Thanks for the video!! A big house is a "money pit"..... Expensive repairs, property taxes, and homeowners insurance will deplete your retirement savings...
@@KaceyAnnReynolds it absolutely can be... you're right! Sometimes, with larger families, it's used space until kids are all grown and then you really notice everything you mentioned!
@@jodywhitehurstrealestate3071 Also, if you time the selling of your just right and then buy a smaller home you can a HUGE amount of money to your retirement fund. I was able to do this by buying the first townhome in a very desirable community outside of Nashville....
It’s tough because you need get rid of accumulated stuff as well. I actually downsized twice already went too small the first time…then bought larger now want go smaller again! Trying to decide if want to move towards adult children…one in Raleigh! Will keep you in mind when ready. Thank you for the things to consider. Great video!
Like I said in the video, a lot about whether a house "feels" too small is the floorplan. If you have a nice flow to it, with open spaces, high ceilings, and great storage, it doesn't always have to feel small. Good luck with your decision on whether to stay or move. If you do end up thinking about the Raleigh area, I'd love to meet you!
Before my friend got sick and asked me to help I always wanted a big house. After helping her I realized how hard it was for her to get to the bathroom and maintain her home. She had 3 levels and stairs everywhere. Also 2 steps may be okay when you're young but when your back and hips ache it's such a burden. I wish I had paid more attention to this when I bought my house.
It is hard enough to keep up with a large house when you are healthy, let alone when you're unwell. The issue is in my area, that ranch homes take up too much of a footprint, which is valuable space. A lot of them are being torn down to put in multiple townhomes or row houses, which is more money in the pocket of the builder, but it leaves a real need for those who want or need one floor living.
@activistgranny2.066 ---- I know what that feels like, I have 4 levels in my house. My health is good though, thank God, but I am getting on in age, so I need to focus on decluttering first, then the rest will follow. I think that once I get started on this, it will motivate me to press on and follow through to the end and then into a new home where I can truly relax.
My sister in USA and I, in Canada, are at the stage where we have too much house now and are tired of 40+ years of looking after our homes. We have been discussing downsizing, yes, first on the list is decluttering. I am not looking forward to this, especially in my husband's workshop. Great video, excellent presentation and great advice. I have subscribed.
Excellent reasons to downsize at the start of the lecture. But, the money savings is rarely there when compared to a no mortgage larger home. (Within reason). The cost/sq ft is so much higher post plandemic that its usually best, financially, to just stay where you are. Things to consider are: Do you like your house, your neighborhood, your friends.... Do you kids, as adults, like coming home to the house they grew up in? Is your large house a good place for extended family Thanksgiving and family get-togethers.... Retirement communities have HOA's. Ever seen an HOA go down yr to yr??? High concentration of traffic in high occupancy homes... Just take all into consideration before selling a paid-off home...
I agree. There are more factors to consider than in a 10 minute video, but all of the points you mentioned would be discussed in a consultation to see if it was the right move financially and emotionally for them. This was just to be a little food for thought, but I can certainly dive deeper in my next one!
