As a homeowner, it can be challenging to determine whether downsizing is right for you. However, by understanding what downsizing means and looking at the benefits, you can often make the best decision for yourself with relative ease.

If you’re trying to determine whether now is the right time to downsize, here’s what you need to know, courtesy of Clark Real Estate.

What Is Downsizing?

​According to the Cambridge Dictionary, downsizing means moving “to a smaller home, usually because your home has become too large for you or as a way of saving money.” It’s a common activity among homeowners, particularly during significant life transitions.

For example, some homeowners downsize after their children head to college or otherwise move out, often because they no longer need as much space. Others decide to downsize as they prepare to retire, allowing them to simplify their lives, cut costs, modernize, and reduce home maintenance-related burdens.

Exactly how your new home differs from your last one can vary. In most cases, you’ll have less square footage when you downsize and might have fewer total rooms.

The Benefits of Downsizing

Decluttering Reduces Stress

Unless you previously embraced a minimalist lifestyle, there’s a good chance you’ve currently got some clutter. When you downsize, paring back on your belongings is typically part of the equation. Not only does it make it a great excuse to declutter, but eliminating that extra stuff can reduce stress. You won’t feel overrun by your belongings, giving you peace of mind.

Plus, there are plenty of simple approaches that make downsizing easier. You could try:

• KonMari Method
• 90/90 Rule
• Four-Box Technique

Less Cleaning to Manage

Another one of the major downsizing benefits is less cleaning. When your home is smaller (and there’s less clutter), your cleaning needs go down. You’ll have fewer surfaces to contend with and less overall square footage, letting you tackle all of your needs in less time.

Since your home won’t have as much maintenance, you’ll have more time to spend on activities you enjoy. If you’ve regularly felt pressed for time, that alone can make downsizing worthwhile.

Reinventing Yourself

When you downsize, there’s nothing that says you have to stay in the same neighborhood. Instead, you could set your sights on a new location, giving you a chance to reinvent yourself after you move.

In many ways, a move can be a fresh start. By coupling it with downsizing, you’ll get both benefits at the same time.

Smaller Energy Bills

When it comes to financial benefits, downsizing your home typically shrinks your energy bills. You’ll have less square footage to heat or cool, and that alone can make a big difference. Additionally, you might have fewer light fixtures or may be able to shift to smaller appliances that run more efficiently. As a result, your energy bill could go down quite a bit without you having to change your lifestyle.

Making Money from Your Home Sale

If your current home is larger than your new one will be, you have a money-making opportunity. Smaller houses typically cost less than their larger counterparts. As a result, there’s a decent chance you’ll earn a bit of profit on the sale that won’t have to go to your next property.

The extra cash could help you accomplish a variety of goals. You could eliminate debt, making your budget easier to manage. Handling a large purchase, tackling some renovations, or taking a vacation might also be viable options.

Try a home sale proceeds calculator if you aren’t sure how much money you could make by selling. That way, you can estimate the property’s value and your potential profit, giving you a decent idea of what to expect.

Protect Your New Home

When you downsize your home to save money, the last thing you want to happen is having to spend a lot of money out of pocket to fix several things breaking at once. You can protect yourself from this circumstance by finding the company with the best home warranty for your home. A solid home warranty will protect you in the event of an HVAC or plumbing issue, ensuring that it gets repaired quickly. All you’ll have to pay is the trade service fee. Read testimonials online to find the best provider for you.
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There are a host of financial benefits to downsizing your home. If it’s time for you to downsize, get started decluttering and organizing, sell your home at a profit, and protect your new home with a warranty.

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Suppose you've decided that this is the year to achieve your business dreams from your home because you realize all the benefits that come with doing what you do best as and when you see fit. But there's one glaringly obvious problem - your current home is too small. Here's how to make the necessary changes, so you can accommodate both. 

If you're looking for a new home in the Reno/Sparks area, visit our Reno Property Management website. 

Check if it is allowed
Before you even decide on a home where you can run your business, you'll first have to check if it is allowed. This would entail checking the rules of business zoning in your area to see if you can operate your business from your home premises. Furthermore, you may have to apply for a special license or permit depending on the type of industry you're in. So best to have these all checked out before you even resume operations so that you don't end up entangled in all sorts of red tape before you even begin. 

Check your budget
Your budget will also have to be tailored to take into account your move, what with all the extra expenses that will be involved in moving your business and its belongings over with you. For example, you may need to take out extra insurance depending on the coverage provided by your moving company if the coverage they do provide is insufficient. Also, your budget is going to have to cover all the extra expenses associated with moving and if you're moving to a new state then the additional cost of living expenses will need to be taken into account too. 

