Whatever your reason, it should always be a positive move, an exciting new chapter and something to celebrate: all of which makes choosing the right home absolutely vital.
New build or old?
You might not consider yourself a ‘new build’ person, but think about all the advantages of moving into a fresh new property, where everything is built to the latest standards, and smart, well designed bathrooms and fitted kitchens with integrated appliances are part of the package. Luxurious underfloor heating is increasingly being built-in too, it’s a standard feature in all Kebbell homes. The much higher levels of insulation in a new home, and energy saving features such as solar panels, will make a big difference to your utility bills.
Open plan living
Spacious, open plan kitchen/diners, with direct access to the garden, are another way in which forward-thinking developers are building homes that work for modern lifestyles. The houses at Harvest View have been designed in this way to create spaces that will become the heart of your home. You might also want an office or a study, and a guest bedroom with its own bathroom. Downsizing doesn’t mean you have to compromise on these things.
Looking longer term, builders will often include a warranty for any snags that crop up. Kebbell offers the respected 10 Year Buildmark Warranty on every home, so you’ll have no major worries for the foreseeable future.
Private or Communal Gardens?
Be realistic about the size of garden you can manage. Perhaps a patio with pots is now all you want or would you prefer communal gardens, where someone else does all the hard work? For example, Osborne House our luxury apartments in Sunningdale, is set within mature, secluded communal grounds so you can enjoy a beautiful green space without lifting a finger!
Location is key
Location is of course key, and it’s a good idea to look for one that’s amenity rich. You may hanker for the peace of countryside or village living, but still want the convenience of good public transport and local restaurants, pubs, shops, healthcare, theatres and leisure centres close by. The Courtyard, Droxford, is a very good example of this, set inside a National Park but with larger towns, cities and the south coast within reach.
Security, ease of maintenance and accessibility are things you’re likely to think more about as time goes on. They’re factors that sometimes don’t become obvious until you need them. So give them as much consideration as possible when deciding on your dream home.
Prioritise storage
Downsizing will mean reorganising and finding somewhere to keep your precious belongings. At Kebbell we make sure every home has plenty of storage space. We think no one can really have too much!
You might be downsizing to release equity in your old home, which will give your finances a boost and enable you to plan for the future, help out your children, or travel more and work less. There is a movement campaigning for downsizing pensioners to be exempt from stamp duty, so watch out for news about that.
With a little extra cash in hand, you can release your inner interior designer, choose some gorgeous new pieces of furniture and indulge in the latest looks in fabrics, wallpapers and accessories. Lighter colours and clever use of mirrors and lighting will all help create an illusion of more space.
So if you’ve been thinking about downsizing then explore our new homes collections for some inspiration.
An exclusive courtyard development of eight contemporary 3 and 4 bedroom detached and semi-detached homes, set in the South Downs National Park and the picturesque and historical Meon Valley, Hampshire.
A unique development of charming 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes in the much sought after village of Bishop Monkton, a beautiful rural idyll in North Yorkshire with a thriving community.
An exquisitely crafted gated development comprising six prestigious 3 bedroom apartments with mature communal gardens.