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Downsizing to a smaller home offers various benefits. You won’t have as large of a space to keep clean, will have less stress when it comes to property maintenance, and can cut utility costs. David Lyng Real Estate can help you find your new property in the Scotts Valley, California, area. However, before you can enjoy the benefits of a smaller space, you have to go through the downsizing process. Avoid these common mistakes when downsizing.

Skipping the decluttering process

When downsizing, you’re moving to a smaller space. Your new home may not hold all of the belongings you have in your current place—at least, not comfortably. To avoid that overcrowded feeling, start paring down your belongings before your move. Budget Dumpster provides a comprehensive to decluttering with helpful tips. For example, if you have a lot of garbage, you might consider renting a dumpster.

Getting overzealous with the decluttering process

On the other hand, you don’t want to get too eager with decluttering and tossing out items you might still need. As a rule of thumb, you can probably get rid of items that you have duplicates of or that you haven’t used in more than two years. If you aren’t sure what to do with goods you do get rid of, check out this guide. You can throw items away, recycle them, or donate them, depending on the condition they’re in.

Waiting until the last minute

Decluttering and downsizing take time. You don’t want to complete the job in a rush. Make sure to leave plenty of time to get the job done. Make a plan to guide your progress. You can use this printable template from Microsoft to create a time-sensitive to-do list. In general, aim to allow one week per room when decluttering. This ensures you don’t get overwhelmed, which can result in your wanting to give up before you’re finished.

Tackling the whole house at once

When decluttering, it’s advisable to go on a room by room basis. This ensures you don’t turn the entire house upside down at once. Start with rooms that you rarely use and work your way up to the rooms you use more frequently. You can also combine decluttering with packing. Follow best practices for packing, like clearly labeling boxes according to their rooms, and putting heavier items on the bottom of boxes and lighter items on top.

 Not factoring in your kids and pets

 If you have children or pets, consider their needs when downsizing. For example, pets may get anxious when transitioning to a new location. To help them keep calm, set aside a box of essentials, like toys, food, and a bed. Pet News Daily reveals that an elevated dog bed is a great investment if your dog is older and has joint problems. It can also help keep pups cool when it’s hot out. A dog bed with a canopy will further block your pup from harmful rays.

Miscalculating the costs of downsizing

Finally, don’t forget that downsizing costs money. First, there are expenses associated with moving into a new home, like getting the utilities turned on. Then, there are the costs of the actual downsizing and moving, like packing materials and professional movers. A moving cost calculator can help you get an idea of what you’ll have to pay. This will eliminate costly surprises and ensure you don’t get in over your head financially.

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For more content about real estate, moving, and downsizing, visit the David Lyng Real Estate blog.

How to Cope With Moving To a New City

“Moving is often weird, even in the best of circumstances, and it takes time for things to re-adjust,” says clinical psychologist Dr. Courtney Crisp. “Accept what is out of your control, and focus on taking action steps that are in your control.”