Downsizing, Rightsizing, What’s the Difference?
Buzzwords abound these days. In the world of real estate and relocations, the terms downsizing and rightsizing are used a lot, sometimes interchangeably and sometimes to mean different things.
What is Downsizing?
Downsizing usually occurs later in life, when the kids are grown or the house is too big to maintain anymore.
People who downsize are looking for a smaller home, less or no yard work, being within walking distance to restaurants and other attractions (or conversely moving to a more remote location).
It can also happen when job and income circumstances change (as with a new job or job loss, divorce, health issues, or widowhood).
What is the Process to Downsize?
Downsizing consists of paring back, sometimes drastically, the amount of belongings you have, the size of the home/yard, and oftentimes the costs associated with the upkeep of the items and home.
The older the person is, the harder it is to downsize. This is because when we are older we have amassed a lifetime of collections, memorabilia, photos, gifts and inherited items.
It’s hard to decide what to keep and what to release. And as we age, we have less stamina, strength, and focus to be able to go through everything and make hard and fast decisions.
What is Rightsizing?
Rightsizing is building your life around things that are the right size for your stage of life.
That can mean getting a “first-floor master” house with fewer stairs and wider doorways, but it can also mean replacing oversized furniture that is hard to get in and out of with trimmer, firmer pieces and removing rugs that slip underfoot or trip you.
It also means keeping only the amount of something you will need and enjoy in your stage of life, such as dishes, clothes, tools, books, pictures, keepsakes, and side tables.
Do I Downsize or Rightsize?
For the empty-nester, downsizing and rightsizing go hand-in-hand.
Changes to living space and location, belongings, physical layout, and future needs need to be carefully planned and decided, so that the home is better suited for your new chapter of life.
Whether you make these decisions on your own or with the assistance of family members or a Professional Organizer or Senior Move Manager, the result is often an easier way of life with less overhead and more time to enjoy the people and moments in your life.
Downsizing Services Near Me
Working with us is easy and a complimentary phone consultation is the first step to using our home sale preparation service in Northern Virginia. During the call, we’ll schedule a time for you to meet with one of our professional organizers in the privacy of your own home or virtually.
We’ll talk with you about your plans, your timeline, and any special circumstances that you feel need to be addressed. We use a caring, hands-on approach to organizing or decluttering your environment, your relocation, your senior transition, your downsizing near me, and so much more. Call us at (703) 423-0383