After you have made the decision to downsize, the next set of decisions involves what to do with all your stuff. Cleaning out and decluttering your current home is half of the downsizing project – and it can be a hefty one at that. Here are some tips to help you along the way.
- A Plan and a Budget
We recommend putting together a plan and a budget for your move. Consider this: Are you willing to spend money on a move manager? How many new items do you plan to purchase for your new home, and do they include appliances or furniture? Will you need to find storage for items that won’t fit in your new home? Will you rely on family/friends to move you, or will you hire a professional mover? It is easy to overspend or underspend when your mind is overwhelmed by a downsize. Thus, it is important to have a plan and a budget for where you would like to hire help for your move.
- Consider Getting Professional Help
There are professionals who make a living from helping people organize and prepare for a move; they are called Senior Move Managers. Look for someone who has plenty of experience in organization and move planning who can facilitate your downsize. They should be reliable and trustworthy, after all, they are handling all of your personal belongings. Getting someone to help you sort your belongings, pack up your items, drop off donations, arrange shipments, find storage, and arrange for a dumpster will be a huge relief and will certainly make the process faster and easier for you.
- Organize
Organization is always important, and it is vital in the downsizing process. With the help of a move manager or family member, start by sorting through items in your home—determine what you want to keep, offer to family, sell, donate or toss. Start small – like with a coat closet or a pantry – and work your way up to larger rooms; that way you won’t get too overwhelmed. Consider using different colored stickers to indicate what should happen to each item. Take inventory so you know what you have and what you need. We also recommend getting rid of multiples or anything that you haven’t used in the past year or so—try to slim down your things before the move, so you don’t just move the clutter. Pack your things carefully and thoughtfully. Try to keep like items together so that your things are easily found and nothing goes missing. With anything fragile or valuable, write “Fragile” on the box so that no unfortunate mishap occurs. Label and number boxes with what goes in what room, and keep a list of what boxes you have packed.
While the thought of downsizing can seem very overwhelming, Berman Property Solutions is here to list and sell your home, deal with your personal property, and to facilitate your move. We have trusted partners that we can recommend for all aspects of your move – sorting, packing, moving, unpacking, clean out, dumpster rental, etc. We can even oversee the entire process, serving as a single point of contact for you, reducing your work load and your stress. Contact us for a free, personal consultation when the time is right for you!
