Smart Shopping for a Smaller Home
-Smart Shopping for a Smaller Home-
February is primetime for home shopping in Florida. If you are moving, downsizing, or shopping for a smaller home, our Tampa Bay real estate team can help you. This month, we are listing four smart steps to enjoy big savings when buying furniture for small homes.
4 Steps for Tampa Bay Homeowners Buying Furniture
For decades, we have helped Tampa Bay homeowners navigate every stage of the real estate process, from decluttering and downsizing, to buying, selling, and investing.
Our specialty is helping seniors and retirees downsize from large homes to smaller homes, condos, villas, and townhomes. Buying furniture to fit in smaller spaces is a common to-do item when downsizing. Consider these tips for smart shopping when buying furniture:
- PRE-PLAN: Before purchasing furniture for a small space, be sure to take room measurements and determine what can fit. The dimensions and information will help you when searching the web and checking for sizes and “specifications” on item descriptions. Conducting in-store research for the perfect item can also help determine the texture and feel of a particular piece. With new trends and collections out for 2023, now is a great time to consider an exciting new style or theme for a new chapter of life.
- SEARCH: Where and when you shop matters. Terrifically, the Tampa Bay area is a shopping destination for many Floridians. Across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, you can find sales at retailers as part of their President’s Day promotions this month. Check the Tampa Bay Times for ads or watch for commercials for the local sales on furniture and home goods. Save more money by shopping thrift stores, secondhand stores, and consignment shops. Those tend to be packed with great options this time of year.
- OPTIMIZE: Generally, downsizing to smaller-sized furniture and fewer accent pieces is a key to conserving space. Multi-functioning pieces, however, can also do wonders in optimizing space.
Of course, murphy beds, day beds, and storage ottomans are top of the list, but mobile furniture is also trending. This includes table carts with wheels that can be moved around for multi-tasking (i.e., dining, puzzles, projects), or simply pushed out of sight to open-up spaces. We can also align you with interior design experts to optimize space.
- NEGOTIATE: Finally, when you have found the perfect pieces for purchase, consider negotiating. Many retailers mark prices up to 80% or more, which means that “50% off” tag is not the lowest some could go on price.
Right now, many stores also want to clear last year’s inventory to make room for 2023 collections and newer models. If in-store haggling on price is not an option, try asking for added discounts on accent items or request free delivery with your purchase. Negotiations could bring big savings on large purchases like furniture and appliances for a big or small Tampa Bay home.
As full-service real estate professionals in the Tampa Bay area, we can align you with top-notch experts in home matters. Contact Dick and Karla Nielsen at 813-294-5786 for more information about buying, selling, and investing in Florida real estate.