@@jodywhitehurstrealestate3071 Jody & Steph.....Steph makes some very valid points. Jodi's video does however point to a path of joy in its own right. My wife and I are 59 (two years ago when we were 57 we moved out of our paid-for 27 year family home that we raised our two children in. It was 4 bed, 2.5 bath on three levels (including the finished lower level rec room) Our home was not large by today's standards (2400 sq feet) We moved to a 3 bed 3 full bath (plus study & sunroom) freestanding condo. If you're not familiar with that it's a condominium that is physically a single family home. Our new home is actually larger with 3129 finished square feet but that includes a fully (and very nicely finished) lower level that has the 3rd (guest) bedroom, full bath and guest lounge. We live on the main floor (about 2300 sq feet) and the lower level is only used about 4 times a year when one of our kids (and small grandkids) come to visit. We hit the home lottery as we live in a boutique condominium with only 21 freestanding homes and everyone who lives here (100% owner occupied too) is over the age of 50. There are no children residing here by happenstance. So essentially it's an "over 55 community" WITHOUT technically being an over 55 community. The Association takes care of lawn, exterior maintainance, snow removal, etc. (just like a "regular" condo) and the Associa fee is reasonable for this area ($400/month) Our new place is only 6 years old and it still feels like a brand new home. We sold our 26 year family colonial home for $400K and bought our new home for $439K so yes it was a bit more expensive (we're very fortunate that we still do not have a mortgage) but our property taxes and homeowners insurance went down....considerably. My wife and I have never been happier. Everyday living on one floor just as Jody talks about. Hardwood floors throughout, gourmet kitchen, large great room and I still have my first floor study with a south facing sunroom to enjoy morning coffee in. Live is simply grand. Was moving stressful and hard two years ago...absolutely. BUT, now that it's all behind us....we know we made the right decision for us. We're so happy here and love our new neighbors. We loved our old single family home neighborhood too and thought to ourselves (back then) we could never repeat what we have. Well...we did....we're closer to our neighbors now actually. Life is simply amazing and we worked with a wonderful realtor that helped us manage the process. So bottomline, Jody's vidoe is right on the mark in terms of the benefits of considering a move like this when you're in your later 50s. Thanks Jodi for a great video and Steph....you make some very valid points. Just be sure to keep an open mind....you never know just how happy youu can become. Cheers to you both !!!!
@@MTobin1000what a lovely, thoughtful response! As I responded to Steph, this was just meant to be food for thought for those feeling like their house is too much for them at any given point in their lives. There are many other factors to be considered in the decision of whether to sell your current home. It may be the right move to stay put for some, and downsize for others. I am happy to hear that you found joy in your new home and community.
Thanks for the video!! A big house is a "money pit"..... Expensive repairs, property taxes, and homeowners insurance will deplete your retirement savings...
@@KaceyAnnReynolds it absolutely can be... you're right! Sometimes, with larger families, it's used space until kids are all grown and then you really notice everything you mentioned!
@@jodywhitehurstrealestate3071 Also, if you time the selling of your just right and then buy a smaller home you can a HUGE amount of money to your retirement fund. I was able to do this by buying the first townhome in a very desirable community outside of Nashville....
It’s tough because you need get rid of accumulated stuff as well. I actually downsized twice already went too small the first time…then bought larger now want go smaller again! Trying to decide if want to move towards adult children…one in Raleigh! Will keep you in mind when ready. Thank you for the things to consider. Great video!
Like I said in the video, a lot about whether a house "feels" too small is the floorplan. If you have a nice flow to it, with open spaces, high ceilings, and great storage, it doesn't always have to feel small. Good luck with your decision on whether to stay or move. If you do end up thinking about the Raleigh area, I'd love to meet you!
Before my friend got sick and asked me to help I always wanted a big house. After helping her I realized how hard it was for her to get to the bathroom and maintain her home. She had 3 levels and stairs everywhere. Also 2 steps may be okay when you're young but when your back and hips ache it's such a burden. I wish I had paid more attention to this when I bought my house.
It is hard enough to keep up with a large house when you are healthy, let alone when you're unwell. The issue is in my area, that ranch homes take up too much of a footprint, which is valuable space. A lot of them are being torn down to put in multiple townhomes or row houses, which is more money in the pocket of the builder, but it leaves a real need for those who want or need one floor living.
@activistgranny2.066 ---- I know what that feels like, I have 4 levels in my house. My health is good though, thank God, but I am getting on in age, so I need to focus on decluttering first, then the rest will follow. I think that once I get started on this, it will motivate me to press on and follow through to the end and then into a new home where I can truly relax.