Finding a property that will meet all your requirements
Finding a property that is going to meet all your requirements is going to be something else to think about too. After all, it's going to have to be big enough to cater to both your business and your family. Furthermore, it may have to have additional rooms for a home office, for example, and it may also need to have ample parking space or access to ample parking space if you are going to have clients visiting every now and again. 

Make sure you have all the basics covered 
If you are planning on going full steam ahead with your business operations as soon as you're settled in, then you'll want to make sure you have all the basics covered as far as equipment and furniture goes. When thinking of choosing the right furniture for your home office, you should combine practicality with style to ensure that you are as productive as possible in your home office. 

Then, you'll want to think about investing in the necessary software to run your business smoothly. You will require an easy to use bookkeeping system to ensure your accounting efforts are up-to-date at all times. Here, we're referring to accounting software that allows you to store and organize your receipts adequately so that you can benefit from tax savings down the line whilst adhering to the applicable tax legislation. It should also provide you with the tools to manage your cash flow better so that you stay on top of incoming and outgoing expenses.

These are just a few of the major deliberations that need to be had before you think about up and moving everything somewhere new. But it's vital that you do to ensure you have the wherewithal to not only cope but thrive during this new transition. 
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​As the moving day comes closer, there's a lot to plan and prepare. You need to find a new home, pack all your belongings and deal with the necessary paperwork. Additionally, you need to arrange everything with various service providers and update your new address. With all of this on your plate, staying calm and organized can be pretty challenging. And when you're moving out of a rental, there are some extra steps you should take to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. The main question, of course, is should you move yourself or hire movers? Before you make this vital decision, take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both options!

We often underestimate the number of household items we have. When everything is in its place, it may seem like packing all your belongings will be a breeze. However, looks may be deceiving. Even if you prefer a minimalistic lifestyle, you'll be surprised by how much there is to pack! Never underestimate the amount of time and effort that relocation requires.
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Most people opt for a DIY move simply because of money. Hiring expert movers can be pretty expensive. Of course, the costs will depend on many factors - distance, size of your home, services you choose, etc.

While moving by yourself may seem more affordable, it often turns out more expensive. If you're inexperienced in lifting and moving heavy furniture and boxes, you might easily drop and break something. And the last thing any tenant wants is to accidentally damage the rental when moving out - that won't help you get your deposit back!
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Additionally, there is a greater risk of injuries. Even if you have reliable friends willing to lend you a hand, it will still be quite an exhausting task, especially if there's a lot of heavy lifting to be done or a lot of stairs to deal with.
 
Lastly, renting a moving truck is one thing, but driving it fully loaded from point A to point B is another. If you don't feel comfortable with the ride, hiring a professional moving company is a much safer choice.

On the other hand, there are circumstances when a DIY move is the best option:
 

• When you're on a tight budget;
• If you don't have to move furniture - your place was furnished, and you only need to pack clothes, decor you used to personalize your rental home, kitchenware, and similar items;
• When your new home is a short distance away;
• You have enough time at your disposal;
• Your friends and family can assist you with the relocation.

Experts agree that in most cases, hiring movers is the best option. Naturally, finding a reliable moving company is crucial. Unlicensed, amateur movers are more likely to add to your difficulties instead of removing the burden from your shoulders. Therefore, make sure to find the right experts for the job. Hire professionals with an outstanding reputation and several years of experience. Here's why expert movers are an excellent choice for a hassle-free, smooth relocation.

Packing and moving are not only physically exhausting. They'll also require a lot of energy and planning. There's a lot to consider, from getting packing materials, decluttering, securing the boxes, to loading the truck. All of this is likely to give you a headache at some point. Luckily, expert movers will take care of most of these tasks, so you can relax and enjoy a stress-free move.

If you're still wondering what's better, to move yourself or hire movers, here's another advantage of the latter. Many moving companies offer additional services such as dismantling the furniture and packing. Not only will they ensure every item is safe and well protected, but they'll also provide all the packing materials you need! You're not sure how to pack that delicate antique lamp? Or how many boxes you'll need to pack the kitchen? Then, hiring experts might be the right choice for you.

When you're leaving a rental, moving can be additionally stressful. Atop of all you need to do, you must ensure your soon-to-be-old home is in good condition. That means putting everything back the way it was on the day you moved in. The last thing you want is to accidentally scratch a door or damage the floors.

If you're upgrading from tenant to homeowner, you're likely to be short on time. After all, you need to find your new home, close the sale, and get everything ready for moving in. Not to mention ending your lease and all related issues. With juggling all of these tasks, planning and preparing for the upcoming relocation is an additional burden.
 
