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With the trend over the last decade being to "supersize," the trend to downsize was almost inevitable. Having sold homes to "empty nesters" for the past five years, I've heard every reason for and against the trend to downsize, as well as a number of ways to (and not to) go about this next, best phase of living. As with any move, having a plan is the best way to avoid the headaches and stress of downsizing, as well as to enjoy the process.

Determine your primary reason for downsizing. Reasons for downsizing run the gamut from health issues, desire to travel, wish to be closer to adult children, grandchildren or other family and friends, job change or change in marital status. Your personal situation will help determine the floor plan, storage needs, guest space and amenities you'll need in your new, smaller home.

Once you have determined your needs, you'll want to look into the different styles of homes available. Smaller homes may mean a single-family detached home in an older neighborhood with yard space, a "cluster" style home with a courtyard or maintenance-free yard, a ranch condominium home with a low-maintenance or maintenance-free exterior, a townhome in a neighborhood or "destination" locale, or a home in a multi-level or high-rise building.

Keep an open mind. If you are determined that you "can't live in an attached home," examine where your judgments have come from. Newer construction "attached" homes often provide the luxury amenities and social opportunities you desire, combined with high-quality construction that is reminiscent of a single-family home. Check for firewalls and inquire about the soundproofing between each home (often the salespeople cannot comment on this, but you can discuss this with folks who already reside there).

Floor plans for condominiums and townhomes have come a long way in the last few years, as the "Baby Boomer" generation has begun to downsize and demand open living spaces and ample storage, so you'd being doing yourself a disservice to skip this segment of the home market.

When you find your floor plan, be realistic about your furniture and keepsakes. When making the transition to a smaller home, many people find they want to try a whole new style of decorating to complement their new, carefree lifestyle. Others prefer to keep many of the pieces they already own for sentimental or financial reasons. Look at your new floor plan and create a layout for your furniture and the traffic flow (where you walk) from room to room.

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