Downsizing is a chance to refocus on what truly matters to us, both in terms of people and possessions. But what does downsizing actually entail? Simply put, it means reducing the size of your living space and the items within it.
Over the years, we accumulate many cherished belongings, but life can lead us to different places, making downsizing home a necessary step.
I’ve helped many clients transition to beautiful, compact homes, and now I’m here to help you. Below is an essential downsizing home checklist assured to make your transition smooth and effortless.
7 Downsizing Home Checklist You Should Consider
Downsizing is a common activity for people aged between 59-68 and 19% of the purchase is made by them. Creating a home checklist before downing has its benefits. In case you’re prepared to downsize your living space, these seven essential procedures will need to be completed:
- Paperwork checklist:
First, original documents should be kept safe. Second, to scan and upload the mentioned papers to drive to make them digital. Third, ensure that you explain to your loved ones, where and how they can obtain all these crucial papers.
Here is a list of paperwork that you need to ensure you have during downsizing:
- Prepare personal paperwork to notify banks, insurance firms, attorneys, accountants, licence authorities, and other businesses of the address change.
- Income tax returns for the last seven years, photocopies of filed forms, and a list containing checking, savings, and credit card account numbers.
- Trusts, wills, home documents, or amendments.
- Any messages that may incorporate personal matters and information.
- Change of address checklist:
With the change of home, a shift in the address is also one of the most obvious events that people experience. Forward a change of address card to everyone you deal with, the services you take or associate with so that they realize how to reach you at the new address.
The following is a list of organizations you should notify when you move:
- Financial Institutions
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Professional associations
- Publications
- Gas & Electricity
- Packing checklist:
Moving is never fun. Ask other people, relatives, friends, a specialist in packing, or moving companies to help with the packing task. The items must be well labeled, thus making your task of moving simple and easy. Make an Inventory list.
Now, is there enough space in your new house to store all that wishes to be stored? If not, try looking for a storage company within your proximity that you can rent, especially for large items or some of your possessions that may not be accommodated in the new house.
- Pre-moving day checklist:
What should have been a gradual process of preparing for the transition has now turned into a race against the clock to make your move on time.
Of course, it is always much better to have one or two relatives participating and doing the last inspections. Create a moving binder containing phone numbers, addresses, and emails of important people, estimates, receipts, and a list of what you will be taking with you. Recheck your final downsizing home checklist with your moving company – or moving coordinator.
- Moving day checklist:
Prepare a detailed schedule of how the move is going to take place. Minimise risks involved in moving, targeting your safety by learning how to lift items properly. Ensure that there is a clear entry and exit to your house while moving, and do not move bulky items in boxes.
Ensure there is a person who will be waiting to receive the movers at your new home. Make sure they have a key and that the community manager knows you are coming. Examine inventory lists. When packing ensure that all the boxes have been labelled correctly. Ask a neighbor if they would help you by receiving any mail that may arrive sometime after you leave.
Make an emergency kit. Some items should remain easily accessible during the process of moving.
- Donation and Disposal Checklist:
Downsizing involves disowning material things that you no longer need. Instead of throwing away clothes and other possessions, they should be donated to shelters or community centres.
This not only saves the cost, but also other people are benefited from it. Write down items that you do not require or use again and search for charitable bodies that collect such items.
- Donation: Empower citizens about organisations which collect items like furniture, clothing, books, household items, etc.
- Disposal: Throw away those items that have become dysfunctional, are no longer relevant, or are hazardous.
- Recycling: Look out for safe ways of disposing of some customer electronic equipment, batteries and other materials that are recyclable.
- Utilities and Services Transfer Checklist:
To avoid any interruption, move or cancel utilities and services at the previous residence, and activate those at the new residence. These utilities may include:
- Electric power
- Water supply
- Sewerage and garbage disposal
- Telephone and telegraph
- Internet service
- Cable television
Final Words
By adhering to a downsizing strategy presented in the list, you are guided through more and less important items to sort out. It is important and helps in identifying all essential items that should not be left behind during downsizing. Lastly, the provided checklist helps to design and develop an ideal living ambiance that is serene and free from clutter, thus helping to achieve the best of retirement.
Contact us to get help with downsizing checklists. We are the perfect downsizing home services and we will guide you to deal with the process of downsizing home and be prepared for the new adventures in life.
