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Downsizing & Decluttering

Find expert advice and practical tips on downsizing and decluttering your home at Starts at 60.

Thinking about downsizing and don’t know where to start?

Downsizing Made Simple

Downsizing your home

A government scheme is incentivising downsizing homes for over 55s. Source: Getty Images

How downsizing can benefit older Australians and help the housing crisis

How downsizing can benefit older Australians and help the housing crisis

Downsizing homes in preparation for retirement is becoming increasingly popular. Government assistance is also available for down-sizers.

Money and property expert weighs in. Image source: Getty

Downsizing & Decluttering

‘If we sell our farm and buy something smaller in town, how does that affect our pensions?’

‘If we sell our farm and buy something smaller in town, how does that affect our pensions?’

"Normally people are buying a cheaper home than the one they are selling and that’s what causes the move to impact on their pension."

If I sell my house, how long do I have to buy another one before I lose my Age Pension? Image source: Getty

Downsizing & Decluttering

‘If I sell my house, how long do I have to buy another one before I lose my Age Pension?’

‘If I sell my house, how long do I have to buy another one before I lose my Age Pension?’

Property and finance expert, Rachel Lane, answers the questions: 'If I sell my house, how long do I have to buy another one before I lose my Age Pension?'

When the time comes to downsize, you’ll need to decide between buying your new home first or selling your existing home first. Money expert, Rachel Lane, shares three ways to bridge the gap. Image source: Getty

Downsizing & Decluttering

Funding your downsizing journey: what are the options?

Funding your downsizing journey: what are the options?

When the time comes to downsize, you’ll need to decide between buying your new home first or selling your existing home first.

If you get it right, downsizing can have a positive impact on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Image source: Getty

Downsizing & Decluttering

The price of downsizing: 5 important financial considerations

The price of downsizing: 5 important financial considerations

Crunching the numbers on the costs and benefits of downsizing can help you avoid any nasty surprises.

More time with the grandkids is often seen as one of the benefits of granny flats. Image Source: Getty.

Downsizing your home

How to have the ‘granny flat chat’ without stressing everyone out

How to have the ‘granny flat chat’ without stressing everyone out

Solicitor Kristy Hatcher explains the benefits, payment types, and other key issues to consider before moving to a granny flat.

Beware of these hidden costs associated with selling your home. Source: Getty

Selling your home

The unexpected costs to budget for when selling your home

The unexpected costs to budget for when selling your home

Selling a house involves more than simply listing it on the market. Here are some of the hidden expenses that sellers should not overlook.

Selling your home in retirement can be a significant decision that requires careful planning and consideration. Source: Getty Images.

Downsizing & Decluttering

The important first steps you need to consider when selling your home

The important first steps you need to consider when selling your home

With careful planning and execution, selling your home can be the first step towards a fulfilling retirement and a bright new chapter in your life.

Here's our best tips to make downsizing a smooth move for you. Source: Getty

Downsizing & Decluttering

Downsizing? Here’s how to have a stress free move

Downsizing? Here’s how to have a stress free move

We've gathered some of the best moving tips to help make your downsizing move as uncomplicated and painless as possible.

Essential Reads

Downsizing your home

Julia Zaetta’s 10 best tips for lower-stress decluttering

November 10, 2020 - Rachael Rosel

Downsizing your home

Cut and keep: Starts at 60 bloggers’ best decluttering and recycling ideas

May 03, 2019 - Westpac

Moving house? Follow these packing tips from a professional

December 25, 2019 - Tamille Head

Downsizing your home

Keep, dispose or donate? How to avoid a downsizing disaster

March 05, 2020 - Tamille Head

Say goodbye to clutter with this 12 month cleaning calendar

Your 12-month cleaning calendar for a cleaner, clutter-free home

Discover the art of maintaining a consistently clean and organised home throughout the year with a practical 12-month cleaning calendar. Everything you need to know so simplify, clean and declutter your life

Expert contributors

PROPERTY EXPERTRachel LaneThe Retirement Living and Aged Care Guru

Written byKym LackmannThe Luxury Downsizing Guru

Written byAlarna Hope

Money ExpertRodney HorinThe Wealth and Aged Care Specialist

Director of the Global Ageing NetworkMarcus RileyThe Positive Ageing Advocate

Planning expertCraig ChristensenPrincipal Urban Designer

DOWNSIZING EXPERTLorraine CoxThe Downsizing & Moving Guru

A chance to win a house, a caravan, a yacht, or go on the getaway of a lifetime, all valued at $800K!