My sister in USA and I, in Canada, are at the stage where we have too much house now and are tired of 40+ years of looking after our homes. We have been discussing downsizing, yes, first on the list is decluttering. I am not looking forward to this, especially in my husband's workshop. Great video, excellent presentation and great advice. I have subscribed.
If you have it, take your time and start with one space. It can be an emotional process, but you've got this! ❤
@@jodywhitehurstrealestate3071 -- Thank you for your response and your advice to start with one space.
Excellent reasons to downsize at the start of the lecture. But, the money savings is rarely there when compared to a no mortgage larger home. (Within reason). The cost/sq ft is so much higher post plandemic that its usually best, financially, to just stay where you are. Things to consider are: Do you like your house, your neighborhood, your friends.... Do you kids, as adults, like coming home to the house they grew up in? Is your large house a good place for extended family Thanksgiving and family get-togethers.... Retirement communities have HOA's. Ever seen an HOA go down yr to yr??? High concentration of traffic in high occupancy homes... Just take all into consideration before selling a paid-off home...
I agree. There are more factors to consider than in a 10 minute video, but all of the points you mentioned would be discussed in a consultation to see if it was the right move financially and emotionally for them. This was just to be a little food for thought, but I can certainly dive deeper in my next one!
@@jodywhitehurstrealestate3071 Jody & Steph.....Steph makes some very valid points. Jodi's video does however point to a path of joy in its own right. My wife and I are 59 (two years ago when we were 57 we moved out of our paid-for 27 year family home that we raised our two children in. It was 4 bed, 2.5 bath on three levels (including the finished lower level rec room) Our home was not large by today's standards (2400 sq feet) We moved to a 3 bed 3 full bath (plus study & sunroom) freestanding condo. If you're not familiar with that it's a condominium that is physically a single family home. Our new home is actually larger with 3129 finished square feet but that includes a fully (and very nicely finished) lower level that has the 3rd (guest) bedroom, full bath and guest lounge. We live on the main floor (about 2300 sq feet) and the lower level is only used about 4 times a year when one of our kids (and small grandkids) come to visit. We hit the home lottery as we live in a boutique condominium with only 21 freestanding homes and everyone who lives here (100% owner occupied too) is over the age of 50. There are no children residing here by happenstance. So essentially it's an "over 55 community" WITHOUT technically being an over 55 community. The Association takes care of lawn, exterior maintainance, snow removal, etc. (just like a "regular" condo) and the Associa fee is reasonable for this area ($400/month) Our new place is only 6 years old and it still feels like a brand new home. We sold our 26 year family colonial home for $400K and bought our new home for $439K so yes it was a bit more expensive (we're very fortunate that we still do not have a mortgage) but our property taxes and homeowners insurance went down....considerably. My wife and I have never been happier. Everyday living on one floor just as Jody talks about. Hardwood floors throughout, gourmet kitchen, large great room and I still have my first floor study with a south facing sunroom to enjoy morning coffee in. Live is simply grand. Was moving stressful and hard two years ago...absolutely. BUT, now that it's all behind us....we know we made the right decision for us. We're so happy here and love our new neighbors. We loved our old single family home neighborhood too and thought to ourselves (back then) we could never repeat what we have. Well...we did....we're closer to our neighbors now actually. Life is simply amazing and we worked with a wonderful realtor that helped us manage the process. So bottomline, Jody's vidoe is right on the mark in terms of the benefits of considering a move like this when you're in your later 50s. Thanks Jodi for a great video and Steph....you make some very valid points. Just be sure to keep an open mind....you never know just how happy youu can become. Cheers to you both !!!!
@@MTobin1000what a lovely, thoughtful response! As I responded to Steph, this was just meant to be food for thought for those feeling like their house is too much for them at any given point in their lives. There are many other factors to be considered in the decision of whether to sell your current home. It may be the right move to stay put for some, and downsize for others. I am happy to hear that you found joy in your new home and community.
Moving to SE Asia next year.
Wow!! Good for you!! I hope you have amazing adventures!!