The need to change your property for an impending life change can be jarring and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The tips discussed here can help you to prepare for the unexpected through decluttering, remodeling, and other steps.
Think About How You Can Declutter
Many new life chapters will require you to declutter your home, reorganize, and potentially eliminate items you no longer need. When a change occurs, consider what you should keep, donate, or trash.
For instance, if you’re reaching retirement age, you may need to downsize to a smaller property, and it may require getting rid of items you don’t use. When that time comes, go room by room and look at clothes and items you haven’t used in the last year and consider if you really need to keep it all. When you’re doing that, think about if you have items that can be used again, like those outfits in your closet, and if they can, donate them to charity so someone else can use them for their own life chapter.
Decluttering can also be a factor when it comes to a career shift. Your new job may be more professional and require you to modify your closet to make room for business attire, or you may need to clean a room to make it into an office. Do what’s necessary in your house because smart organization benefits your space and mental health. A cluttered house can naturally make you anxious because you start worrying about how you will wrangle the mess, and you don’t need that stress when starting a new job. Clean one area at a time, and you’ll feel better overall.
Preparing For A New Addition To The Family
You may also need to take a deep dive around your home if you’re about to have children. You’ll want to create an open space where the kids can roam without the risk of tripping and falling while also removing sharp or dangerous items that can cause harm.
Bringing a child into your home may also mean that you need to get rid of your current car to buy something bigger or more kid-friendly. You have options when getting rid of a car; many people sell or donate their vehicle. Before you do, you’ll want to make considerations, including whether you have the title, which will simplify the donation during a charity auction. Also, think about how you do your taxes and if itemizing your deductions will provide a financial benefit.
You may be like many homeowners who choose to add a pet to their family. In this case, you’ll also want to plan accordingly. Welcoming a pet may require cleaning out an entire room to make space for a dog bed, scratching post, and other pet necessities. Also, go around the house and remove items and food that could be hazardous to the pet.
Finally, think about finances and other affairs, including buying homeowners insurance with dogs. It’s a good idea to add your dog to your insurance so you can cover damages and injuries they may cause. However, be aware that many insurance companies won’t allow some breeds on the policy, including rottweilers and pit bulls, especially if they have a history of biting or causing damage. However, some will allow it. You should shop around so you can cover damage if it does occur.
Remodeling Ideas
Sometimes, decluttering is not enough and you may need to make more space or repurpose a room by remodeling.
Many new empty nesters decide to remodel once the kids leave because they want to make the home their own. Some choose to add a hobby room or a home gym or simply enlarge the master bedroom to provide more space and luxury. Remodeling is also common for families welcoming a baby, especially when they don't currently have space for a nursery.
Before you start calling contractors and making grand plans, you need to have an idea of the best way to remodel for your life change. For instance, you may want to consider adding a baby-room close to the master bedroom so you can keep an eye on the child.
If you’re starting a new business where you’re working from home, it’s wise to choose a good area of the house where you’ll have space for windows so you can use the natural sunlight to see your work during the day and save money for your utility bills. Think about your specific situation and make the appropriate plans.
Conclusion
There’s no getting around the fact that you will go through a lot of life changes over the years, and your home is along for the ride. Make the best decisions every step of the way, and your transitions will be exciting and easygoing.
