By Laura Hipshire
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Susan and Armen Shekerjian had accumulated five decades worth of “stuff” when they decided it was time to “rightsize” and move to Fox Run, in Novi, from their house in Bloomfield Township—a house that featured three floors and a finished basement.

“We had 50 years worth of junk,” says Susan Shekerjian.  “The Salvation Army got two garage fulls.”

Experts: many reasons to downsize
In her article “Four Reasons to Downsize,” author Rory Evans says less financial stress, less maintenance, more freedom, and more comfort can result from downsizing or “rightsizing.”

Shekerjian says it gave her the opportunity to go through everything she owned, and she benefited from Fox Run Move-In Program Manager Sharon Baksa’s assistance in the moving process.

“Sharon came out and told us what would work for us and what would fit in our new home,” says Shekerjian.

Besides donating to the Salvation Army, the Shekerjians conducted an estate sale and auction and gave to other worthy charities. They gave other important mementos to their children.

Spare bedroom makes downsizing easier
Although Nancy Ryan technically downsized from a large house in Gaylord to Fox Run, she says she has plenty of room in her new home. She says she chose the Fallston model because it offers her the perfect amount of space.

“It’s so nice and airy and bright,” she says.

Ryan says she was so happy with her new home at Fox Run she left virtually everything she owned back in Gaylord, where her home is currently up for sale.

“I bought everything new,” she says.

Ryan says she enjoys the openness of the breakfast bar, which allows her to mingle with her family while she’s cooking.

“The two bedrooms and patio are what really sold me,” Ryan explains.