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Downsizing Homes

photo of downsizing from a larger home to a smaller one

How Can You “Rightsize” Your Next Home?

Earlier this year, I shared exciting information about several new mid-century homes on the market in Shrewsbury, many of them within walking distance of the center of town. As you might imagine, those properties drew a lot of interest based on their location – but they also appealed to some prospective homebuyers because of their size and amount of yard space.

There has been a recent trend among certain homeowners toward downsizing to a more manageable lifestyle. While there are plenty of buyers out there who are still looking for large homes for their families, there are many families that are finding they require less space than before. The reasons vary – children growing and moving out into the world, a desire to abandon large-scale material possessions and concentrate on a more experiential lifestyle focusing on hobbies or travel, or a heightened interest in lower home maintenance and increased energy efficiency. But whatever the reason, there has been a demonstrable surge in interest in curating a smaller living space rather than sustaining a sprawling property.

Fortunately, a town like Shrewsbury has many smaller homes, and a lot of them are in excellent condition, having been lovingly maintained and updated throughout the years by diligent homeowners. There are also condominium units on the market for those who desire a simpler lifestyle. If you’re in the market for a new home, there are a few considerations to address when determining how to best “rightsize” your next home purchase.

1)Savings. What are the financial benefits of moving to a smaller home? What will you save on your monthly mortgage payments? How much will you net on the sale of your current home? If more money in your pocket is appealing to you, are you willing to give up some of the space you have now?

2) Needs. What are your “must-haves?” Maybe you don’t need as many bedrooms as you currently have, but an updated kitchen or bathroom is important to you. What about a garage? Storage space? What kind of yard do you wish to maintain? What about location?

3) Effort. Are you willing to put in the work necessary to pare down the number of belongings in your everyday space? Swapping a large home for a smaller one involves hard choices about what to keep, sell, recycle, and donate. One solution for items that you don’t currently use but may wish to access in the future is to rent a storage unit. There are several options nearby. This be an involved project, so you should think about whether you have the resources and energy to systematically sift through all of your possessions and make some hard choices. However, that effort can also be a big payoff in the long run when you enjoy the simplicity of less cleaning, yard work, and general maintenance.

4) Ambiance versus Maintenance. Many homeowners appreciate the “charm factor” that accompanies older, smaller homes. Nuances like built-in cabinetry and pocket doors outweigh the potential pitfalls of maintaining an aging house. But for those who value ease of life over architectural aesthetics, a gleaming new condo might be a better choice than a freestanding home that was built 100 years ago.

5) Self-Perception. I know that it can be hard to admit, but our homes are extensions of ourselves. We maintain them, decorate them, spend long hours in them, and ultimately, they become reflections of who we are. If your current home serves at least in part as a status symbol, you may want to rethink moving into a humbler dwelling. While a lot of people are bucking the convention that money can buy happiness, it’s fair to say that our egos can be intertwined with our living space.

6) Routines. This is an important question to ask when assessing any potential move. What impact will your new home have on your lifestyle? Whether it is a question of your children changing schools, having to shop regularly at a new supermarket, or a change in space for entertaining, a move affects many of our established routines.

If you have thought through the benefits and drawbacks of moving to a smaller home and it is something that you would be interested to explore, please contact my team and me. We will be happy to talk you through the process of finding the home that is the right size for you.

Posted in: Downsizing, Featured Blog Posts, Homes for sale in Shrewsbury MA, Realtors Shrewsbury MA, Selling your Massachusetts Home, Shrewsbury MA Real Estate, Shrewsbury Real Estate Agency Tagged: buying a home in MA, Downsizing homes in MA, selling your MA home

What Home Inspectors Wish You Knew

photo of a home inspectors checklist

Home Inspection Tips

Maribeth Lynch, Owner/Broker
Thrive Real Estate Specialists

Lately, a strong sellers’ market has meant that available homes are selling fast! But if you’re a prospective homebuyer, you should make sure that you’re balancing your expectations about your dream home’s apparent perfection with the reality of its behind-the-scenes condition. From the floorboards to the chimney and everything in between, an inspection can reveal the pitfalls of rushing to make an offer on a home that you haven’t examined closely during your showing.
 
In recent months, home inspectors have noticed a disparity between buyers’ expectations of a home’s soundness and the property’s true condition. Part of this is due to poor preparation on the part of sellers because houses are selling so fast; in fact, some contracts are falling through once inspection reveals expensive repairs or upkeep because sellers are so eager to get their houses on the market.
 
