The Return of the Scullery
Love your kitchen, but hate the mess? During these times when more people are cooking from home, and much of life is centered in the kitchen, having a space that keeps the dirty work contained can be a lifesaver. It’s the return of the scullery – and we’re not talking about Downton Abbey! In fact, right here in Arlington, VA, I’ve seen many of my clients purchase homes and immediately make some changes to get this very functional type of space set up right away.
A scullery can go by many names – super-pantry, butler’s pantry, kitchen annex, etc. – but its purpose is the same: Provide a space next to the kitchen for meal prep, counter-cluttering appliances, dirty dishes, and anything else that is best left behind the scenes.
New home design and construction in the luxury real estate market are seeing more and more of these space-saving, clutter-busting rooms with everyone embracing the concept from busy moms hosting book club to enthusiastic entertainers in pursuit of party-planning perfection.
How to create a scullery or pantry
If you have space adjacent to the kitchen that can be repurposed, such as a utility closet, unused dining room, or side porch, it’s the easiest place to start. Often it’s as easy as removing a small portion of wall and some simple electrical and plumbing work to create a space you’ll use much more.
If you’re buying a home, planning to remodel, or even designing a new home from scratch, there are often extra spaces near kitchens that remodeling experts and architects can transform to create the “extra” kitchen of your dreams.
What a modern scullery is used for
Food and party prep are one of the most popular uses for these types of large pantries. Opening wine, plating appetizers, mixing cocktails, and arranging flowers can all be done in private, then presented in all its Pinterest-worthy perfection to family or party guests. Most sculleries provide the basics such as a sink, cabinets for storage, space for large counter-top appliances such as microwaves or stand mixers, and possibly a small refrigerator.
Elegant entertainers with a goal to impress without all the mess usually want to have items such as an under-cabinet ice maker, wine refrigerator and second dishwasher. Busy parents who value family togetherness but crave a little breathing space, ask for areas that give them storage, counter space and an easy space for kids to grab-and-go on their way to school, sports and activities. Add-ons might include microwaves for midnight popcorn making, refrigerator drawers for after-school snacks, and a place to put smoothie blenders, juicers and coffee machine.
They might be an old-fashion idea, but sculleries are experiencing a new era of popularity as homeowners discover how practical, functional and fun they can be. If you are buying a new home in Arlington, VA or the surrounding area and want to learn more about finding the perfect place with all the space and functionality you need – including a scullery! – I can help. Give me a call at 703-593-6320 or email mike@mikesellsvirginia.com.
Top Outdoor Trends for Summer 2020
After a season spent indoors and under quarantine, as the weather warms up people here in the Arlington, Virginia area are gratefully heading outside with visions of entertaining, relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends. Going outside to take a stroll, visit and interact with people in the neighborhood and just be social has become a new high priority as communities get reacquainted. Porch parties, driveway drinks, happy hour walks, and front and backyard gatherings are the new belle of the ball when it comes to social time outside this summer season.
If you’re ready to invite people over and spend more time in your front or backyard, we’ve rounded up some ideas for sprucing up your décor and creating ambiance that will delight, relax, or help you find whatever you’re seeking for quality time outside.
Trend #1: Fun groupings with bold colors
Outdoor furniture is taking center stage as people are creating spaces to fit different functions while using bold colors and accents to make a statement. Grouping chairs and tables on the patio, beside the pool, or deep in a yard under leafy trees or near blooming flowers can all create attractive settings that draw people outside.
Once you’ve caught people’s attention with your fun groupings, you can please their eye with bold colors. Chair cushions and pillows in fun patterns are an easy and budget-friendly way to add color. Umbrellas with bright colors are another way, and if you’re feeling like trying something really fun you could even paint furniture in bright blues, yellows, oranges or red to complement your outdoor décor and landscaping.
Trend #2: Blue is the color of summer
Pantone’s color of the year, Classic Blue, is a natural for summer, and easy to incorporate with furniture, accessories, and even landscaping and décor. Start with pillows and umbrellas. Add painted pots and planters in bright blues and fill your flowerbeds with blue flowers such as delphiniums, bluebells, agapanthus, hydrangea, cornflowers, forget-me-nots, grape hyacinth and lobelia.
Trend #3: Edible landscapes
A rising interest in sustainability, and a new-found appreciation for farm-to-table (or yard-to-table) has led to a renewed interest in home gardening. Many vegetables and herbs look great as part of landscaping while also providing a rewarding activity. If you have a small space, try container gardening, raised beds, or something fun like using pretty trellises to support vertical growth for tomatoes, peas, and other climbing plants.
