3. Put you in touch with the right people.

Prior to going on the market, there are legal requirements your home needs to meet. These may include:

• Smoke alarm compliance
• Pool safety certificate
• Electrical compliance

Many downsizers find this aspect of the sale overwhelming. But a real estate agent who has expertise and experience in moving downsizers will be able to help you. They can create a timeline and book appointments on your behalf to help reduce the stress.

If your home needs repairs and maintenance, your real estate agent will also have a list of reliable contacts. If you need the gardens mulched or an electrician to fix the lights, they will be able to connect you with the right people saving you time and money.

4. Help you buy your next house.

Although a real estate agent is primarily hired to sell your house, they can also assist downsizers in purchasing their next home. Have a chat with your local agent and let them know what your specifications are. They can let you know about suitable properties that may be coming to the market.

5. Selling your home.

Once all the planning and preparation is complete, it’s time to hit the market. Appointing a real estate agent to manage the sale on your behalf will significantly reduce the stress. They will take care of the entire campaign including marketing, open homes, negotiations, contracts and settlement so that you don’t have too. Choose an agent who takes the time to listen, doesn’t rush you or make you feel pressured into making decisions. A real estate agent is there to provide all the facts so you can feel assured you have all the information to make the right decision for you.

Paul Simpson is a local agent who has helped many downsizers transition to their new home. If you are considering making a move, contact Paul on 0415 588 922 for a personalised downsizing plan.

The first consideration is quite simply to find a smaller home very close by. Paul will work very hard to find that home and to get the best price for yours and he will succeed; it just might take that little bit longer to find the right one that suits within close proximity of where you are now.

The second consideration is to stay right where you are and have your large house & yard re-modelled to be 2 self-contained homes so that you don’t have to move at all and you are creating an affordable space for someone else to rent from you.

This gives you 2 things, 1. the ability to live in your smaller manageable home without having to move elsewhere and 2. passive income from the new rental you have created.

Some retirees looking to downsize find that they need extra help with managing day-to-day tasks due to health or restrictions and they have good friends, family or carers who are happy to be close and supportive. There are several options available to accommodate this.

In cases where there is a good sized back yard the first option is to build a self-contained granny flat that you can move into and have the family move into the larger house. This is a more traditional solution.

The other 2 options involve re-modelling the existing house to create either 2 completely self-contained smaller homes or creating 2 living spaces (i.e. bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens) with common areas (i.e. Dining, Lounge, Rumpus, Study).

The last option can create larger separate living spaces because the common areas are shared.

There is always a great solution for you no matter what your preference or budgetary requirements. Paul is happy to catch up over a cuppa so that you can talk about what is possible for you.