The 3 biggest mistakes people make when downsizing

1. Leaving a suburb that they love.

Downsizers often find themselves selling up their large family home wondering, where to next?

If you’re considering moving out of the suburb you have known and loved for the last 10-15 years first ask yourself, why?

Now the answer might be that you’re already familiar with the area you’re planning on moving to and are simply selling up your city base to move to your holiday home. However, if the answer is that you simply want a change in scenery perhaps consider renting in the new suburb before you take the plunge.

Rule: If you’re downsizing purely because you no longer require such a large house then there’s no reason to move out of the suburb that you have known and loved up until now.

For sale: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment at 8/34 Mathoura Road, Toorak, VIC .

2. Going too minimal.

There has long been the misconception that living small means living a minimalist way of life. However, it’s simply not true!

Living small only requires that you fill your home with the right pieces that are the right size for the space.

Rule: Don’t rush to give away all your furniture. If possible, wait until you’re in your new home before deciding what stays and what goes.

For sale: 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment at 73/11 Yarranabbe Road, Darling Point, NSW .

3. Holding onto too much.

Though we did say ‘don’t throw everything out’, unfortunately you won’t be able to take it all. Look on the bright side – moving house (especially when downsizing) is a great time to rid yourself of any unnecessary clutter to ensure you really are living a simpler life.

Rule: Ask yourself ‘have I used this in the last year?’ and ‘does it hold sentimental value?’, if the answer to these questions is ‘no’ – out it goes!

Don’t forget you can disperse your items to loved ones so the pieces won’t be out of your life completely.

For sale: 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment at 5/371, Angas Street, Adelaide, SA .