How to Get the Most Out of an Open House

Downsizing your home is a major decision, and the right moment to act is not always obvious. The best time to downsize is whenever your current home no longer aligns with your financial, lifestyle, or personal needs. It’s less about the market and more about your life stage. But deciding to downsize can be hard, and leaving a home filled with cherished memories can bring heartache. So, when is the right time to downsize? If owning your home in Seattle, WA , or renting a house in Portland, OR , has brought more stress and worry than joy in recent years, the time may be right to downsize into something smaller. In this Redfin real estate article, we’ll explore how, by considering financial, emotional, and maintenance factors, you can determine if now is the perfect time to trade your large property for a smaller, more manageable space. Financial signs you should consider downsizing Your finances often provide the clearest signal that it is time to downsize. Carrying a large mortgage or facing ever-increasing utility and maintenance bills can put unnecessary strain on your budget. High maintenance costs : Is your maintenance budget constantly being stretched by repairs on a large or older home? The costs of running and maintaining unused square footage add up significantly over time. Downsizing can drastically reduce these expenses, freeing up money for other goals. Nearing or entering retirement : Many people choose to downsize right before or as they enter retirement. This is an excellent opportunity to reduce housing payments, eliminate your mortgage, and unlock home equity. As Patricia Cavanaugh of The 3rd Act , a retirement planning service for seniors, says, “It’s time to downsize when your personal possessions and material goods are weighing you down and preventing you from making room for your new retirement lifestyle.” Desire to free up equity : Selling a larger, more expensive home and buying a smaller one means you will have a substantial amount of equity released. This money can be used to travel, invest, or simply create a more secure financial cushion for the future. Lifestyle and emotional indicators Beyond money, your day-to-day life is a powerful indicator of whether a smaller home makes sense. The way you use your space can reveal if your home is now too big for your needs. Living a simpler life may offer helpful benefits to your emotional and mental health. Becoming an empty nester : When your children move out, you might find yourself with multiple unused bedrooms and living areas. This space not only costs money to maintain and heat, but it can also feel unnecessary. Downsizing to a cozier home allows you to repurpose that space and focus on a new, simpler chapter. Too much unused space: Walk through your home and identify rooms you rarely or never use. If you have rooms that feel like storage areas rather than functional living spaces, it is a sign that your home is simply too large for your current lifestyle. Downsizing allows you to live more efficiently. A simpler, less demanding life : Large properties require a lot of effort to clean, maintain, and landscape. If you are starting to feel burdened by the chores associated with your home, downsizing to a smaller house or a low-maintenance condo can dramatically improve your quality of life. This trade-off gives you more time for hobbies or relaxation. What about the housing market? While your personal situation is the most important factor, the market can influence your timing. The best financial time to downsize is generally when your current home’s value is high. This allows you to maximize the profit from the sale, which directly translates to more funds for your smaller purchase. However, remember that when sale prices are high, so are purchase prices. A good real estate agent can help you analyze the market to find a sweet spot where you achieve the best outcome on both transactions. Making the move Once you decide it is the right time to downsize , the next big step is to declutter. This process can be the most time-consuming part of the move. Leaving an old home can be an emotional process, so the best approach is to start early and be ruthless about what you truly need. Focus on organizing, donating, and selling items well before you list your property . Frequently asked questions: What is the main benefit of downsizing? The main benefit is financial: Reducing your monthly expenses, cutting utility and maintenance bills, and freeing up a significant amount of home equity. Will downsizing definitely save me money? In most cases, yes. While the cost of moving and closing on a new, smaller home is a factor, the long-term savings from lower property taxes , lower utility costs, and reduced or eliminated mortgage payments almost always result in substantial savings. What should I do before I list my current home? The most important step is decluttering and organizing every space. A home that is neat and free of excess belongings shows much better to potential buyers and makes your eventual move much easier. 

With a new crop of trendy gifts debuting each year, it's easy to be convinced that the latest is always the greatest. But if you ask a growing number of thrifters, what’s old is new. Megan Bannister , a Des Moines, Iowa-based writer and the owner of Olio Oddities (a home store with curated thrifted finds), has been thrifting "for as long as I can remember. I’ve made it a regular part of my gifting routine for the past 5 or 6 years." She’s in good company with lifelong thrifter Grace Kraemer , a Chandler, Arizona-based content creator and social media strategist known as @ thatgenzwife on TikTok, and Bre Eggert, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based content creator and thrifting expert behind Average But Inspired . All three are passionate Thriftmas shoppers. They swear that it’s the solution to save money, waste, and share personal, memorable presents with those they love. Read on for a primer to all things Thriftmas, plus all of their best secrets if you’d like to follow suit. What Is Thriftmas? Thriftmas promotes the idea that "secondhand gifts are completely appropriate and beautiful presents to both give and receive," Eggert explains. "This movement is based on the idea that there is already plenty of 'stuff' in the world, whether that's giftable items or holiday decor," Bannister adds. So instead of shopping for new holiday gifts at big box stores or online, with Thriftmas, you are consciously making investments in previously-loved gems that feel "intentional and special," according to Kraemer, but are markedly more sustainable, unique, and often more budget-friendly. Why December Is the Perfect Time to Thrift Gifts Vintage finds have long held appeal, so you might be wondering, 'why is Thriftmas having such a moment?' Kraemer believes it’s related to two major factors: " Budgets are tight for a lot of families, so buying the latest and greatest new thing this holiday season just isn’t an option for a lot of people," she says. "Plus, I think that many of us are also realizing how much