Trend #4: Modern fire pits
The ease and size of portable propane tanks have made it possible for fire pits to experience a leap forward in design and functionality. Incredibly versatile, you can purchase fire pits in any size, shape and style these days to fit the unique furniture and settings you’ve created in the backyard.
Do a quick Google or Pinterest search for “unique fire pits” and you’ll see a cornucopia of ideas and selections from fanciful iron-worked designs to asymmetrical stacks to artistic renderings of animals, trees, mountains and other shapes in copper, steel, iron, brick, stone, cement and wood.
As you rearrange and decorate, remember that your goal is to create a warm welcoming ambiance that invites people to want to go outside to read, visit with friends and family, host a dinner, have a mini-cocktail hour, start the day with coffee, tea and nature, or just sit back and take a breath and a break from the stress of the everyday world.
The changing face of luxury real estate
Luxury is going low-key, in addition to focusing on details closer to the heart of the home, according to a recent report from the Institute for Luxury Home Living, an organization that tracks industry trends.
The changing face of luxury real estate has slowly turned its focus over the past few years to the point that a definite trend has emerged that recognizes the importance of amenities that address the overall well-being for a home’s residents.
Among affluent home buyers, large estates and mega mansions are no longer optimal goals. In fact, the younger generation (especially Millennials), are shying away from this type of home ownership in favor of investing in discreet residences while instead investing much of their money invested in design, décor and other upgrades that support physical, emotional and social wellness. One ‘must’ I often hear from clients here in Arlington is the inclusion of eco-friendly fixtures and fittings that enhance both well-being while also being both environmental and budget friendly.
On the other hand, in an era where frugal mindsets and eco-conscious living is growing in popularity, opulent statement homes and massive square footage aren’t appealing to as many homeowners. That’s where low-key luxury comes into play. No matter the location, it’s always possible to customize the interior of a home to fit each homeowners’ personal physical, emotional and even spiritual needs without creating homes that could be seen as wasteful or overdone.
{See: The secretly stylish home next door}
Improving health and wellness isn’t anything new, and it’s no surprise that a focus on this is now permeating the industry to the point that it affects how home buyers and sellers are operating in today’s market. According to a recent Global Wellness Economy Monitor report, real estate that incorporates intentional wellness elements into its design, materials and building is quickly growing. There are now more than 740 wellness real estate and community developments built or in development across 34 countries – a number that grows weekly.
{See: How home design is changing to support better health and wellness}
As an experienced real estate agent in the luxury market of Arlington, Virginia I’ve noticed these trends building over the past year and affecting both buyers and sellers in our market. Trends don’t necessarily translate to being “trendy,” and it’s important to engage a Realtor you can trust who knows the difference and is able to help you navigate today’s real estate market. If you’re ready to buy or sell in the Arlington area, give me a call at 703-593-6320 or email mike@mikesellsvirginia.com. With more than 30 years of experience working and living in this area, I can provide insights, connections and resources that will be invaluable to your success.
Top home design trends for 2020
If you have anything on your New Year resolution list about freshening up your home, there are a lot of new ideas that can help you get that done. New trends are fun to explore, but it’s important to note that classic home design concepts are classics for a reason – they can still work for you if you love them and yet be easily updated with small touches. So no matter if you want to freshen up your kitchen just a bit, or give your master bed and bath a dramatic makeover, there’s bound to be something in the emerging design trends of 2020 you can embrace.
# 1 Home Design Trend: Furniture That Lasts
Longevity is in – throwaway pieces are out. In an era where homeowners are increasingly aware of creating living spaces that are eco-conscious, so-called “disposable” furniture that requires replacement every year or two is no longer desirable. Purchasing new pieces that will become heirlooms, or revitalizing antique treasures discovered in attics or at flea markets is a trend that can look beautiful in your home. When you plan a redesign of any room, consider using less furniture. However, that furniture should be of higher quality and craftsmanship – something that can tell a story and be proudly handed down through the generations.
# 2 Home Design Trend: Cozy Floors
Bleached, white and gray floors have been popular over the last few years, but home design experts are predicting a return to warm woods underfoot in the future. The good news is that you’re not restricted to just one color to stay in fashion. Lighter tones such as honey, oak and maple can be used for a more casual, vibe. Richer tones such as walnut, mahogany and dark oak create a more formal, luxurious effect.
