Upsizing, Downsizing, Right-Sizing, You-Sizing
Summer is over, and the next great moving season is right around the corner! How much room and space do you need!?
Many people have added to their household in 2021, whether it be a pet, a child, or other family members. More bodies in the house means less space for each person, so, you may be looking to grow house sizes. If you’ve been feeling the pinch of not-enough-room, too-little-space, and too-much-crowding, “Upsizing” could be exactly what you need to feel more comfortable again.
There are a ton of benefits to upsizing your house, many of which are obvious…
- More living space
- More storage space
- More yard/garden space
- More room for entertaining/hosting or housing friends & loved ones
Some of the benefits of upsizing, though, are less obvious…
- You may find higher-end finishing touches in a bigger house
- More rooms means you might get a dedicated home theater, game room, luxury closet, etc…
- And, of course, sale price in the future! It’s NOT guaranteed, but you might be able to sell a bigger property for bigger profits later on.
You might know some of the “negative” effects of upsizing…
- More maintenance, around-the-house cleaning, and yard care or exterior aesthetics work will be required to keep a bigger property looking fresh.
- Your costs of living, including mortgage, electric, and utilities, will probably be slightly higher. With that in mind though, you can account and budget for your other expenses accordingly.
A hidden negative upsizing that you might be able to convert to a positive is…
- Farther-away rooms means that you may have to walk around the house more.
This could be an annoyance: forgetting a tool in one room, walking “all the way” to the other end of your home, and then having to walk back to retrieve it.
However, you can benefit from it, too… Just think of how many extra steps you’ll earn on your Fitbit or other smartwatch device! Who knew, a bigger house can help with fitness goals.
What about downsizing, though? You don’t always have to go big, to go home.
There are a bunch of benefits to downsizing your house, and you probably have a good idea of some of them already…
- Possibly a lower mortgage or monthly payment
- Less maintenance, yardwork, and cleaning hassle(s)
- Lower taxes, sometimes
- More money for socializing, travel, and investing
Some of the benefits of downsizing, though, are a little more subtle…
- You may be less likely fall into debt! Less total house, less “stuff,” and easier maintenance means that you keep more of your hard-earned money
- “Mental ease” as you have a simpler day-to-day with more free time in your cute, quiet home.
- You get to de-clutter! All those things you’ve been “lugging around,” can be donated, sold, or tossed as you lighten your load for a smaller space.
You probably know some of the “negative” effects of downsizing…
- Of course, you won’t have as much room for “junk,” “stuff,” and “doo-dads.” A smaller house can’t accommodate as many things, but it will certainly still hold important ones.
- Some of the pantries, storage rooms, closets and such will probably be configured in a more space-efficient way than at bigger properties. This can make it tricky to re-organize and arrange your goods. With the right systems in place though, you will find a way to keep stocked up on the items you use regularly.
A negative of downsizing that many new buyers fail to consider is…
- CLEANING! Alright, yeah yeah, I hear you: “But, there’s less space to clean… So, it should be better, right!?”
It is true that you will have less to clean. And, yes, it will be easier. However, you will also notice it more. Dust, dirt, and grime still find their way inside. Water spots will still happen. The dog (or the kids) will still track mud through the house.
Luckily, it will take much less time to clean! Just, don’t go tossing out all those bar rags and cleaning supplies.
So, what are you considering for your family home size requirements in 2021-2022? Do you need more space? Less space? A different space, or special room, but basically the same size?
Knowing your needs puts you in the driver seat. You know what you need. You know what you want. You want that right size. Now, it’s just a matter of considering your needs, making your choice, and Calling an Agent. Here at WK Real Estate, we know sizes.
