Downsizing - advice please

[jazzactivist]

Hi all! Well, if you followed my rant about estate agents you will know by now that this morning OH and I miraculously managed to secure the rental of a cottage in the seaside town of Grange-over-Sands. The thing is that it is a brand new cottage built of local stone, but is therefore built to smaller, modern interior proportions. It only has two bedroom-sized bedrooms and a sitting room / kitchen. There do seem to be quite a few built in cupboards, but they are not walk-in size. However, we have lived in larger houses for many years and, although we thought that we cut down a lot when we moved here, we will have to prune back even more of our belongings. Not necessarily a bad thing! All experiences and ideas on how to downsize and choose what has go and where to are welcome. Thank-you, Jazz X.

[sheddie]

Well done Jazz for securing your cottage and I hope you'll be very happy there. What type of thing do you have to dispose of? X

[jazzactivist]

Hi sheddie! I haven't had much of a chance yet to go through the house and look. OH hates getting rid of anything, but I am a keen thrower-outer. Sometimes so good at it that I get rid of things that I soon need! I know that the extra sofa that we have had for years, but is still very loved, has to go. It is a denim two seater bought from Next when we first got married, and we thought that we were being very trendy. It is so comfortable, even though a bit faded and worn now, but there is absolutely no space for it in this new place. We, of course, have thousands of books that neither of us want to get rid of. Also, quite a few extra ornament type things, paintings etc etc. I did a big clear-out last year when we moved here, but as this current house is the same size as our old one we have definately filled the gaps... I am not sure now how to prioritise what has to go.

[sheddie]

Jazz have you seen that programme on the TV where an architect empties all the house and paints everything white so you can see exactly what room you have and like a fresh canvas see exactly what you need and what you don't.I stayed for a few days in a caravan and I think that shows you just how you can cope with less. Saying that I wouldn't know where to begin at home! Your choice is Auction, car boot, second hand or antique shop, charity or tip!! Now what are you going to do eh? X

[jazzactivist]

Hi sheddie! I think that I will offer the biggest and most useful items on Freecycle and the excess books, ornaments, clothes etc can go to a charity shop. After our last move we only kept good items, so at least what we are passing on will be fine for other people if they like it. I have never tried a carboot sale, but don't really think that we could be bothered to load everything up to take and then bring back what we don't sell. I'm sure that they are good fun, though.

I have just been up to the new house to take some measurements and our new corner sofa that we bought to fit this house will only just squeeze into the sitting room alongside all our bookcases, and our big, chunky pine bed will only just fit into the main bedroom! There is a walk-in wardrobe in the hallway for clothes. The interior of the house is all brand new and just plain white walls and wooden woodwork, so it is quite easy to imagine how things will look. My, aren't new houses small though?

OH and I will have to share the 2nd bedroom for his writing and my craft work, so any guests will have to stay in a nearby B&B or hotel. Niece will have to sleep on the sofa when she comes to visit! Whoever decided on the interior has done a thoughtful job and has been quite ingenious about storage space. However, they obviously didn't reckon on all our books! I think with some careful planning we will manage it if we slim down what we have. Well, we wanted to try living in a small, new house in a town to see what it is like and at least with it being a rental if we don't like it we can always move very quickly. Wish me luck on the decluttering...

Oops! have just realised that even though the bed will fit into the room we won't be able to get in and out of it! Also, there is a built in fridge freezer so ours will have to go... so will our futon for guests... This is getting more complicated by the minute. I am beginning to think that the house, lovely as it is, might be too small for us. The problem is that rental properties are very hard to get here at the moment and she who hestitates is lost, as we discovered with the last property we liked.

[dragonfly]

Jazz does the new cottage have an attic that you can store stuff in until you move to a larger place.

[Crocus]

Seems you'll have to get a smaller bed Jazz! What about the other property you mentioned, is it possible to go and have a look?

