 treemanPremium
join:2000-07-15
Mcgaheysville, VA | Square footage/Family size Was wondering how many people have downsized or upsized for an increasing/decreasing family size. This is a picture of our current home in Massanutten VA that we purchased 7 years ago. When we moved here we were a family of 6, now the 2 oldest(son and daughter) have moved away. The next oldest(daughter) is 2 years away from college, I am almost postive that she will be going away to college even though we live just a few miles away from James Madison University. With the declining family size it feels strange to have this much space. If we had people that came to visit alot I could see it's use, but that doesn't happen that often. The oldest kids come for hoildays, but because of work can't stay that long. Has anyone upsized/downsized and is living to regret it?, and for what reason? At this point I am feeling that downsizing is the way to go, have thought of the pro's and cons and the pros for downsizing are ahead, but I am probably missing something and wonder what others experences are. |
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AsherN
join:2010-08-23
Thornhill, ON | So you have 2 kids living at home. Even when away at colloge, they're home a significant part of the year, usually 4 months in the summer, Xmas, etc.
Is your current house paid for? Would downsizing save you money?
I'm in a similar situation. My oldest lives at home, but work has him travelling a lot, he's moving out later this year. My yongest is at university out of town for another 1.5 years, then at university in town for 2 more years. Right now, we're alone in the house a lot. When we looked at it, we decided to keep our current house until we retire, 10-15 years, and then sell the house and rent an apartment. It came down to not want to just move cash around just for a slighly smaller house. |
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BobAccount deleted
join:2012-07-22
New Jersey Reviews:
 ·Optimum Online
| reply to treeman
said by treeman:If we had people that came to visit alot I could see it's use, but that doesn't happen that often. OK, so we're invited?? Sounds good to me! When should I be there?
How big is your house? Many people move to a smaller place when the kids move out. Some of them choose condos/townhouses so they don't have to deal with maintenance when they get older. Some people who do that get bored of not having to fix their house all the time.
We went on vacation in your area last June. Stayed at Harrisonburg. Had a nice time. |
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treemanPremium
join:2000-07-15
Mcgaheysville, VA | reply to AsherN
We use to live in Alexandria Va, sold that house in 2005 prior to the housing crash. Had lived in that house for 12 years, paid cash and when we sold it we pulled 4 times what we had paid(Alexandria is sought after, but way over priced). When we moved here we paid cash for the house and the addition that we built. The next house I would build, so we would pocket money. By building a house we would be able to make it more efficient, even though this current house had a engery efficiency approval stamp when it was built in 1996 alot of things could be better. I just want to lose about 1000-1300 sqf, and as age catches me be on one level. |
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treemanPremium
join:2000-07-15
Mcgaheysville, VA | reply to Bob
We live in Massanutten outside of the Burg. Stop by anytime, just give a heads up so we are here. The house 3400 sqf. |
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 John97Over The Hills And Far AwayPremium
join:2000-11-14
Spring Hill, FL
·Bright House
| reply to treeman
I just bought a house in November. It's just me, my wife, my stepson, and my mother-in-law. I bought a 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath 3100+ sqft single-story house.
We came from a 2800sqft 4 bedroom 2.5 bath split-level house. The reason I "upsized" are as follows:
1) The disparity in pricing between Pennsylvania and Florida, I could easily afford it.
2) I wanted guest space and an office. I can relocate the office to the family room if need be (see #3 and #4 below) as we also have a large living room.
3) My stepdaughter is married and has two small children. Her husband is an absolute failure at life. I am extremely confident he will never amount to anything. I expect that one day she will realize this for herself and we're going to have to take her and the kids in here with us.
4) Who knows what else will happen? My parents are considerably younger than my wife's mother. There could be a time in the future where my mother-in-law is no longer with us and one or both of my parents can't live by themselves.
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So put me on a highway, and show me a sign.