But as a prospective buyer, it is equally important to temper the emotional expectations of the home on which you are bidding with a healthy dose of consideration about the home’s true state. One inspector I spoke to recently encouraged buyers to use a showing not just to fall in love with a home’s aesthetics, but to also take an “unsexy” tour of the property to make sure that there are no noticeable flaws.

Here are a few suggestions for getting a true feel for a home’s potential defects:

  • Head to the basement and take a deep whiff of the air. Notice a dank or moldy smell? This could indicate water intrusion and/or the presence of mold. Also check out the furnace, especially if it is older. A dusty furnace is a telltale sign of a poorly-maintained heating system.
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  • Bathrooms are another place to look for the presence of mold. Examine the bathtub and shower, the windows, and even corners between the walls and ceiling or floor for evidence of mold.
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  • Go outside and walk the perimeter of the home. Look under the deck for rotten wood or sagging supports. Check all the joints between different building materials for signs of cracks, holes, or other damage. Also note whether there are a lot of branches or shrubs touching the roof or siding, as these can serve as access points for pests.
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  • Survey the yard. Is the central air conditioning unit buried under branches and shrubbery? If it is, it’s a good bet that it hasn’t seen much recent maintenance.

In addition to heeding this sound advice, it’s wise to do a little research into the most common problems that are uncovered in a home inspection. Inform yourself as much as possible about these prevalent issues:

  • Water intrusion. Whether the basement floods, the roof leaks, or windows are poorly sealed, nothing spells doom for the structural integrity of a house quite like water damage. Seeping water or water vapor can also lead to the presence of mold – which can be bad for your health and a headache to remediate.
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  • Furnace issues. Replacing a furnace can be an enormous financial burden for a new homeowner. Proper maintenance is key to the longevity and effectiveness of a furnace, so a thorough heating system examination during inspection is vital.
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  • Plumbing defects. Even something as seemingly mundane as a leaky faucet can lead to greater utility costs, and replacing pipes can be a large-scale project depending on their location.
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  • A compromised foundation. Cracked foundations are immensely expensive to fix and should be a point of concern if turned up during an inspection.
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  • Faulty or inadequate wiring. Historic homes are particularly susceptible to this problem, but another contributing factor can be modifications made by a previous owner. It’s best to ensure that electrical wiring is both sound and sufficient.
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  • Roof wear and tear. Even a home that shows no exterior evidence of roof damage may turn up deterioration on the inside. An inspection of the attic is crucial, as replacing or repairing a roof is an expensive undertaking.
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  • Pests. The presence of pests in a home varies in severity. Mice can be dealt with through traps, but termites are another issue altogether, as they must be eradicated and the damage they have caused must be remediated.

So … someone will have to fix any of these problems if they turn up in an inspection. The buyer, the seller, or both must agree on who will be responsible for repairs. The bottom line is that inspectors advise that a home inspection be taken seriously by any buyer. Attend the inspection! Ask plenty of questions! The more informed you are about the condition of the home you plan to buy, the more money you will save once you become its owner.

For more home buying tips click here

Posted in: Blog, Featured Blog Posts, Home Buyers, Homes for Sale in Northborough MA, Homes for sale in Shrewsbury MA, Homes for sale in West Boylston, Homes for sale in Westborough MA, homes for sale West Boylston, Uncategorized Tagged: buying a home in MA, buying homes for sale in Northboro, homes for sale in Boyston MA, homes for sale in Grafton MA, Homes for sale in Westborough MA, hopes for sale in Shrewsbury MA

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      Contact Info

      Thrive Real Estate Specialists
      Maribeth Lynch
      26 Maple Ave.
      Shrewsbury, MA 01545
      Direct: (508) 641-9323
      Maribeth@ThriveRealtors.com

      Thrive Realtors, Real Estate, Shrewsbury, MA
       
       
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      • Home
      • For Buyers
        ▼
        • Featured
        • Browse Properties by Town/City
        • Find Your Dream Home
        • The Home Buying Process
        • Moving Checklist
        • Get Pre-Approved
      • For Sellers
        ▼
        • Home Valuation
        • Pricing Your Home
        • Preparing your Home for A Showing
        • Sold by Thrive Realtors
      • Communities
        ▼
        • Boylston
        • Grafton
        • Holden
        • Northborough
        • Shrewsbury
        • Westborough
        • Worcester
      • About Us
        ▼
        • Agents
        • Google Reviews
        • Zillow Reviews
        • Testimonials
        • In The News
      • Blog
      • Contact Us
      • SOLD by Thrive