Ultimate Downsizing Checklist

The best Downsizing your home Checklist along with our real estate insights for Calgary to make your journey a success. Whether for Retirement of simplicity.

Ultimate Downsizing Checklist and 7 things you need to know

Picture of Erick Dillmann
Erick Dillmann

Realtor® with 2% Realty

Table of Contents

Thinking about downsizing your home? Whether it's for simplicity or retirement, our downsizing checklist and insights have got you covered.

We’ve put together the ultimate downsizing checklist to help you prepare for the journey. Whether it’s for simplicity, retirement, or a lifestyle change, downsizing doesn’t have to be depressing, it can be a liberating decision. 

Our downsizing checklist includes 33 helpful tasks, aiming to extend beyond merely moving to a smaller space. It’s about making smart decisions and strategic planning. Covering everything from decluttering to mental preparedness and understanding financial implications, this guide is comprehensive.

We also go beyond our downsizing checklist to offer you 7 additional tips, courtesy of our clients who have completed the real estate journey. Their insights are here to make the process even more efficient and stress-free.

The Ultimate Downsizing Checklist

Empower Yourself with these 7 Downsizing Real Estate Insights

Our clients share their tips on making the real estate journey a success

Become Informed: Knowledge is Power

A huge part of ensuring you are motivated is to educate yourself about your options or seek help from someone experienced in the process. The internet tends to focus on assisting seniors who might not be at the same stage in life or retirement as you. Your destination doesn’t have to be a 500 sq ft condo, Calgary offers many diverse options if you know where to look.

Focus on the Positives

When embarking on the journey of downsizing, maintaining a positive outlook is crucial. This perspective shift isn’t just about moving to a smaller space; it’s a pathway to a new lifestyle, offering many advantages. By seeking the help of an experienced professional, you can avoid focusing on homes that cater to the wrong demographic or style, which in turn will help prevent feelings of discouragement.

Embrace Simplicity & Experiences

When we’re young, there’s a pull to upsize and add more material elements to our lives. Downsizing is your chance to simplify life and focus your energy on what makes you happy. The ability to participate in a new experience or trip without the pressure of looking after a larger home is very liberating. Plus doing so early can help secure your retirement. 

Understand Market Trends

Understanding the Calgary real estate market is crucial, especially if you’re selling your current home. The market exhibits very distinct seasonal trends that can influence the entire process, for better or for worse. Selling high often means buying high, and periods of low inventory can lead to feelings of discouragement. The ability to time the market as best as you can is especially important if your retirement goals depend on a fixed amount of equity out of your current home. 

Control your Time Horizon

By educating yourself and understanding the real estate market, you position yourself to have control over your time horizon. Downsizing should not be done in a rush, unless it is for immediate health reasons. Give yourself ample time to look at and weigh all your options. It should be something you incorporate into your retirement plans.

Think Big Picture

Often its easy to get drawn into thoughts like; will my furniture fit? or will I like the type of flooring or appliances. These thoughts will serve as stumbling blocks on your journey. Think big picture and focus on the things that are truly important that will help you get from point A to B. 

Think Outside the Box

Often, it’s easy to get drawn into thoughts like, ‘Will my furniture fit?’ or ‘Will I like the type of flooring or appliances?’ These thoughts can serve as stumbling blocks on your journey. Think about the big picture and focus on the things that are truly important, which will help you move from point A to B.

Can Downsizing be a Terrible Idea?

While it's often a wise decision, in unique circumstances it can have drawbacks

  • Downsizing too soon: Making the move too early can lead to a bad experience and regret.
  • Downsizing too late: Waiting too long to downsize can make the move too taxing, and not properly account for future health needs.
  • Loss of Space: Downsizing usually means less space, which can be difficult for those who require a larger living area for vital activities. 
  • Limited Accessibility to Family: If moving outside of Calgary, it might impeded the frequency of visits from family and friends.
  • Impact on Health: The stress and physical demands of moving can be significant, and this can lead to a bad experience. 
  • Space for Caregivers or Medical Equipment: A smaller home may not have adequate space for live-in caregivers or future medical equipment

Lower Fees Plus Exceptional Service

Book Your FREE Calgary Downsizing Consultation

Erick Dillmann Real Estate Agent and Realtor with 2% (Percent) Realty Calgary

Erick Dillmann

2% Realty Associate | Realtor® | BA Economics

With more than 17 years in the Calgary real estate sector, Erick offers an extensive knowledge base and expertise to each client he assists. Serving as a committed associate of 2% Realty for over ten years, he blends his marketing expertise with a sincere passion for exceeding client expectations. Erick’s remarkable success is demonstrated by his achievement of the Top Platinum Producer award for eight consecutive years.

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