk areas in the kitchen. These items not only help to get your life organized but are clever additions in spots where furniture would usually be required.
Homes by Malta Development appeal to those looking for highly functional and dramatic space and recognize that it is more about “right sizing” than “downsizing.” These artfully crafted homes make excellent use of every bit of space without sacrificing architectural style; a fine example of less is more. A full array of modern design elements combine to elevate these homes from practical to dream home. Today’s 50+ is active and highly social. These floor plans are designed with that in mind. Guests wings with private baths are placed on the opposite end of the house from the Master bedroom to allow privacy for all.
All newly built Malta Development homes are National Green Building Standard certified, and insulated with super-efficient spray foam insulation resulting in substantially lower utility bills. The standard features package is full of items that you would normally expect to pay extra for.
Homes by Malta Development fills a huge need in the Upstate NY area for one-story, ranch style homes and homes with first floor Master Suites, those that allow one to “age in place.” They are designed to be highly functional for years to come, enabling people to stay in their homes longer. Check out our one-story homes HERE and our one-story and first floor master suite townhomes HERE.
Explore Homes by Malta Development and see which community is right for you.