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The Home Downsizer

Real Estate and Living Advice For the Active Boomer

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How Do You Know If It’s Time to Downsize?

time to downsize

Last month I attended a New Year’s party that was filled with old friends. There were about 50 of us and everyone there was in approximately the same age range.

And what was the main topic of conversation? DOWNSIZING.

Some people had already done it and extolled its virtues. Others had made the decision to move ahead. Some others were nervous about the entire concept and asked tons of questions.

The truth is that not everyone will benefit from downsizing. And therefore, it’s not a “must” do. If you can stay where you are and can “age in place,” then I recommend you do so. But I also believe you MUST examine all the angles before you make your decision.

Here are some questions to consider in order to make an informed decision about downsizing your home.

[Read more…]

February 1, 2017 Leave a Comment

Getting On The Same Page About Downsizing

getting on the same page about downsizing

Letting go of the home you’ve been making memories in for years can be hard. Some couples have lived in the same home for decades, and saying goodbye to those rooms where you watched your kids grow up isn’t always easy. (Believe me, I know.)

But you know what’s even more difficult? Trying to downsize your house when you and your spouse or partner aren’t on the same page about what you want to do next.

What happens if you want to move someplace new and he wants to stay where he’s always been comfortable? Or if she wants to be near the kids and you want to enjoy the benefits of a peer community? Or if you want to see the mountains every morning and she wants to live by the beach?

Simple: you work it out together.

Okay, so maybe it’s not THAT simple. In fact, for some couples, downsizing their home is the most complicated choice they’ll ever make together. But the key word is “together.”

Here are 4 tips to help couples get on the same page about downsizing and make big lifestyle changes without feeling like one (or both) of you are losing out. [Read more…]

June 24, 2016 1 Comment

The Time to Downsize is Right Now

when should i downsizeI just came back from an annual conference that, for me, are the four most interesting days of year. Keller Williams brought together 15,000 agents to share knowledge, inspire and be inspired, and to learn about future projections in the real estate market.

Here’s what I learned and why I believe the time to downsize is NOW. If you’ve been thinking about downsizing and wondering when is the right time, my recommendation would be not to wait. [Read more…]

February 26, 2016 1 Comment

Shovel Your Path

Icles 1

By now, you’re probably up to your eyeballs hearing about all the snow. Well, at least up to your knees.

You’ve spent hours shoveling, or if you’re like me, paying an outrageous amount of money to someone with a plow.

What does snow have to with downsizing? EVERYTHING!

Here’s what I mean. [Read more…]

January 28, 2016 2 Comments

Where Should You Move?

VW-Bus---for-transport-or-for-downsizing-opt

Today I want to tell you a success story.

Anne-Marie and Bob lived in the most perfect historic home in my town.

It had been an old horse stable built in the late 1800’s and its centerpiece was a huge bookcase-lined room where they held large gatherings at an enormous dining table.

235-Christopher-Interior-opt

It was romantic and filled with detail and the many beautiful things that they both collected. Anne-Marie had created glorious flower beds that had been on multiple garden tours.

235-CHRISTOPHER-opt

They raised two wonderful children in that house, though they had moved out, but it was getting to be too much. Taxes, upkeep, a change in job status – it was all eating away at their bank account. They were miserable — worried about their pension plans compared to their monthly nut.

Intellectually, they knew they should probably downsize. But the thought of that was depressing. Downsizing felt to them like “downgrading.”

Together, we started to have some conversations that were tough, at least at first. [Read more…]

December 4, 2015 2 Comments

My Downsizing Journey

My downsizing journey

I didn’t want to do it. I didn’t even have to do it. But in the end, I did it. I downsized my home.

I loved my house. Lived there for 20 years and raised 3 children in it. Loved my garden, which even made it onto my town’s fancy “Garden Tour”. It was creamy yellow with lots of white trim and a big screened-in porch.

I LOVED IT.

I downsized. And it was really hard.

Here’s my story. [Read more…]

October 15, 2015 4 Comments

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Thinking About Downsizing?

This site is a resource for empty nesters and Boomers who are ready for a new perspective on life.

Not sure where to begin? Here's my downsizing story.

My Appearance on America Weekend

I had a great time being interviewed by Valerie Smaldone for this podcast. It's all about home downsizing, my favorite subject. Listen and learn.

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About Eileen Opatut

Eileen Opatut is a blogger and real estate agent. She’s also a Boomer and empty nester with three college age kids. In 2014, Eileen sold the home she’d lived in for 20 years and became a downsizer. The experience was a lot tougher than she ever imagined and there just wasn’t a lot of helpful information anywhere. Eileen created this blog to share what she learned -- the tips and tricks she wishes somebody had told her when she first considered downsizing. Learn More...

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While we are located in Northern Jersey, we can refer you to downsizing specialists all over the United States. And if you live in the tri-state area we can work together directly.

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15 Bloomfield Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042
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