Change as good as a rest

Quoting Nick Wooldridge of Stacks Property Finders

Nick Wooldridge, of home-finding service Stacks Property Search (stacks.co.uk), who says: “A greater hurdle in our experience, is the fear of change; fear of letting go of the past and the emotional hoops that will have to be jumped through to decide what to replace the family home with.” His advice is to start thinking about downsizing early:

“There is a huge amount of planning and researching to be done and this can be achieved better where there are minimal time pressures.” Consulting grown-up children is also wise.

He explains: “There may be issues that affect your decisions that you are unaware of. If all relevant parties are aware of your intentions it prevents problems arising at a later date. But try to be resolute and put your own needs first.”

Wooldridge also suggests asking friends who have downsized for their tips and drawing up a list of benefits early on, such as lower maintenance costs, being closer to shops and even having a south-facing home. “It’s a mistake to try to recreate exactly what you had on a smaller scale,” he says.

“Think of it as a new start and an opportunity to live in a different way. For instance you can have a bathroom each, a quiet extra sitting room or a studio – or whatever it is that will give you joy. “And rather than squeezing all your old furniture into the new space, take the opportunity to re-think and redesign. Promise yourself an indulgence that you’ve always wanted – whether that’s an Aga, a walk-in wardrobe, a wet room, a sofa that you’ve been lusting ,p g, after, a top-of-the-range TV, a dedicated wine fridge, a dog room; something that properly excites you.”

And once you’ve downsized to the home that suits you best, you don’t need to do it again says Wooldridge.

Read the full story here

If you are interested in buying a property in Berkshire East or Buckinghamshire South, please contact Nick / 01628 777991 / Wooldridge@stacks.co.uk

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