[jazzactivist]

Yes, the property does have an attic, DF, but the hatch wouldn't be big enough for anything big, if you know what I mean? I did ask this morning if I could look at the other property, crocus, but unfortunately someone has already taken it. I think that I am just being a bit panicky about the size because it is a long time since we lived in a house with small rooms. We are quite large people with big furniture which we have got used to, and OH never wants to replace items of furniture until they are falling apart. He likes his home comforts! I am hoping that the plus points of living there will balance out the size. A friend has just phoned me saying that in April next year new regulations will come into force about inheritance tax, council tax and rates for second homes, so in this area there will be a lot more properties for longer term rent or sale when people find that it is too expensive to keep them just as holiday homes. By then I think that we will have made up our minds what to buy and where so, hopefully, we will have a wider choice.

[dragonfly]

Jazz what about a good shed as storage, you could have a heater in there to keep it frost free in winter and take it with you when you go. It seems a shame to get rid of much loved items if you are planning on moving to a larger property in a few months time.

[Crocus]

Oh dear, sorry to hear the other property has been taken Jazz. DF's suggestion about the shed for storage sounds good. xx

[jazzactivist]

We would be allowed to put up a small tool shed, DF, but not as large as we would need for storage.

Very, very reluctantly we have turned down the cottage that we were planning to rent. It would have just meant too much compromise and getting rid of too many items just to fit into it. I feel very heartsore as it is lovely, but OH is adamant that he isn't willing to get rid of our big, wooden bed or not have access to lower bookshelves blocked by the sofa. It is hard, as the cottage was also in a great location, central but up a quiet lane. I have arranged to view two more properties on Thursday, but they don't look as nice as this one. I am tempted to book another viewing of the original one, if it isn't already let to someone else, and make up templates of all our furniture and take them along to lay out in the rooms to see if we can make it work, but OH says that if we have to view a property 3 times just to see if we can make it work for us then it isn't going to... What would you do?

[Pippa]

I hate to find myself agreeing with a man Jazz, but I think your is right in this case, you would be getting rid of the soul of your home not just trinkets. Some things are just not meant to be, the right home will present itself to you. I hope you eventually find something to buy, do you think prices will rise when the council tax increases on holiday homes?

[Crocus]

Hi Jazz, oh dear, so sorry to hear you are heartsore about "your" cottage, but perhaps your OH is right? It perhaps won't do to get rid of furniture you love for a nice cottage. I hope one of the other cottages you have lined up to view will be the one Jazz. xxx

[jazzactivist]

My friend was just saying yesterday that more properties should become available in April next year when the changes to legislation make people think twice about keeping on their holiday cottage. I hope that prices will drop a bit, as they are still very high here for the type of house that we need (not very big, but big enough for a main room full of books!). Our main problem is that we don't really know what we want to buy and are very wary about making a mistake in this housing climate. Although we really liked our last house, and certainly all the land that came with it, we do think that we made a bit of a mistake choosing such a remote village just on its romantic attraction. It worked out fine, but if we had rented there first I don't think that we would have chosen to buy there as it was a bit inconvenient for a working couple. We don't want to make a similar mistake in an area that has a lot of 'romantic attractions' but that we still don't know all that well.

[dragonfly]

If your home won't fit all your bits and pieces it is the wrong house for you. I was disappointed when a house purchase fell through but after months of searching again we ended up with a much better one so hope you do too.

[buecherwurm]

Maybe you should decide on the location first. Then go there as often as possible and look at as many houses (to buy) as possible. This way you might be able to find just the right house. Don't put yourself under a lot of pressure, though.

