Are you downsizing from a single-family home to a Boston downtown real estate condo?
Downsizing is challenging for most people. I had a conversation with a client who recently downsized. It occurred to me as we were talking that her smaller downtown Boson condo is actually was almost the same size as my house in Lexington.
Larger homes in the burbs make it easier to accumulate more stuff without really noticing it. Smaller Boston Seaport condos like the Echelon or St. Regis in Boston have the same drawback but on a smaller scale.
We tend to fill our spaces and sometimes it starts shortly after the real estate closing is made on a property. Plans are made to fill each room with furniture.
For some home buyers needing a certain amount of space is assumed. Special rooms are needed for special activities and homes with a family room and a living room are common. The space usually doesn’t all get used at the same time but it is always there when it is needed.
I am often surprised by the answer when I ask first-time homebuyers how much space they need. Homes built today are on average 150% larger than those built-in 1980.
Space is expensive, especially in Boston’s Back Bay, Beacon Hill, or the Boston Seaport. There are taxes and maintenance, heating and cooling. Having less space can mean having more free time and more money. Before buying a downtown Boston condo think about how much space you actually use on a regular basis. By use I mean occupy with people rather than just furnishings.
Think about creating spaces that are flexible and can be used for more than one activity. We all have stuff that takes up space but that gives us little in return.
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Homeownership is a long-term commitment. Choose wisely.
Are you downsizing from a single-family home to Boston downtown real estate?
Downsizing to a Boston downtown…