Luckily, when you hire reputable movers, you can sit back and relax. They'll arrive on time and take care of everything efficiently and professionally. The right help will enable you to focus on more important matters and make a smooth transition.

As we've mentioned before, loading the truck and driving it is more complicated than it seems. Packing items properly and loading them requires some experience and care. That's another reason why hiring movers is always a good idea. After all, you don't want your precious belongings to suffer any damage during the transport.

If you're unsure where to start your search, a moving company database such as usamovingreviews.com is a good choice. Here you can look for first-hand experiences and reviews and find a company that best suits your needs.

So, when it comes to leaving your rental, one of the essential questions to answer is: Should you move yourself or hire movers? Hiring experts is a more secure and efficient option in most cases. However, it all depends on your particular circumstances and preferences. A DIY move might save you some money, but hiring movers will make for a stress-free, efficient relocation. Not to mention you'll have valuable time and energy to devote to more important matters!

Renting comes with many advantages, but the freedom to customize your living space according to your needs and preferences certainly isn't one of them. When a hefty safety deposit and a strict lease agreement are watching your every move, turning a rental into a home becomes a much more daunting task. Still, there is no reason to despair, even if you are still not ready to upgrade from tenant to homeowner. There are many budget-friendly ways to personalize your rental home that won't aggravate your landlord or your wallet. Stay tuned to see what they are.

Add some color to the walls
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for transforming your living space. Owners typically opt for white or other neutral shades because they are universal and easy to paint over in between tenants. If this is too dull for your taste, you can always kindly ask your landlord to switch things up. If they are not too keen on the idea, offer to repaint the walls in the original color before the time comes to move out. Yes, this will be an extra expense you will need to account for, but since there are moving services for different needs and budgets available, you should be able to make an affordable plan without sacrificing anything.

Create an accent wall with removable wallpaper
This list of budget-friendly ways to personalize your rental home can't go without wallpaper. Removable wallpaper is a fantastic way to bring some color and style into your living space. There is a variety of colors, patterns, and even textures to choose from, so finding something that matches your taste shouldn't be an issue. You can even use it to upgrade the bathroom! Just be very careful when removing it if you want to get your security deposit back. If you chip or damage the walls, end-of-tenancy cleaning won't be your only issue when you decide to move.

Upgrade the lighting
Lighting plays an essential role in interior design. However, rentals usually cover only the bare necessities when it comes to illumination, be it natural or artificial. Luckily, addressing this issue is neither hard nor expensive.
You can find beautiful lamps and lighting fixtures on various online marketplaces and thrift stores for ridiculously low amounts of money. LED strip lights are an excellent solution for task lighting in the kitchen or bathroom. When it comes to wall and ceiling fixtures, you can opt for pendant lights that you can customize and arrange according to your liking if you are not allowed to install more.
Additionally, make sure to remove or replace your blinds and add airy curtains that will allow more sunlight into your living space.

Replace the hardware
Door knobs and cabinet pulls might seem insignificant, but they can really help you personalize your rental home. You can find cheap hardware online. The fact that replacing it requires minimal effort makes this trick even more attractive. Just make sure to store the original knobs, handles, and pulls in a safe place to avoid losing them.

Add a removable backsplash to your kitchen
Rarely will you find a rental with a kitchen backsplash that is just according to your liking. Luckily, you can easily address this with a removable backsplash. It will protect the walls from accidental spills and splashes and make the move-out cleaning significantly more manageable. Moreover, since it is so cheap, you can simply replace it once you get bored of the pattern.

Upgrade appliances and cabinets with contact paper
While there probably isn't much you can do about the appliances and cabinets in your rental, there are ways to make them look a bit more presentable. Contact paper! Simply clean and dry the surface you want to cover and carefully stick the paper to avoid air bubbles and creases. If you take your time with this, you might even convince your friends that you finally got that expensive stainless-steel fridge! When the time comes to move, simply remove the contact paper and no one will ever know.

Cover ugly flooring with area rugs
Since flooring isn't exactly cheap or easy to fix or replace, landlords typically don't address them unless absolutely necessary. As a result, many rentals have less than stellar floors that really affect the home's vibe. If this is the case with your apartment - there is no reason to panic! Area rugs can be a cheap and easy fix for this issue. Layer different sizes, colors, and shapes to cover the ugly spots and add a dose of coziness to your living space.

Personalize your rental home with plants
When it comes to home decor, plants are always an excellent choice. They are affordable, versatile, and capable of brightening up even the dreariest of places.
If you don't have much experience keeping them alive, know that many low-maintenance options thrive on neglect. Make sure to choose the plants that can survive with the conditions you will provide them. This means that succulents are probably not an ideal choice if your rental doesn't get much sunlight. Additionally, put your green friends in some cool planters, and place them on your shelves, hang them, or even use them to cover up the eyesores.

