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What You Should Keep In Mind Before You Downsize Into Your New Las Vegas Home

What You Should Keep In Mind Before You Downsize Into Your New Las Vegas Home

There are many different reasons why people downsize – they retire, get divorced, become empty nesters or are just tired of paying for (and maintaining) a larger home. But before you move from your 5,000 square foot Las Vegas home to a bungalow, you should…

…remember location, location, location.  Even though your kids don’t live at home anymore, the proximity of your local school (and how well it’s ranked) will influence your property value. Remember, schools (with good test scores), taxes, public transportation, highways and shopping all impact the value of your home.

…keep all costs in mind.  Costs to remember when buying either a home, condo or town home (besides the down payment, closing costs and mortgage) are HOA fees, building and maintenance fees (pool, tennis courts or fitness rooms) or assessment fees (for common area renovations, for example). Try to get an idea (either through association meeting minutes or from copies of HOA invoices) to how much fees have gone up in the past and if there are any planned for the future.

…picture yourself in the future.  Visualize yourself living in your smaller home when possible health conditions may surface. You don’t want to buy a multi-level home (with many stairs) if you have hip or knee problems. You also want to think about where (and how high) you kitchen cabinets are. Is grabbing your morning coffee mug going to be a problem because you can’t reach it without using a stool? Remember, downsizing is supposed to make your life easier – not more complicated.

…size up your stuff.  Oversized furniture fits and looks great in your 5,000 square foot home, but may look cramped and stuffy in your new smaller place. See if you can sell your larger pieces of furniture, then take the sale money and buy separate pieces that fit (and can be moved around) in your new home. This is also a good time to de-clutter and streamline your possessions. There’s no point moving things that you don’t want or have room for.

There are many homes on the market in Las Vegas that are perfect for downsizing homeowners. Give one of our agents a call at (702) 376-7379.  You can also browse property listings online at www.shelterrealty.com.

About the Author

Tony Sena is broker/owner of Shelter Realty in Las Vegas Nevada. For more than a decade Tony and his partners have provided residential real estate and property management services to sellers, buyers, investors, and property owners in the Las Vegas Valley. A Las Vegas native and former police officer for the City of Henderson, Tony brings to the table a unique local perspective that continues to serve his clients well.