# 3 Home Design Trend: Earth Tones
From Home Depot to haute couture, earth tone colors are rising in popularity for 2020. A very organic color palette ranging from a wide variety of greens, browns, and earthy reds are reflective of our culture’s increased focus on the natural world, and that is coming through in home design as well. An easy way to incorporate these colors into home design can be through accessories, art, furniture and lighting.
# 4 Home Design Trend: Embrace the Feminine
The modern aesthetic of cool colors and geometric lines is no longer the face of the future. According to home styling insiders, the future now looks a lot more feminine. Oval tables are replacing square. Curved lines and soft touches can be seen in accessories, art and paint colors. Homeowners who like this idea can indulge themselves with fancy lighting (think chandeliers in the dressing room), soft, flowing window coverings, or art that embraces the feminine mystique.
# 5 Home Design Trend: White Furniture
Parents with small children may wince when they see this, but yes, white furniture is indeed seeing a comeback. Check out any trending Instagram home décor influencer and you’ll see rooms entirely built around white couches, beds covered in a snowstorm of white duvets and pillows, not to mention white window coverings, lamps and outdoor furniture. That doesn’t mean your life will be whitewashed, though, as white does give you a base that you can do practically anything with to match your own personal tastes and design style. Good news for parents, advances in fabric designs have results in fabrics that repel and protect from stains and sticky fingers – which means even parents can enjoy this trend too!
2020 Pantone Color of the Year is Classic Blue
When it comes to home design, you can expect to see a lot of blue this year. That’s because Pantone recently announced that their 2020 Color of the Year is “Classic Blue,” a shade reminiscent of the blue sky at dusk.
According to the Pantone Color Institute, responsible for selecting the color of the year, Classic Blue is a calming hue meant to reassure in a tumultuous time
“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith,” says Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a press release announcing the company’s 2020 Color of the Year. “It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on.” Eiseman also explained that the color Classic Blue is meant to challenge people to “think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”
A recent story in Seattle Magazine about local resident Eiseman dived deeper in an interview with her about how the color is chosen. The process is at least a year long and definitely much more than just a whim or a staff favorite. To help make the annual decision, Eiseman visits art galleries and museums while traveling the world to attend trade shows and talks at least a year in advance of her decision. She also watches colors that appear on everything from fashion runways to NASA.
Sociopolitical climate plays a role as well, and Eiseman says the Pantone Color Institute has embraced the power of its platform to spark conversation about pressing issues beyond color. Last year, it chose “Living Coral” as the 2019 Color of the Year, in part for its aesthetic appeal and for the growing popular acceptance of the orange family of colors, but also for its contribution to an international dialogue about global warming.
The great news about this color is that when it comes to home design and décor, Classic Blue can fit any style from edgy to classic or modern to country. Like a good pair of denim jeans, it can be paired with practically anything and easily incorporated into home design in an almost limitless way.
If you love Classic Blue and want to incorporate it into your home, here are a few ideas:
KITCHEN: If you prefer keeping the kitchen a bit lighter and brighter, try using this shade of blue to add pops of color here and there (not everywhere). You could try this by painting the bottom of your island or just a few of your base cabinets Classic Blue. Appliances that come in bold colors have been another kitchen trend in the last few years, and you can easily find some in this shade. For a fun focal point, try just one appliance in blue, such as your oven or range and hood combo.
BATHROOMS: Kitchens shouldn’t get to have all of the color fun. You can start with adding Classic Blue with accessories such as towels, shower curtains or artwork. Or you can get really creative and decide that new tile is in order and create a blue oasis in one of your bathrooms. No matter how you use blue in your bathrooms, it’s a good bet that you’ll be adding feelings of being in a spa or soothing space, so go for it in these rooms for sure.
BEDROOMS: Blue is calming, soothing and can remind you of days spent on the beach or relaxing at a spa or resort. Bedrooms are supposed to be your oasis of calm in the home, so adding blue is perfect for this. Add some Classic Blue to your bedroom by refreshing bed sheets or covers, adding a few colorful pillows that pop, or going bold with new paint, wallpaper or artwork on the walls.
REST OF THE HOUSE: You can incorporate Classic Blue in everything from paint colors and wallpaper to furniture, pillows, and artwork. The sky is the limit (and the color too!) so have fun adding a little blue to your home and life. There are even flowers you can add to your home in shades of blue that will complement your Classic Blue vibe such as hydrangeas, lavender, lilacs and iris.
