Morgan Hill Today 2014 12 Winter | Page 66

Dave Hopkins , and wife , Maggie live in the granny unit that they added to the home that is now occupied by their daughter and her family .

Downsizing Tips

• Gather up all your important paperwork , such as the deed to your home , insurance policies , passports and other legal documents .
• Draw up a floor plan of your new home to see how much of your furniture you can realistically take with you .
• Be realistic about what you can take with you to your new home . Take some time to go through your belongings and decide what things you would like to give to family members , which ones you can sell , which ones can be donated to charity , and what you may need to just toss .
• Consider a closet organizing system in your new home so you can maximize the space .
• Remember that the object is not the memory and memories do not take up space .
• You will want to make every inch count in your reduced space , but be sure to leave some empty space as well . Having space for the eye to land evokes peace and well being . a granny unit did not work out , so the Hopkins switched gears and added a 1,500-square foot addition to the main house . The daughter ’ s family of four moved into the main house while Dave and Maggie moved into the new unit , with a spacious open concept kitchen-living room , one bedroom and bath . A guest room used by both families connects the two units of the house . The guest room also serves as a sound buffer between the two units .
The new downsized unit sits at a right angle to the main house and offers privacy and separate entrances . The back yard and outside areas , including Dave ’ s driving range are shared space . The grandkids have figured out the arrangement and are frequent and welcomed visitors to the grandparent ’ s unit .
The new arrangement keeps both families in the area , allows continued contact with long-term friends , keeps Dave involved with his volunteer work at Stanford Hospital , and lets them live in the country location they have come to love and appreciate . The arrangement also gives them access to built-in house sitting and security for their travel adventures .
Some options also exist for staying in a current location . In the volatile real estate market of the last few years , some are looking at rent backs to kids or family . Reverse mortgages might also be a solution . When a move away is in the cards , experts universally recommend that the move start with a rental . Get to know the locations and the locals before making a purchase . Sometimes renting rather than purchasing is a better financial option . There are options everywhere .
Every now and then there are stories of people that have upsized to a larger house or a home with vacation potential . The major motivator here seems to be family … Let ’ s all go to grandma ’ s house .
Downsizing can be a cautionary tale but when it is right , it is so right . Just ask Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate and wife Jennifer :
“ It is the best thing we have ever done .”
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