Starts at 60 Writers

Source: Wendy Harch

Wine, cheese and more: Experience the full breadth of spring in the Hunter Valley

Wine, cheese and more: Experience the full breadth of spring in the Hunter Valley

Sample delicious wines, embark on a flavourful cheese tasting journey and experience the magic of springtime in the Hunter Valley.

Barty demonstrated she hadn't lost her touch with a perfectly executed backhand that skimmed across the net, drawing cheers not only from the crowd but also from her opponent. Source: Getty Images.

Ash Barty wows fans with ‘incredible’ return to Wimbledon’s Centre Court

Ash Barty wows fans with ‘incredible’ return to Wimbledon’s Centre Court

Three years since she secured her place as Wimbledon ladies singles champion, tennis legend Ash Barty has made her long awaited return to Centre Court, delivering an "incredible" performance.

With ageing serving as one of the biggest risks for dementia and with 1 in 3 people aged 85 years likely to develop dementia, "a simple intervention like exercise" could "save our community from the enormous personal, economic and social costs associated with dementia". Source: Getty Images.

The form of exercise that can provide a long-term brain boost for older adults

The form of exercise that can provide a long-term brain boost for older adults

Exercise has long been recognised for its benefits to both body and mind. Now, a recent longitudinal study has highlighted a specific form of exercise that can enhance brain function in older adults for years.

Source: Getty Images.

Daily Joke: A man drops his cat off in the forest

Daily Joke: A man drops his cat off in the forest

A man drives deep into the forest to get rid of his cat. He lets her out at an abandoned place.

What have you still got lurking in your medicine cupboard? Source: Getty Images.

A look back at the old timey remedies of our childhood

A look back at the old timey remedies of our childhood

Our Starts at 60 blogger reminisces about the bygone era of home remedies, from Disprin and Vicks Vaporub to Bex and Vincents, and reflects on the transformation of our medicine cabinets over time.

Source: Getty Images.

Amazing lemon and almond delicious

Amazing lemon and almond delicious

If you're after an addictive winter dessert to serve up to your family and friends then you just can't go past this amazing lemon and almond delicious

While acknowledging that she "shouldn't" have broken protocol, the Diamonds Are Forever hitmaker shared details of her brief exchange with the King. Source: AP PHOTO.

Legendary singer Shirley Bassey admits to breaking royal protocol in ‘nerve-racking’ encounter

Legendary singer Shirley Bassey admits to breaking royal protocol in ‘nerve-racking’ encounter

Despite decades in the spotlight, Shirley Bassey still experiences nervousness, as shown when she received the Companion of Honour from King Charles, an experience she found more intimidating than singing for the Royal Family.

Pet parents should take their precious companion to the vet as soon as they notice these warning signs. Source: Getty Images.

The tell tale sign that your dog needs to visit the vet immediately

The tell tale sign that your dog needs to visit the vet immediately

A pet owner has shared her crucial advice on recognising an all-important sign that signals an urgent need for a vet visit for your dog.

Source: Getty Images.

The effects of poor sleep on your health (and the easy way to avoid them)

The effects of poor sleep on your health (and the easy way to avoid them)

Need a better night’s sleep? There’s an affordable new option for Aussies over 55…

Downsizing Q&A

‘We need to downsize but can’t sell our home. Can we get a bridging loan?’

July 15, 2020 - Jim Kilkenny

‘I have a mortgage and rental income, what should I do with my $70K payout?’

May 06, 2020 - Jim Kilkenny

‘I miss my house and renting makes me feel worthless. How can I become a home owner again?’

April 28, 2020 - Jim Kilkenny

‘Trying to avoid getting screwed over by a tradie was a costly exercise’

March 20, 2020 - Community Contributor

Decluttering made simple: start with the hardest part

How to overcome the emotional obstacles of downsizing

With downsizing comes the need to declutter. And for many people, knowing where to start is the hardest part. Insights into how to get started decluttering

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