Wabi-Sabi style decorating tips for your home
If you love scrolling through home-décor ideas on social media, but get intimidated by the too-perfect images, Wabi-Sabi might be just what you need. The Japanese ideal of finding beauty in imperfection and creating harmony through simplicity is the perfect antidote for today’s chaotic world, and a great idea for updating your home.
In the context of interior design and decor, a home that incorporates elements of Wabi-Sabi embraces pieces that are lovingly weathered or lived in, while promoting peace and tranquility by keeping things simple. No more obsessing over every detail, or racing to have the latest shiny, high-tech gadget, and nothing overly polished or glittery.
A wide variety of home décor styles can easily incorporate elements of Wabi-Sabi, including shabby chic, farmhouse, minimalist, contemporary, and even industrial. If you want to try your hand at adding a little Wabi-Sabi to your home, here are a few ideas to get started:
Add artisanal and handmade items
Wabi-Sabi is about seeing the beauty in imperfection, and this works great with handmade or artisanal items. Ideas include a unique vase from a local pottery maker, homespun fabrics you found in a bazaar on vacation, or a bench or table made by a local craftsman.
Embrace calm and clear the clutter
Obsessive organization is not the key here, but rather clean, clutter-free areas that evoke feelings of peace and calm (instead of stress and chaos). You can have small items on counters and tabletops, but they need to have a sense of order and functional purpose. Decorative bowls and trays are very Wabi-Sabi, as are houseplants, herbs or succulents that add freshness to the space.
Bring the outdoors in
Speaking of greenery, Wabi-Sabi embraces bringing nature inside the home, valuing plants and organic elements for the sense of peace and harmony they can brings. Nature itself is also a great example of beauty in imperfection. Fresh flowers, hand-carved wooden bowls or trenchers, unique stones or agate, succulents and plants of all kinds, and even natural wood furniture can all add to your Wabi-Sabi décor.
Mismatched is exactly right
Throw out those catalogs where everything matches exactly. Adding something you love or treasure to a room, even though it is not a perfect fit aesthetically, means you’re really getting to the heart of Wabi-Sabi style. Remember, imperfection is, well, perfect!
If you want to study Wabi-Sabi a bit more before making a decision, here are a few books to reference:
- Wabi-Sabi Welcome, by Julie Pointer Adams
- Wabi-Sabi Home: Finding beauty in imperfection, by Mark Bailey and Sally Bailey
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondo
In my work as a Realtor in the Arlington, VA area, I’ve noticed elements of Wabi-Sabi working exceptionally well for home staging and décor when selling a home. The peaceful, welcoming feeling it evokes, as well as the natural tones and effortless blending with other styles are attractive for potential home buyers.
If you have questions about home staging, selling homes or the real estate market in Arlington, Virginia or the greater Northern Virginia area, please give me a call. I’ve been living and working in this area for more than 30 years and am ready to help.
How home design is changing to support better health and wellness
A home that makes you healthier? In an economy where consumers are consistently rating health and wellness as a top priority, architects and real estate professionals are creating homes that support overall well-being.
According to the 2018 Global Wellness Economy Monitor report, real estate that incorporates intentional wellness elements into its design, materials and building is quickly growing. There are now more than 740 wellness real estate and community developments built or in development across 34 countries – a number that grows weekly.
We’re not just talking about physical health, though. In fact, people’s overall views of health take into consideration at least six different aspects, including:
- Physical
- Mental
- Emotional
- Spiritual
- Social
- Environmental
Since homes are typically one of the most important investments people make in their lives – personally and financially – it makes sense that architects, home builders, interior designers and real estate professionals see the potential for integrating wellness-promoting details that support better, healthier lifestyles.
How to create a healthier home
How do designers create homes that support better health and wellness? It starts by looking at the environment a home creates, and the details that can be adjusted to support different aspects of health such as physical, mental, social, etc.
Physical and mental health can be improved, for instance, by using “green” products and construction methods that reduce toxin exposure. Creating soothing spaces that support sleep and relaxation, or that encourage interaction with nature, are also ways to use space and design to support both physical and psychological wellbeing.
Incorporating design and “smart home” elements such as built-in aromatherapy, circadian lighting systems, and sophisticated air and water filtration systems also add to the health factor for new homes.
Current homeowners who want to follow this trend don’t have to pack up and move to a new home. Design elements such as smart lighting, air and water purifying systems, and easy remodels or redecorating that transforms inside and outside spaces into relaxation zones can be incorporated to add healthful benefits for all.