And take it to the limit one more time... |
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BobAccount deleted
join:2012-07-22
New Jersey | reply to treeman
3400 sq ft?!?! Wow, you must like cleaning! Yeah, I'd say it's a bit big for two people. |
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treemanPremium
join:2000-07-15
Mcgaheysville, VA | reply to John97
My sister moved from outside Philly down to Naples FL. Same reason more bang for the buck |
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Bob----get real. I know taxes are lower in PA than here in NJ, but difference in property taxes alone between NJ and FL would pay for an army of house cleaners....... |
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 GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:5
 ·Dish Network
| reply to Bob
Re: Square footage/Family size said by Bob:3400 sq ft?!?! Wow, you must like cleaning! Yeah, I'd say it's a bit big for two people.
I don't know if raw square footage numbers tell the entire story. It really probably varies based on layout. Our house is a little under 3900 sf on two levels, but it doesn't feel that big.
The downstairs where we hang out most of the time is only 1900 sf. The rest of the square footage is upstairs in 5 bedrooms and 3 baths. So it's really not that much space when it comes down to actual usage.
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"You lie!" Talk about an understatement, Joe. |
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 LazManPremium
join:2003-03-26
canada | reply to Anon
said by Goober:said by Bob:3400 sq ft?!?! Wow, you must like cleaning! Yeah, I'd say it's a bit big for two people.
I don't know if raw square footage numbers tell the entire story. It really probably varies based on layout. Our house is a little under 3900 sf on two levels, but it doesn't feel that big. The downstairs where we hang out most of the time is only 1900 sf. The rest of the square footage is upstairs in 5 bedrooms and 3 baths. So it's really not that much space when it comes down to actual usage. +1
I moved from an 1100 sq ft house, to a 1450 sq ft one, this summer...
The new one, being a far smarter layout, feels WAY bigger then just the numbers would show. It's about usable space; and the way you live.
As for downsizing/rightsizing, there's way more to it then just the square footage...
- Does the present house feel like "too much" to keep up?
- Are there economic drivers for getting into something cheaper?
- Would something different actually be cheaper, compared to the mortgage, rates, etc you've got now...
Get's to be complicated fast... |
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 UglyDorkPremium
join:2002-01-09
Buffalo, NY | reply to treeman
Very simple decision that everyone else is overlooking. Downsize home and purchase bigger boat.  |
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treemanPremium
join:2000-07-15
Mcgaheysville, VA | I like that idea alot but wife won't have it, afraid it won't ever end LOL |
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AsherN
join:2010-08-23
Thornhill, ON | said by treeman:I like that idea alot but wife won't have it, afraid it won't ever end LOL
Along that line, what does SHE thinks about downsizing? That's your answer right there. |
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treemanPremium
join:2000-07-15
Mcgaheysville, VA | We have talked about it over the last couple of years, and while not jumping for joy she has not said she dislikes the idea. I spent the last 28 years as an Arborist and it is starting to catch my knees. They were checked 2 years ago and there are signs of mild osteoarthritis, this will not be getting better anytime soon as it seem to be a problem in our family. While not a serious problem at the moment I am sure they are going to get me sooner or later. Seeing that the real living area of the house is on the 2nd level(lower level has large guest bedroom,bath, pool table, large screen bar area) I think that sooner or later the steps will get old just like me |
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We are far from the point where we'd like to downsize but I don't rule it out. The main reason would be heating and cooling cost. |
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treemanPremium
join:2000-07-15
Mcgaheysville, VA | It sure would save quite a fews bucks here also |
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 DraimanLet me see those devil horns in the sky
join:2012-06-01
Kill Devil Hills, NC
 ·Verizon FiOS
| reply to UglyDork
said by UglyDork:Very simple decision that everyone else is overlooking. Downsize home and purchase bigger boat.
Never convert an appreciating asset into a depreciating asset. That's a recipe for disaster!
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What we're saying today is that you're either part of the solution or you're part of the problem. - E. Cleaver 1968 |
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 ropeguruPremium
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA | reply to treeman
See you this weekend then. Been thinking of doing some skiing.. LOL |
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