Real Living Real Answers Real Living Lifestyle Planning Guide | Page 20

DOWNSIZING BY DESIGN * (CONTINUED) BENEFITS As you know, there are many factors to consider when downsizing and the rankings of each may differ from each person or party. Throughout the Real Living network, many individuals, couples *As taken from the Real Living. Real Answers. SM and even some families feel a sense of lifestyle emancipation after downsizing or rightsizing. For the first time in years, they are free from long commutes, burdensome levels of maintenance, high taxes guide, A Customized and excessive dependence on their automobiles. Moreover, many Approach to Downsizing. who downsize also find that their lifestyle actually grows substantially as they become more involved in the community due to convenience and their aforementioned freedom from housing maintenance. LIFESTYLE ADVICE WHEN CONTEMPLATING DOWNSIZING Do not rent or buy your next Consider reducing the space home until your present home you currently live in as a way of is under contract. preparing for a smaller home. Downsizing by design should If you’re thinking about provide you with more time to moving to a condo with a prepare your home through homeowners association, staging for sale compared to be sure to carefully read when you feel pressure to sell. the association documents If there are possessions in your home that are important regarding fees and potential increases. to grown children, consider asking them to remove and store elsewhere. Step 2 / Review Your Lifestyle Options 20