Easy downsizing tips that give you a head start
Is downsizing in your future? It might sound easy but deciding what stays and what goes into your next stage of life can get overwhelming pretty quick. Life events that require downsizing like empty nesting or retirement can be planned for, but others like relocations or military moves cannot. That’s why it’s a good idea to channel your inner Marie Kondo and figure out what sparks joy and what does not.
Here are a few tips I like to share with clients and friends here in Arlington, Virginia, that are perfect for organizing and downsizing at any time of life:
#1 Tackle those mystery boxes
Random boxes seem to follow homeowners throughout their lives. Dusty, shoved to the back of closets and storage rooms, filled with mystery and who-knows-what. Everybody has them, I’m sure you do too. Tackling these boxes, one at a time, is a great way to get a jump start on downsizing.
If you haven’t opened a box in years, now is the time. Take it out of storage, dust it off, and carefully open it up. You might find childhood keepsakes, hand-me-down clothing, housewares from your college apartment days, or treasured family albums and journals. Some of these items should be sorted and set aside for keeping. But items that you never knew existed until now, and probably won’t miss, should be donated or disposed of.
#2 Let go of nostalgia but keep the memories
A lot of the “stuff” that accumulates in homes is kept for nostalgia’s sake. Downsizing means that space is limited, so it’s important to differentiate between things you need and love versus things that are just memories in the form of dusty junk. Memories are meant to be treasured, though, so here’s what to do:
Take photos, write down your memories, and create an album (digital or physical) of beloved belongings that you can always have with you without taking up all the room. Now it will be much easier to donate or discard these items without feeling like you’re turning your back on important and memorable moments of your life.
#3 Edit and put an expiration date on the extras
Downsizing is about learning to live more simply, which means getting rid of the extras that can accumulate during years of homeownership. Go room by room and clean out closets, shelves, cabinets and dressers of belongings you don’t need, never use, or maybe even forgot about.
That part is easy, but what often happens next is that many people put the items they’ve cleaned out but want to donate or recycle to others into bags or boxes that get moved into storage rooms or garages and then forgotten again. You can avoid this issue by giving each box an expiration date. Write the recipient’s name and expiration date on it. Let them know that if they want these items, they have to pick up by the date. After that, all items are donated.
#4 Work with a Realtor who understands your needs
If you are thinking of downsizing in the Arlington, Virginia area, be sure to work with an experienced Realtor who will take the time to understand your vision and help you with everything from finding the right home to navigating the timing of your transition. If you have questions about downsizing or moving to Arlington or nearby please give me a call at 703-593-6320, I’m here to help!
Decorating mistakes that make your home look out of style
Decorating trends come and go. Some become classics and stick around for a while, others not so much. If you’re thinking about selling your home, outdated décor can have a negative effect on potential buyers. Here’s a few trends of the past that can make your home look outdated – and easy ways to freshen things up.
#1 Accent Walls
OUTDATED: If you watched HGTV or read any interior-design magazine in the 90s and early 2000s, accent walls were all the thing. Using big, bold colors, materials like brick or wood, and in-your-face patterned designs, accent walls were a trend that anyone could do and practically everyone tried.
UPDATE: Start by painting your accent wall the same color as the rest of the room. If you feel like the room needs accent colors, use rugs, pillows and artwork to create focal pieces and a flow of color. Easy to move, easy to adjust, much easier on the eyes.
#2 Tuscan Faux Finishes
OUTDATED: The massive popularity of the book “Under the Tuscan Sun,” followed by the movie, created a big trend of decorating everything from kitchens to bathrooms and bedrooms with Tuscan-themed finishes, golden textured walls and painted faux stonework.
UPDATE: Easily updated, all it takes is paint and maybe a little sanding to remove textures and give your rooms a light, clean update.
#3 Jacuzzi Tubs
OUTDATED: Another trend from the 90s that was seen as a symbol of luxury is the jacuzzi tub. Large soaking tubs with lots of jets, surround by candles and lots of bubbles were all the rage. (Think Julia Roberts singing in the tub in “Pretty in Pink.”)
UPDATE: In today’s eco-conscious world where homeowners want to maximize their space while minimizing their costs, these giants tubs that take up to 80 gallons of water need to go. Replacing these tubs with large standing showers with water-efficient shower heads and space for a built-in stool or wood bench is a small project that can give you big returns when you choose to sell your home.
