By Kelly Corkery
What should seniors be considering when they think about selling the family home?
Honestly, in this market, I always recommend that seniors consider where they will be living next. Think about the financial elements of moving as well as the actual physical layout of their next home. Planning a budget for your move is important. There are costs associated with selling like hiring professionals such as a lawyer and real estate agent or, using a moving company and storage units.
I suggest creating a floorplan and taking measurements of the larger furniture items that you want to bring with you. It’s better to find out if your sofa will fit in your new space now instead of being stuck on moving day.
Something else to consider is if it’s possible to age in place. Do you have access to medical care? Are there easy fixes or renovations that could be used to improve their current home? Additions like better lighting, grab bars or, moving laundry facilities to the main floor can often keep seniors in their homes for longer.
When is the first thing you recommend to a client selling the family home?
It can be difficult to know where to start. I suggest starting NOW. Don’t wait, downsizing to sell a family home full of decades of memories and objects takes longer than you’d expect. Time is major advantage; it allows a gentler approach to making difficult decisions. For example, you can involve family and friends or hire outside assistance, having support, both emotional and physical, is key to reducing the pressure of hundreds of decisions that you’ll have to make.
How do you approach helping a client prepare to downsize? (What steps are involved?)
How do you eat an elephant? I’ve found that the best way to accomplish a significant event like downsizing is to approach it using bite-sized accomplishments. Pick a shelf, a surface, or a closet to get started. I suggest digging into the room or space that causes you the most anxiety. Once you face down a difficult task, it demonstrates that our goals are manageable and achievable.
When I take on a downsizing project, it’s good to be prepared with a few basic tools. An empty laundry bin is useful for misplaced items that belong in other rooms. I try to stick to one room at a time and start in one area. Garbage and recycling bags or bins are helpful to keep close at hand. Creating piles of like items and using labeled boxes helps to determine where stuff belongs. I use categories like: Keep, Toss, Donate, Sell/Consign, Store, Family/Friends.
Declutter, declutter, declutter. Removing excess clutter simplifies your spaces by reducing risk of injuries as well as making cleaning easier. Your time is precious. Keep what you love and get rid of what you don’t. Streamlining your possessions allows you to focus on the move ahead
What are the most common challenges your clients encounter when they downsize?
One of the most common challenges when it comes to decluttering and downsizing are dealing with sentimental objects. Tackling pictures, family history, artwork, personal mementos, and the like can be overwhelming and extremely emotional. I recommend leaving these things until the end of your downsizing project. It’s easy to get wrapped up in nostalgia which can slow or halt the process entirely. It’s also important to remember that letting go of an object does not equate to throwing away the memories associated with the object.
Sentimental clutter can be the hardest to shift. Set realistic goals, work in 30-minute intervals if necessary. Ask for help and take breaks if you’re feeling stuck. Focus on what you should keep rather than what you are throwing away. Choose a lovely box to store precious keepsakes.
Another common challenge is family dynamics. Squabbles over possessions are an unfortunate reality of downsizing. However, it also provides a great opportunity to avoid unnecessary tensions; have sensible discussions as to who gets what or who wants what before it becomes an issue. Label or number items and keep a simple running list in a notebook or spreadsheet.
There are benefits to downsizing. As a Professional Organizer, I find that it’s exceptionally empowering to simplify your own space. Additionally, it encourages you to communicate your wishes to family and friends NOW. That way, there’s absolutely no confusion as to who gets what!
