You’re not happy with your home.
It happens to so many of us, in many different phases of life.
If you have the means, you might consider selling and moving.
After all, downsizing is a growing trend, especially for empty nesters.
But at the same time, you’ve built plenty of memories in your home.
And moving can be a hassle.
So what’s the best way to go?
As both an interior decorator and home stager in London, Ontario, I’ve seen both sides of the coin.
And the truth is, sometimes it’s a good idea to stay put, and sometimes it’s better to move on.
But how do you decide?
Keep reading to find out.
Selling Your Home Vs. Renovating & Redecorating
Think back to when you first moved into your home.
You loved it, didn’t you?
It’s like a new relationship.
There’s a certain energy you just can’t duplicate with that.
The things that bother you now were cute and charming at the time.
The kitchen was oddly shaped, but it was a fun decorating challenge to work around.
The bedrooms were small, but when you set them up they were nice and cozy.
But today those things are frustrating to deal with.
You might find yourself daydreaming about selling your quaint home and moving into something bigger.
Or, you might think the backyard, where your kids and their friends once roamed freely, is now just too much of a hassle to maintain, and you’re considering a condo or a townhouse instead.
Of course, there are benefits to moving, but there are drawbacks too.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
Should You Stay?
One of the biggest factors to staying is your budget.
Simply put, buying a new house can be expensive.
Beyond that, though, it’s even more expensive to make your new home what you’d like it to be.
If you have the budget for that, great.
If you’ve seen your home appreciate in value significantly recently, you might be looking at it and seeing dollar signs.
But remember that when you sell, you’ll need to find another place to live.
And while you sold at a higher price, you’ll also have to buy at a higher price too.
Another important factor is your neighbourhood.
If you’ve lived somewhere for many years, you’ve probably had the chance to get to know your neighbours.
You’ve made yourself at home with the amenities nearby.
You know exactly how long you can sleep in in the morning while still getting to work on time.
That’s not the case with a new home.
That might be exciting to you, but if, like many of us, you’re a creature of habit, it might be less appealing.
Buying a new home can come with some unwelcome surprises as well.
Your home has its quirks, but at least you’re familiar with them and can work around them.
With a new home, it’s always a bit of a surprise what to expect.
…Or Should You Go?
On the other hand, renovating your home can be a drag.
If you want to renovate your kitchen or bathroom, it can make your home pretty much unliveable during that period.
You can always stay with family or rent a place during the renos, but it can still be inconvenient.
Renovating can also force you to wrestle with the tangled web of municipal building bylaws, which can be a pain.
A good home renovations contractor, of course, can help with this.
And while getting to know a new neighbourhood can be a hassle, it might actually turn out to be cheaper and more convenient.
Imagine, for example, being able to walk to and from work rather than being caught in traffic twice a day.
Your new home might be more energy efficient too, which can cut down on your monthly bills for water, electricity, and heating.
Call MatiDesign Today
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider.
However, regardless of your choice, I can still help.
As an interior decorator, I can help you rethink your space in a way that better suits your evolving lifestyle.
Whether that means some light redecorating or a full home renovation, I can help.
I’ll connect you with the right trades for the job, so you can rest assured your home turns out to meet your needs perfectly.
And as an accredited home stager, I can help prepare your home for sale as well.
As a product on the market, I can help your home show better, helping people imagine their lives in your home and pushing to sell it for top dollar.
Whatever your decision, to stay or to go, I can help.
Call me, Mati Edwards of MatiDesign, today, and let’s plan your dream home.