#4 Plantation Shutters
OUTDATED: All the rage for homes throughout the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, plantation shutters were seen as the ultimate in class and style for window treatments. But expensive and bulky plantation shutters are often hard to replace or repair as less people use them. They also cut out too much light for people today who want more light, air and a feeling of connecting to the outdoors.
UPDATE: Replace plantation shutters and let in the light. You can leave windows bare for a direct link to the outdoors or add a mix of shades and drapery to create the look you want. There are no rules and you can create any style or look by raising the height or changing the colors and patterns without too much expense.
#5 Yellow Oak Cabinets
OUTDATED: Last, but not least, are kitchens and bathrooms filled with yellow-toned oak cabinetry that home builders across the nation used by default a few decades ago.
UPDATE: Once again, there are no hard and fast rules for how your cabinetry looks and homeowners are mixing things up for style and functionality to fit their own lifestyles. Reclaimed woods, mixes of light and dark stains, floating shelves and neutral paint colors are all ways to update cabinets – and update your home.
If you’re looking for more ways to update your home, check out these articles:
- Interior Design Trends for 2019
- Luxury Real Estate Trends
- How to give outdated built-ins new life
- The secretly stylish home next door
- Turn your home into a place of relaxation
If you live in the Arlington, Virginia area and you’re ready to sell or learn more about how your home’s décor – both inside and out – can affect your experience, I’m here to help! Give me a call at 703-593-6320 or email mike@mikesellsvirginia.com.
What to look for when downsizing to a new home
The number of Americans downsizing to smaller homes has reached impressive numbers over the past few years. In fact, 46 percent of baby boomers who sold their homes in 2017 were in the process of downsizing, according to a Zillow report. People downsize for a lot of reasons: retirement, divorce, saving money, or just tired of maintaining a large space.
Moving into a smaller home for a fresh start may sound easy, but if you’re planning on downsizing in the near future a bit of planning is a good thing. I’ve helped many clients here in the Arlington, Virginia area find their downsizing dream, and noticed there are a few universal issues everyone should plan for to ensure a smooth transition.
Location Still Rules
Even if you’re now an empty nester, location is still key because it’s a major factor in your home’s value. No matter how large or small, your home is still an asset, so location will always be a consideration. Even though you don’t have children to account for, buying a home in a high-value neighborhood, in a good school district, and with proximity to major highways, shopping and dining are all things you should look for in a home.
Plan for the future
The kids have moved out, you’ve planned well, and you’re retiring early. Your lifestyle now is probably a lot different than it will be in 10, 15 or 20 years. So if you’re looking for a forever home to spend your retirement years, consider future needs you might have. Single-level homes are best, or at least ones with the master suites on the ground floor. Handicap accessible entries and at least one bathroom should also be on your list. Even if you live to be 100 and are still running marathons, who wants to go up and down stairs 20 times a day for laundry or clean 2,000 square feet of space every week?
Declutter and fit your stuff to your new space
If your downsizing plans are still a few years away, you can start on this step right now. Go through your home and decide what furniture in your home will move with you, and what will be given away or sold. Declutter things that have built up over the years by slowing cleaning out room-by-room.
Donate or sell the closets full of gifts you never used. Go through years of paperwork files and shred anything you don’t need anymore. Spring clean your closet and give away anything you haven’t worn for over two years. Ask your kids if they really want you to save your dining set for them. Usually they would rather have the money and purchase something to their own tastes, so sell the dining set and give them the proceeds. If your goal is to downsize your home by 50 percent, see if you can declutter and get rid of half your stuff.
Shop for your lifestyle needs
Think about what lifestyle you want to embrace as you move forward. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, downsizing your living space will work but you might want to plan for larger garage or storage space for things like kayaks, bicycles, or camping gear. Extensive travel plans? A home with a small apartment or “mother-in-law” space will allow you to accommodate house sitters as you circle the globe. If you love to garden and can’t imagine life without it, a full-time condo on the beach probably won’t work so well.
When you decide it’s time to downsize, be sure to work with an experienced Realtor who will take the time to understand your vision for this next stage of home ownership and help you with everything from finding the right home to navigating the timing of your transition. Downsizing into a smaller home often consists of timing issues that require considerable thought and planning. The right real estate agent can put together a seamless plan to fit your lifestyle and needs. If you have questions about retiring or moving to Arlington, Virginia or nearby please feel free to give me a call at 703-593-6320, I’m here to help!
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