Downsizing Home | 8 Reasons to Consider

[@PatrickFieldsRE]

Great video! We totally don't need all the space we have usually - just extra to clean and pay to heat!

[@EmilyFarber]

Patrick Fields, Edmonton Real Estate Guy Have you though out jumping ship to a smaller place?

[@SamanthaPearlman]

So many great things to consider. I think your totally right that we get caught up in the "Bigger is better" mindset and we really need to be focusing on whats truly important. Thanks for putting this out there!

[@EmilyFarber]

Samantha Pearlman Thanks so much for watching, Samantha. Letting go of some of the “norms” is quite a relief! The older I get the less I care.

[@SheSellsBoise]

There are so many reasons to downsize! This is a great video, I hate driving a ton too that's why we moved closer to Boise 7 years ago!

[@EmilyFarber]

Boise Idaho Real Estate with RebelAnn Location is vitally important. Thanks for watching, RebelAnn.

[@CaseySerafinoLee]

68% of the time in the kitchen and living areas...I totally believe it! Great job guys!

[@EmilyFarber]

Right?! That's exactly where I'm sitting right now replying to these comments. 😂

[@susanlawrence-nunley5776]

Yes, we have 4 kids and downsized for similar reasons as well. I think not having to drive so much was the biggest plus, but less maintenance and yard work is definitely a plus too!

[@EmilyFarber]

I’m glad to hear the move was a positive one for your family, Susan!

[@KathyWilliamsOrlandoRealEstate]

I love living in the city too! I do have a smaller home but I like the ease of getting around.

[@EmilyFarber]

Awesome!

[@tamparealestatewithmichelle]

I love love love this video. I have been feeling the tug to downsize as well; not to live near the city but just because we have so much space we don't even use and we really don't need all this space. It has become too much for me to clean and I don't want to pay someone to clean my home.

[@EmilyFarber]

Not having to clean, care and pay for unused space is a huge relief. Life is hard and busy enough. Why add more burden?

[@moving2murrieta]

So many great reasons to consider downsizing! (you mean I don't need all my 3700 sq ft?!) I love how you weave in your personal experience! Great video Emily.

[@EmilyFarber]

Moving to Murrieta by Jessica Genung Thanks for watching! I’ve lived in a big house and not so big houses...life it not necessarily better with more, but there is more to clean and pay for! Lol!

[@AlexLamRealtor]

I hate driving alot too.. Great reasons to consider downsizing

[@EmilyFarber]

Alex Lam Yep! Thanks for watching, Alex.

[@WiseMoveAZ]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Emily! We 'downsized' to about 1,100 sq ft in our last move and I found it SO liberating. I can clean it quickly and we get to be so thoughtful about what items come in!

[@EmilyFarber]

Isn't it a feeling of freedom knowing that caring for your house is easy, rather than a burden? ❤️

[@NicoleBowdleParkCityRealEstate]

I love this video!! The Yoda Part was awesome, and I enjoyed hearing your story!.... Competitive lawn mowing you're a hoot! I am a big believer in living below your means.

[@favoritelasvegasrealtor]

I hate driving so much, lol! Makes sense to downsize, due to circumstances.

[@EmilyFarber]

There's a lot of "unseen" factors that make a big difference in quality of life!

[@dianestewart893]

Another great video! I've downsized twice, but now feel like I went too far. My kitchen is more like a kitchenette; my open living room/dining area so small, I had to get rid of my sofa and two club chairs. I bought two settees which fit the space, but really miss having a normal size sofa. Hopefully, I can find a happy medium. I barely cook in my dinky kitchen! All new cabinets, stainless appliances, granite, blah blah blah, but it doesn't matter if I don't have room for storage or food prep. So, IMO, the layout is more important than just going smaller.

[@EmilyFarber]

Very true! Decent storage is important. A kitchen pantry, kitchen island/peninsula, and a master walk-in closet were still on my non-negotiable list when we moved. As the study I referenced said, 68% of time is spent in the kitchen and family room by the average American family. Those rooms must be comfortably sized for your household. Blaine talked a lot about giving up space in other rooms, like bedrooms, because in all reality, you don't need a sitting area and all that "extra wow factor" in there...all you need in a bedroom is space for your bed, side table and dresser (in his professional opinion as a real estate developer). The majority of one's time in a bedroom is spent in la-la land. Unfortunately, I had to cut that part of the video out because it was just getting too long!

[@HoustonSuburb]

I like what you said about the possession you own end up owning you. It is totally true. The yoda thing is funny!

[@EmilyFarber]

I’m glad you caught the yoda reference😉!

[@joannaignaceyourflagstaffh6531]

Downsizing is not only a big move, but it is also is an emotional one...

[@EmilyFarber]

For sure. A lot of people don't realize home many emotions are tangled up in buying and selling...for whatever reason!

[@AlysonWahl]

Delightful video. Many great reasons to no be beholden to a large home!

[@EmilyFarber]

Alyson Wahl what a great term-beholden. I want to OWN my home, not the other way around.

[@JackieBaker]

Great video!

[@EmilyFarber]

Thanks, Jackie!

[@ellenpitts1044]

Really interesting perspective. And we have so much in common! I also have 4 kids and we chose a 2200 square foot hour right in the middle of the city. It’s a 1960s home and we had to do a ton of updating to get it to something that was comfortable for us. But I genuinely love being close to everything. Now we’re actively planning to upsize for our empty nest, believe it or not. My oldest is out of the house and I have two graduating high school in the next 2.5 years. We’re planning to have larger spaces when they start getting married and having kids. I’m looking for homes that entertain large crowds well. And once it’s just us we won’t be shuttling so much anymore so being outside of town might be okay...but man I really love my location. Not sure I can part with it!!

[@EmilyFarber]

Thanks for watching, Ellen! I think it's important for people to consider alternatives before finding themselves saddled with more debt than they need and more upkeep than they like!

[@amyhayslettrealtor1901]

I like your Yoda.

[@EmilyFarber]

Amy Hayslett Realtor LoL! I wasn’t about to re-record the whole thing because I looked goofy...😂

[@DavidCathers42]

This reminds me of George Carlins routine on "Stuff". We need a bigger place for all our stuff. So then comes the time to get rid of your stuff. go enjoy the extra money and fun time.

[@EmilyFarber]

David Cathers Very true...

[@davidcrawfordvancouverreal392]

Lots of great info, thanks Emily!

[@EmilyFarber]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching, David!

[@christianmedinarealtor6070]

Can’t believe the ave size was 983 sq ft back in the day.... Great video guys!

[@EmilyFarber]

Crazy, isn't it! That's about the size of a tiny 2 bedroom, 1 bath "starter condo" now...

[@lovetoliveinlongbeachbybar2322]

Lots of great ideas

[@EmilyFarber]

Thanks!

[@angelfac3007]

Just sold my 6000 sq ft home for the exact reasons in this video!

[@LisaSabala]

Less is more! Smaller homes save you more money in the long run.

[@EmilyFarber]

Lisa Sabala Yes, they do! I more ways than one.