[jazzactivist]

Well everyone thank-you very much for your advice. It was spot on, as usual. This morning OH and I viewed 3 houses to rent, including the controversial one again. At first it didn't seem as small as I had thought, as OH had some different ideas for arranging our furniture. However, the last house that we viewed is absolutely superb for us and as we were the first viewers we have managed to secure it and will move in on 7 Sept. It is a 1930s dormer bungalow, with a big upstairs sitting room that has plenty of space for all of our books etc., and has been renovated really well with a nice garden with veg patch. It is on the outskirts of Grange in a lovely green area and we can also just see the sea from upstairs. I will be able to cycle the 1 mile to the shops or station and the bus stops almost outside the front garden, plus I will have a room of my own for my silversmithing and OH a room for his writing.

This house had been on the market to sell for a while (at a very high price!), but now the owners just want to rent it out for a year to cover their costs and will then think again about selling it. So, you were right and a better prospect did come our way! Much as we have enjoyed living in this house and village the thought of a nice, new, spacious interior nearer to facilities is very exciting. It is only 10 mins up the road from here, though, so I can still attend my silversmithing and felting classes, plus have access to a wider range of other places. Now to start the packing...

[dragonfly]

Thats good news Jazz, I am glad you have found one you are happy with.

[jazzactivist]

Thanks, dragonfly, it is a lucky find, so long as everything goes through smoothly and the owners don't have a change of heart. We obviously aren't yet ready in our hearts for a life of permanent downsizing, as you all knew before me! It is so nice to be able to talk things over with people who've already been there and done that and have experience to share.

[Katelb]

I'm so pleased for you Jazz,I told you there was something better for you out there,and I'm delighted that you have found it.

[Crocus]

Oh YIPPEEEE Jazz! I knew something will come up, I'm so please for you! Well, off you go girl, go and pack. ;) There's not a lot of time left ........:eek:

[jazzactivist]

The estate agent has told us that the couple who own the house want a 12 month minimum lease, which is probably better for us given that we don't know what we want yet in buying our own house! They also want to meet us, as they are nervous about letting out their house and have asked the estate agent to arrange for us all to meet in a bar soon. I don't mind doing so, but it does seem a bit of an unusual request. Do you think that we should rather invite them here so that they can see the sort of tenants that we are? What do you think?

[franbee]

I think it might be nice to invite them to yours, jazz, as you say, they can 'vet' you a bit, and you can explain why you are leaving your current house. I would also be nervous letting my house to goodness-knows-who.

[dinger]

Sounds like a good idea Jazz i think they would appreciate you asking them to your house. who knows you may grow to love their house and want to buy it later on .

[Pippa]

Glad it has worked out for you Jazz,maybe you will even be able to buy the property if you fall in love with it.

[sheddie]

Well done Jazz so the right house has come up!! Great! I am a bit different in opinion to some other posts and would meet them where they suggested and keep it on a purely business footing. I think your home is too personal, it's if you had any points to put to them later about anything. Never mix business with pleasure. X

[Crocus]

Perhaps meeting on neutral ground so to speak is the better option Jazz. X

[Primrose]

Great news Jazz x

[buecherwurm]

The house sounds great, Jazz. I also would not invite them tomy home. Like sheddie says, don't mix business with pleasure.

[jazzactivist]

Yes, not mixing it was my first reaction too, but then I thought that it might reassure them. We do have a reference from our nearby neighbour to tell them what we are like as tenants. I understand that they are nervous about renting out their house, as I would be too. Maybe they want to check out if we might be likely to buy their house at the end of the year but, sadly, the original asking price is too high for our pockets.

[Crocus]

Hi Jazz, I'm quite sure they will be happy to have you as their tenants. Best wishes for the meeting and we will wait anticipation of the outcome! XXXX

[jazzactivist]

Thanks, crocus. I noticed that I won't be short of bullfriends either, as there is a field of them opposite the house!

[dragonfly]

I think meeting on neutral ground is sound advice but if I was thinking of letting my house I would really appreciate the tennant asking me to their house for it shows they have nothing to hide and that they are agreeable people. Unless you buy a house just to rent out it must be a big thing letting someone have your home especially knowing some of the things tennants get up to.