Having a proactive plan in place when you’re ready to downsize is the key to a low-stress transition

By Laura Briedis

Nowadays, not all people downsizing are empty nesters who raised a family and now don't need all that extra room. Some people are buying second homes and want a smaller footprint in their hometown, while some buyers are just looking for a simpler life and are embracing minimalism. Unfortunately, in this current economic climate, other homeowners are being forced to downsize.

Exactly real estate company works with all types of homeowners who choose to downsize for any number of reasons. But downsizing can be a challenge.

“If you have been thinking about downsizing, you shouldn’t wait until you are ready to sell your house to look for a real estate agent,” says Kevin Wasie, founder of Exactly. “We tell people to call us as soon as possible. We can help you at the very beginning of the process and save you time, money and lots of headaches. Having a good game plan sets you up for success.”

Exactly gives you the tools you need, including providing a comprehensive price analysis so you know what your home is really worth.

Here are the top three things Kevin advises homeowners do if they are considering downsizing:

Have a Good Plan in Place
Sometimes you need to start planning a year or two in advance. It can be overwhelming to declutter your home from items collected over the years. Start getting rid of possessions early. Have a goal in mind when you start sorting through what to keep and what to get rid of. You can hire a professional organizer who knows what items are valuable to keep and which nonprofits are in need of items to donate.

Know When to Do Things
It all comes down to timing. Depending on your finances, you can better gauge when to sell and when to buy. If you need funds from your home to buy a new house, the timing is critical. Consult with a loan officer to see if you will need a bridge loan or other financial strategies. And while you start to clean out your home, make sure to keep certain items to help stage the home before getting rid of everything.

Put Together a Good Team
Think of your real estate agent as the quarterback of the team that helps manage the plan and has all the connections you need. A good agent will help connect you to other professionals, such as a financial planner, mortgage banker, moving company, consignment company and professional organizer.

“At Exactly, we guide homeowners through every step of the home-selling process,” says Kevin. “We handle everything from pricing analysis and marketing of the home to negotiating the final deal and delivering the keys to the buyer for a $4,800 package fee, instead of a percentage of the sale. Our flat-fee pricing usually saves homeowners thousands of dollars.”

The Savings Add Up!
After reading about Exactly in Mimi Magazine, these homeowners sold their homes quickly and at a premium price. With Exactly’s $4,800 flat-rate fee, instead of a percentage of the sale, the savings really add up.

Strongsville
• 9521 North Bexley — $560,000 (saved $7,400)
• 18532 Heritage Trail — $352,000 (saved $3,240)

Medina
• 3186 Stony Hill Road — $649,900 (saved $9,198)
• 3287 Old Weymouth Road — $549,900 (saved $7,198)
• 5554 Cranmer Circle — $374, 900 (saved $3,698)

Wadsworth
• 438 Pheasant Run — $474,900 (saved $5,698)
• 9956 Fay Drive — $330,500 (saved $2,810)

Akron
• 380 West Fairlawn Blvd. — $520,000 (saved $6,600)
• 900 Merriman Road — $433,823 (saved $4,876)

To list your house or for more information, call 866-515-6789 or visit ExactlyUSA.com. Exactly Real Estate is located at 209 South Main Street, 6th Floor, in Akron.