overconsumption rears its ugly head this time of year." Compared to the other 11 months of the year, sustainability experts estimate that Americans produce about 23% more waste in December, with a large portion of that related to the packaging required for online purchases . ”Thriftmas gives mindful shoppers an affordable alternative to the hustle and bustle of keeping up with the latest holiday shopping trends,” Kraemer says, while offering the opportunity to share a one-of-a-kind find that will warm the heart of the recipient. Even if you’ve made your list and checked it twice, Thriftmas can still be part of the strategy this year — and it’s easy to implement if you follow these tips from the pros. Set a Budget Before you step foot into any thrift stores, Kraemer recommends setting a rough budget for how much you plan to spend on each person. Consider tacking on a bonus fund to account for any discoveries that are perfect for a specific person but slightly over their allocated limit. (You might find something much less expensive than expected for another individual, too, offering natural balance.) "The great thing about thrifting is that you're often able to stretch your budget further than you would through traditional gifting. Since you're more likely to be putting together a collection of items when thrifting, a budget range gives you some room to pair bigger items with smaller, more budget-friendly finds," Bannister says. Keep the Recipient Top of Mind Even the most epic Thriftmas find will be a flop if it doesn’t speak to the individual who unwraps it. Above all else, keep in mind the person you’re buying a gift for and whether or not they will appreciate an item, Kraemer advises. "There is something so special about combing through items in a thrift store and finding a piece that instantly reminds you of a specific person. Gifting that item shows the person that you pay attention to the things they like and that you specifically thought of them when you stumbled upon the piece," Kraemer adds. This shows the thought that went into it, instead of just checking a name off a shopping list, Eggert agrees. Their passions might be able to help direct your shopping stops, too. For friends who love to hike, for instance, Bannister visits shops she knows stick vintage National Parks memorabilia, maps and postcards. For her pet-loving pals, Bannister searches for stores with ceramic pieces, vintage art or even dishware that feature animals similar to the beloved furry friend. Be Willing to Change Course As important as it is to maintain focus on what might be the perfect fit for your sister or best friend, it’s extremely challenging to shop according to a fixed list. "When it comes to thrifting for holiday gifts, I've found it's important to have an idea in mind, but be willing to pivot. Unless you've got lots and lots of time to spend searching, having something super specific in mind, is going to make your shopping experience more difficult," Bannister notes. Have a general idea of what you'd like to give (think: sports memorabilia or a vintage cooking tool in a color that matches their kitchen). This way, you'll have a better shopping time — and end up with cooler gifts. For example, if you're shopping for a friend who loves to host, you could pair together some fun vintage glasses, a unique tray, and some retro coasters or a funky bottle opener. Keeping an eye out for things that fit into that theme rather than looking for one singular item will make it a lot easier to put together gifts that feel cohesive. Start Early and Shop Often Sometimes, saving money requires a trade-off. If you’re investing less cash and want to have the same impact, you may need to devote more of your time instead, Kraemer admits: "With patience and repeat visits to the thrift store, however, I think you’ll find that your time investment will pay off." Avoid waiting until the last possible moment to thrift your gifts, as you might fall victim to panic-buying something random or tacky, Kraemer warns. If it feels daunting initially, Eggert suggests adjusting your mental script from "ugh, I have to do this" to "I’m on a treasure hunt quest!" "Thrifting is all about frequency," Bannister chimes in. "Not only does it take time to hone your eye for thrift shopping, but the more frequently you pop into a thrift store, the more likely you are to have shopping success. The earlier you can start your Thriftmas shopping, the better." Seek Out Ready-to-Gift Goods "Just because something is a great deal or could make for a killer DIY project doesn't mean that you're going to have the time — or, let's be honest, the desire — to upcycle it into the best gift it can be," Bannister says. "Instead, I recommend being realistic about both your skills and your bandwidth to transform thrifted items." In addition to not requiring a full glow-up, Eggert seeks out items that are unique and unlike anything you might easily score from a major retailer. "That uniqueness can come from the object itself or from the look or patina it has. For example, a set of vintage brass candlestick holders has a look totally different from a factory-finished brass set you find at a chain superstore. I think finding unique items takes gift-giving to another level," Eggert says. Inspect the Quality Before adding anything to your cart, analyze it carefully because thrifted items usually cannot be returned, Eggert flags. "Avoid thrifting objects that are broken, stained, or missing pieces. Nobody wants to receive a damaged gift," she says. Everything you purchase should be in good condition or could be easily cleaned, and should be constructed well with quality materials—and only safe building blocks. "Definitely steer clear of anything with lead in it. While you can purchase inexpensive lead test kits online and test items once you’ve purchased them, it’s a good rule of thumb to proceed with caution when it comes to vintage dishware, ceramics, and pottery made before 1971," Eggert explains. Stay Focused Thrifting is for anyone and everyone, Kraemer reminds us, "and you don’t need a special sauce to be able to do it. However, what will set you apart from other shoppers in the thrift store is if you can train yourself to slow down and focus on what’s in front of you." It’s very easy to get overstimulated by the dizzying array of options in a thrift store, she admits, and for the best finds, you must be present and anchor yourself in one area at a time. With practice, you can train your brain to be where your feet are, and teach your eyes to zoom in on the gems. At a certain point, you might find it meditative like Kraemer, who calls "thrifting Christmas gifts as some sort of therapy."  Beyond staying in the moment mid-shop, it’s wise to not lose track throughout the year. To track along with her Thriftmas progress, Bannister likes to keep a note in her phone with a running list of thrifted categories she’s seeking — and what she’s already snagged. Then when she’s out and about, she has an easy reference for the things she’s still treasure hunting for and what she already has stashed away from earlier in the year.