Life is all about changes, including those involving where you live. The transition from a home to an apartment might seem like a massive undertaking, but with the right planning, this task can be executed with minimal stress. Learn about some of the planning tips you should consider as you downsize.
1. Think About the Why
Take a moment to reflect on why you have plans to downsize. This step is helpful because it can help you curtail your apartment search to find precisely what you are looking for. For instance, if you are moving because you want to transition from suburban life to city life, you would look at apartment communities in more populated or urban areas. Base your search on your goal to ensure you end up with what you want.
2. Create an Inventory
Early in the apartment search process, you should create an inventory of the items you plan to take with you. Naturally, you will likely not take everything that is inside your home, but you want to ensure that the items you do plan to take will fit. Having an inventory is a great way to establish this goal because it gives you a mental picture of how much space you need as you start to explore different units.
3. Explore Floorplans
Take the time to explore different floorplans; do not just base the search on the number of bedrooms or bathrooms you want. Many apartment communities have different floorplans at each bedroom level that not only have a different layout, but also often have differing square footage. For this reason, you might find that one two-bedroom unit will offer you greater space and functionality than another two-bedroom unit in the same community. Be sure to ask the leasing agent about all the options they have.
4. Consider Home Features
Moving to an apartment does not mean that you must give up some of the luxuries that come with living in a house. For example, there are apartment communities that offer garages with private unit access, there are also units with a separate tub and shower in the primary bathroom. Never think that downsizing has to mean downgrading. Take your time to explore all the options available so that you can find a unit that feels just as comfortable as your house did.
The most important thing to remember is that you must plan. Keep all these factors in mind as you plan your move to keep stress as minimal as possible. Contact a realtor to find apartments today.
