3 Ways to Downsize Efficiently and Move On
Having a large home can be overwhelming if you are living in it alone. Downsizing can make taking care of your home more manageable and less stressful.
It’s amazing how much stuff a person can accumulate over a few years’ time. When you start to downsize, there are several things you can do to make sure your move goes smoothly and that you don’t have any misunderstandings between family members.
Here are some ways to help you with your downsizing effort.
Donate Items to Charity
Moving to a smaller home or apartment means that you will more than likely have a lot of extra furniture, cooking utensils, and other household items. Many local charities will pick up donations of large items like beds, sofas, and dressers. Just notify them about what you have and schedule a time for pick up.
Most charities will also provide you with a receipt allowing you to take your donation off of your taxes at the end of the year. Once you have a list of items you want to donate, call your favorite charity, and schedule a pick-up time.
If there are items you just can’t part with yet, consider renting a storage unit. It might ease your concern about parting with things you aren’t ready to let go of.
Ask Family Members What They Would Like to Have
If you have family heirlooms or keepsakes, you may want to arrange to give these to your family members. This ensures that all of the things go to the person you want to have them. This will eliminate any disputes later and will make your move much easier. Another advantage of distributing family heirlooms is that there is less likelihood of something getting broken with repeated moves.
Talk to each family member and find out what they would like to have. Once you have decided who will receive what item, make arrangements to have them come over and pick it up.
Find the Right Space
The hardest part about downsizing is making sure you have the right amount of space in your new home.
After you have decluttered your current home, schedule a meeting with a real estate agent in your area. If possible, select a realtor called a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SERS) to help you sell your house. SERS realtors have experience working with clients that need to downsize. An excellent way to find a reliable agent is to ask friends and family for referrals.
People who have recently downsized might have leads on real estate agents who understand your unique needs. Another way to find a realtor is to connect with a relocation specialist. They can refer you to realtors in your area and help you navigate the relocation process if you are moving to a new state.
Relocation Help
Downsizing is a great way to maintain control over your living area. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, once you make the final decision, you will feel like a burden has been lifted off your shoulders. You will have the peace of mind you need to live comfortably without having to deal with excess clutter. Downsizing also makes caring for your home much more manageable and will give you more free time to enjoy your day.
We can help with your downsizing move! Contact us today for a free quote.
