How to Downsize to a Simpler Life for You and Your Pet

By, Katie Conroy

Maintaining a home and yard can eat up precious free time that could be spent on hobbies, exercise and social activities. Sizing down your belongings and reducing upkeep with a smaller house can add back time and save you money. Just make sure you think about your pet's current and future accommodations throughout your downsizing process. Read on for some tips from Marin Real Estate. 

Be Efficient

You probably have an idea of your budget and what you want in a new home, but before you start searching, reach out to your mortgage lender to get pre-approved. Lenders calculate your debt-to-income ratio to pinpoint how much you can realistically pay each month. You can calculate this by adding your existing monthly debt obligations and dividing that amount by your gross monthly income. This is an important step to make sure you are looking at the right price range of homes. When you do find the perfect place, Contour Mortgage notes that you will be one step ahead in getting an offer accepted.

Put Your House on the Market

Now that you know what you can afford, get as much as you can from the sale of your current home. American Financing points out that going smaller is a great way to save money, so the more you can make on the sale transaction, the more you have in your pocket for your new lifestyle. Prepare for listing with routine maintenance outside to make it sparkle and invite potential buyers inside. Power wash the exterior, including sidewalks and the driveway, and trim back and update the landscaping. Decorate the front entrance with planters of seasonal flowers, lanterns and a new welcome mat, and then top it off with a fresh color of paint on the front door.

Take this time to clean gutters to keep debris from clogging the rain flow, which can cause potential water damage. You may want to hire a professional to do this as they have the tools and the experience to complete the cleaning safely and efficiently. You can also request an alert for any problems needing repair or replacement before putting your home on the market. Search online to find local contractors. Make sure you read reviews before hiring anyone, and don’t forget to include multiple quotes.

When you tackle the inside of your house, lessen the impact of change on your pet by giving yourself ample time to sell and donate items that won't go with you. The less chaos there is, the less anxiety your fuzzy friend will feel. As you make repairs, pack and clean, play music to soothe your pet. Studies show that soft music has a calming effect on animals. Soft classical music calms dogs while certain cat sounds and purring frequencies relax cats.

House Shop With Your Pet in Mind

You may have a dream list of what you want in a home, but so does your dog or cat. Remember to check out yard space for Rover to run or look for ample walking places. Fluffy wants windows to sit in to catch the morning sun and a spot for a scratching post. Also, don’t forget to inspect your home for certain safety concerns, from the outlets to sharp corners, to keep your kids safe (whether they have four legs or two). 

Moving also means ensuring you find a good veterinarian at your new location, as well as pet insurance to keep bills at bay. Pet insurance provides coverage for your furbaby for instances like vet visits and necessary medicines, and if you're looking for pet insurance in California it’s a good idea to go online and do your research. Top-rated providers can be found throughout the state.

Settling into your simpler lifestyle should be quick and easy if you give yourself enough time and think ahead. With less to unpack, clean and maintain, you will find yourself with more freedom to enjoy your hobbies, friends and family, and your beloved pup or kitty will find Zen in the new space as well. 

Marin Real Estate is here for you for all your Marin County real estate needs. Contact the Narodny Team at 415.847.0309 or 415.265.7488 today!