Twenty-Four Years ago, we moved into a condo we never intended to stay in. But we are still here. Has that happened to you? Are you wondering what the transition to condo living is like?
Our two boys got married that year. One week apart, so life was hectic for us that spring. We had also decided it was time to move, so the house was for sale. And that came with its own pressures and increased stress levels.
After being on the market for about six weeks, we received an acceptable offer, but they wanted us to move in 2 weeks. Could we really do that?
We decided we could, so we agreed and discovered we couldn't find anything that worked for us. The pressure was on.
Sonya, being the take-action person she is, found a condo that could be a temporary fix for us.
Back in the days of strata with no rentals allowed, the owner of our condo had received approval to rent their unit out for one year. Sonya arranged to view the apartment, and the owner asked if we would sign a one-year lease. I remember telling him we would stay six months, but I didn't think it would be a year. Fortunately for us, that didn't stop him from renting to us. Maybe he knew what was to come.
Moving day was in August 1999, and we had numerous garage sales and visits to the thrift stores to eliminate as much as we could from our collection of personal belongings. Amazing how much accumulates over the years.
Six months flew by quickly, and soon a year passed, and another wedding was about to take place, and we would then indeed be empty nesters.
Our landlord found their circumstances had changed as well. They approached us, offering us an opportunity to purchase the condo, and what had started as a temporary fix turned into something permanent.
I think it was the minute after we had an agreement in writing that Sonya began taking down the pink floral wallpaper and making it not only the place we lived but a place we would call home for the next 24 years and hopefully for the next 24. Moving from your family home to a condo is an adjustment.
Everyone will find their circumstances are different, and your reasons will vary. Our main reason, at the time, was to find a place to live quickly. And I think we were very fortunate and blessed with how our move has turned out. Hopefully, you will have more time to plan if and when your turn comes to downsize.
Here are some of the biggies I think you will need to consider:
Knowing What to Keep
Downsizing your home is a big deal. This is not something you want to take lightly, but some things need to be done.
When you move into a smaller space, you must eliminate some stuff. Obviously.
How do you know what to get rid of? What about those things that we are emotionally attached to? Some of our stuff just will not fit the room. Here is a big one. Will it fit in the elevator?
Many things go through our minds when we are downsizing our homes. Some people have trouble letting go of certain items because they mean something to them personally or because they were once important in their lives. The memories attached to these items can be hard to move on from, but sometimes we must.
My recommendation is to plan. If you think a downsizing move is in your future, start looking at what you need, then what you want. Then what needs to go? And set it up on a schedule.
Plan For It
I like to suggest you take a calendar and work backwards.
For example;
Your ideal time to move will be in the spring. May 31, 2024. A typical timeline might look like this.
Date of Firm Sale: April 19. Four to Six weeks for closing isn't unusual.
Date of Offer to buy: April 9. Ten days for a buyer's due diligence and financing should be about right.
Date property available for showing: March 18. In our current market, three weeks will pass from when your home is listed for sale til you get an accepted offer.
Our target date to begin the listing process would be March 11. Give or take. It could happen sooner, or it could take a bit more time.
Using this logic, you should be able to estimate how much time it will take for you to get your home ready for sale. Your timing will vary as you need to consider any necessary repairs and how much decluttering you must do before coming to market.
Finally
Ultimately, downsizing to a condo may not have been our initial plan, but life has a way of surprising us. Our unexpected journey has brought us comfort, memories, and a sense of home that I wouldn't trade for anything. So, as you navigate the possibility of downsizing, embrace the unexpected, trust in the process, and remember that even the most unplanned endeavours can lead to the most beautiful outcomes.
If we can help or you have any questions, give us a call, drop us a note, leave a comment and be sure to check out our Property Marketing Plan on our Website. Thanks for listening.