Don’t assume you can’t change anything
While there are many budget-friendly ways to personalize your rental home, they might not be enough for you. If you have more complex ideas in mind, don't just assume that you can do nothing about them. It's true that most landlords aren't big on allowing their tenants to make significant changes, but that might not be the case with your landlord. A kind approach, alongside responsible tenant behavior, could be enough to persuade the owner to loosen up the rules. Remember to be realistic about your demands and always offer to return the property to its previous condition. However, if your landlord won't budge and you simply don't feel at home in the rental - don't despair. There are many properties out there, and, with a bit of help, you will surely manage to find something that satisfies your needs and wishes.

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​There is a lot to consider when it comes to moving out of your rental. Whether you have been there for a long time or just a short while, multiple things can determine if you get your security deposit back or not. Always make sure that you take your time to consider all possibilities and sort them out before you officially move out. The issues that your landlord might consider deal-breakers could be as small as a few leftover nails in the wall or as big as broken furniture. With some cleaning hacks, you will be able to relax and have no problem getting all your money back.

​If you have ever rented a car, you’ll remember that you needed to do an initial inspection of damages so that you do not get charged for them afterward. The same rule should apply to an apartment or house rental. If you have done this before signing a lease for your home, it will make your life a lot easier once you decide to move out.

​Unless you do not come near your stove due to your less-than-enviable cooking skills, the kitchen is the area where you will have the most significant amount of work. You know very well how much damage oil splatters can cause and what a pain they are to clean. Almost everyone will agree that they hate cleaning the oven with a passion. Who can blame them—it is extremely difficult to do, it demands some serious contortionism, and even after you clean it, it still looks dirty.

​Procrastinating with this task, though, can create quite a messy situation, and you want to take care of it before you move out. An easy cleaning hack is to make a baking soda paste by mixing it with water and then spread it all over the oven. Leave this overnight and simply wipe it clean in the morning.

This is the home of lots of spills, stains, and bacteria. If you empty it and unplug it without cleaning, it will be a nasty sight—and smell. A bowl of baking soda overnight will take care of the smells for you. One of the best cleaning hacks is to use a vinegar solution and spray it all over the refrigerator. All the stains and grease will come off surprisingly easily.

​Your walls can go through substantial damage even if you do not hang any pictures on them. Simple, everyday activities can leave stains and marks on the walls that you will most certainly need to take care of before moving out. To clean stains, use white toothpaste with a paper towel or a rag. If you have removed nails from the walls, fill in the holes with toothpaste as well, or use the traditional nail hole fillers and even out by scraping the excess with a wet knife.

Any lighter shade of carpet will be susceptible to stains. To clean these, use a mix of hydrogen peroxide and some lemon juice. Spray the solution on the stained area and leave for a few minutes. After that, scrub it with a brush. For dark carpets, use a solution of white vinegar and a few drops of dish soap and water. If your hardwood floor has scuffs, use a tennis ball or an eraser and apply a bit of pressure while rubbing the surface. This magic trick will save your security deposit.

​You may have noticed some stubborn stains in your bathtub. They usually form from shower and hair products build-up, but also limestone. Most cleaning products will not get rid of them, so why not try a mix of lemon juice and salt? Scrub on the area until it magically disappears.

​If you are currently renting in the state of Nevada and are planning an interstate move, consider hiring a moving company. After you have finished your thorough cleaning and you got your full safety deposit, these professionals will save you a great deal of trouble and help you transfer from the state to wherever you are moving. Especially if you are relocating for the first time, you will be more than grateful for the assistance of experts. You might get overwhelmed by the amount of planning and organizing that needs to take place. With professional movers, you will rest assured that everything will be arranged for you perfectly.

​It is very easy to overlook details when moving out of your rental. Your landlord might be a lovely, honest person, but they also might be digging for ways to deduct money from your safety deposit.

1. For example, your landlord is not obligated to give you your deposit back unless you ask for it. Do not take for granted that you will simply receive it in your mail by default. You need to make sure to communicate this to your landlord before you change your address, especially if you are moving out of state or internationally.
2. In addition to that, read the lease carefully for hidden rules. You might have to pay a certain percentage for the regular wear and tear even if you have cleaned all the areas spotlessly.
3. Finally, if you are thinking of cleaning every corner of the apartment or house thoroughly, you should keep in mind that certain areas are generally in the spotlight. So before breaking your back, use the cleaning hacks in the main areas like the bathroom, the walls, the kitchen, and the floors, and pay a bit less attention to the rest of the home.

 
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